Equipment

Ropes - These are one of the milestones of rope rescue. Nowadays, nylon and polyester ropes are proven to be the most reliable and practical. Different types of ropes have different combinations of core and sheath materials and technologies. Of course, they can be dynamic, low stretch or static; dynamic ropes stretch willingly to absorb the shock from falling, while low stretch and static ropes are more rigid and fit rescue operations well.

Pulleys - These devices serve to produce mechanical advantage and change the direction of the rope’s force. This useful machine works like a lever of different classes, thus giving you a mechanical advantage. If needed, you can build mechanical advantage systems using pulleys, ratchets, anchors, rope, and various connectors.

Harnesses - A harness is a link that connects a person to the safety, retrieval or rescue system. According to the NFPA, there are three categories of harnesses that contain different elements. All of them include, but are not limited to, straps, D-rings, or fastenings around the waist, thighs, and/or shoulders.

Helmets - A helmet is a critical piece of rescue gear. It shouldn’t be bulky or cause discomfort, plus it has to have excellent ventilation and full coverage protection to ensure ultimate safety of a rope rescue technician.

Ascenders - As the name suggests, we use these devices to ascend a fixed tope. This mechanical tool can also be used as a safety cam in a complex rescue system.

Connectors - Connectors are vital elements of any rope based system. They are used to connect different components, such as hurnesses or lanyards. Connectors are often used as anchor points and they usually work along the major axis. They can have screw or automatic locks, thus they should be chosen carefully depending on many factors. A Carabiner is a specific type of a connector that is a metal link used to join gear. Tri-links might be an alternative to carabiners, and are often chosen when there’s a need for three-way loading.

Litter (Rescue Basket) - This is a specific type of rescue stretcher used for carrying an injured person. In most cases, it can accommodate an adult and is used in spaces where there are obstacles to movement. A litter usually has straps that hold the person in the basket, thus making the evacuation process safer.

And So Much More!