I keep 2 Petzl Rollclips and 2 regular carabiners in my bunker gear expressly for this purpose. Rollclip to the downed firefighter and another Rollclip up top for the change of direction. We've done similar training using an extension ladder to create the highpoint to assist interior crews with a RIT setup. This is fantastic information.
I think you need to keep it even more simple. I do have experience in this so my opinion is coming from trial and error. You don't need that "2:1" drop loop for lowering. Throw the end of your rope over a top rung and then take your rope bag and wrap a couple of rungs at the foot of the ladder. Done. You can easily hold a firefighter and it's quicker. Your method for attaching the downed FF is sound but you could more easily just tie the rope through his shoulder straps (you don't need a carabiner) ASSUMING you convert his SCBA into a harness. I bring this up because with zero visibility it's hard to line up two points of contact for something as small as the open gate of a carabiner. Also MSA rates their top attachment point for 1,000 lbs if I remember correctly. I would have no problem attaching there if the SCBA is converted. Finally, I had to chuckle a bit with the four pulleys at the top of the ladder. It's just not realistic unless you do it in anticipation but how would you know where to do it? Who is going to round up these pulleys? A single pulley does just fine to cut down on friction as a change of direction and that is a luxury in a high stress and fast environment. Just make a 1:1 (so much faster) and get several people to pull. You have to keep the rapid in Rapid Intervention Team. Good video as always.
Thanks! All valid points. I just showed the 2:1 for consistency & familiarity, as it seems to be the most well known & widely used technique. We’ve moved away from attaching directly to the airpack frame after there was a training incident some years ago where the pack frame broke (& don’t know the full details however).
I keep 2 Petzl Rollclips and 2 regular carabiners in my bunker gear expressly for this purpose. Rollclip to the downed firefighter and another Rollclip up top for the change of direction. We've done similar training using an extension ladder to create the highpoint to assist interior crews with a RIT setup. This is fantastic information.
Right on!
I think you need to keep it even more simple. I do have experience in this so my opinion is coming from trial and error.
You don't need that "2:1" drop loop for lowering. Throw the end of your rope over a top rung and then take your rope bag and wrap a couple of rungs at the foot of the ladder. Done. You can easily hold a firefighter and it's quicker.
Your method for attaching the downed FF is sound but you could more easily just tie the rope through his shoulder straps (you don't need a carabiner) ASSUMING you convert his SCBA into a harness. I bring this up because with zero visibility it's hard to line up two points of contact for something as small as the open gate of a carabiner. Also MSA rates their top attachment point for 1,000 lbs if I remember correctly. I would have no problem attaching there if the SCBA is converted.
Finally, I had to chuckle a bit with the four pulleys at the top of the ladder. It's just not realistic unless you do it in anticipation but how would you know where to do it? Who is going to round up these pulleys? A single pulley does just fine to cut down on friction as a change of direction and that is a luxury in a high stress and fast environment. Just make a 1:1 (so much faster) and get several people to pull. You have to keep the rapid in Rapid Intervention Team.
Good video as always.
Thanks! All valid points. I just showed the 2:1 for consistency & familiarity, as it seems to be the most well known & widely used technique. We’ve moved away from attaching directly to the airpack frame after there was a training incident some years ago where the pack frame broke (& don’t know the full details however).