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Ropes & Knots.pdf - Los Angeles County Firefighters Association

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY<br />

FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

OCTOBER


LOS ANGELES COUNTY<br />

FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

ROPES AND KNOTS<br />

2


3<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

ROPES AND KNOTS<br />

1. General Information<br />

<strong>Ropes</strong> used by <strong>Los</strong> <strong>Angeles</strong> <strong>County</strong> Fire Department are of the Static Nylon<br />

Kernmantle design. This means that a braided sheath woven over an inner core<br />

with minimum low stretch. The inner bundles contribute most of the ropes tensile<br />

strength. They are continuous throughout the rope and run parallel, which not<br />

only reduces stretch, but also prevents spin. The load carrying core (kern) is<br />

protected from dirt, abrasion, and cutting by a tightly braided outer sheath<br />

(mantle).<br />

Rope shall be stored in the nylon rescue system packs and shall not be stored in<br />

compartments near fuel or battery storage areas. All rope and equipment shall be<br />

stored inside a compartment.<br />

2. Life Line Rope<br />

With the breaking strength at 9000 pounds, 600 pounds is the maximum<br />

allowable load (working strength) that can be placed on a single line of 1/2-inch<br />

rope (15:1 safety margin).<br />

a. Construction: Static Kern mantle<br />

Material: 100% nylon (type 6.6)<br />

b. Elongation: Less than 2% at 200 lbs.<br />

c. Heat: Melts at 480 F. Becomes sticky at 445 F. Yellows at 300 F.<br />

d. Braid: One over, one under (braid on braid) for high abrasion resistance<br />

e. Core: Continuous block creel construction, parallel nylon fiber bundles, for<br />

low stretch and no spin.<br />

f. Identification: Continuous marker in core bundles gives place, year, and<br />

quarter of manufacture.<br />

g. Service Life: Cannot be determined in advance. It depends on a number<br />

of factors such as; Proper care, frequency of use, type of decenders used,<br />

speed of decent, rock or building abrasiveness, climate, and type of<br />

loading the rope is subject to.<br />

h. Lifeline rope use: After each use, whether training or rescue, an entry<br />

shall be made on the Form 247 assigned to the lifeline.


4<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

3. Equipment Line Rope<br />

ROPES AND KNOTS<br />

An assembly of 85 ft. of 3/8-inch nomial diameter braid on braid nylon rope.<br />

Continuous construction with no "braider" splices. Both ends eye spliced around<br />

zinc plated steel buckles. Drop bag shall never be used on loads over 300<br />

pounds. Life safety ropes should never be used to support live loads.<br />

a. Breaking Strength: 4,620 lbs.<br />

4. Maintenance<br />

Rope shall be inspected and inventoried monthly and noted on Form 248.<br />

Rope shall be kept as clean as possible. Under no circumstances shall rope be<br />

dragged through dirt or grime unless life safety requires such action.<br />

Rope shall be protected from abrasive particles and edges. Scuff pads, hose<br />

rollers, hose or other protective measures shall be used as needed.<br />

Life Lines shall not be used for any other purposes, such as raising or tying off<br />

equipment. In such cases, the rope shall immediately be taken out of service as<br />

a Life Line.<br />

Visually inspect and feel the entire length of rope. Be aware of brittle, broken, or<br />

melted fibers, discoloration, soft spots, inconsistencies in the diameter, spot<br />

abrasions that reveal inner core, foreign particles embedded in the outer jacket,<br />

and any other discrepancies which may harm the integrity of the rope.<br />

Washing the Static Nylon Kernmantle rope shall be performed by chain looping<br />

the entire length of rope. Machine or hand wash using Woolite or comparable<br />

mild soap, warm water, gentle cycle, hang to drip dry.<br />

NOTE:<br />

Additional information on ropes and rescue systems can be found<br />

in Volume 4, Chapter 6.


5<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

5. Responsibility<br />

ROPES AND KNOTS<br />

All personnel shall be responsible for identifying the parts and procedures on<br />

tying fourteen (14) Department knots and one (1) specialized assembly.<br />

6. <strong>Knots</strong><br />

a. Slip Knot (Equipment Tie Off)<br />

b. Round turn and two half hitches (Lashing)<br />

c. Clove hitch (Equipment Tie Off)<br />

d. Larks foot/Girth hitch (Equipment Tie Off,<br />

Taut Prusik Release, Anchoring)<br />

e. Overhand Knot (Safety Tie Off)<br />

f. Double Overhand Bend (Used to form Prusik Loop)<br />

g. Prusik Hitch (Rappel Safety, Braking and<br />

Pulling Cam)<br />

h. Overhand Follow Through/Water Knot (Webbing Loops,<br />

Adjustable Harness Belt when<br />

used for anchoring Points)<br />

i. Bowline (Hose Roller, Litter Tie Off)<br />

j. Figure of Eight (Stopper Knot)<br />

k. Figure of Eight on a Bight (Basic Anchor Knot)<br />

l. Inline Figure of Eight (Modified Trucker's Hitch,<br />

Directional In-line Loop)<br />

m. Figure of Eight Follow Through (For Joining Two Lines)<br />

n. Figure of Eight Follow Through (For Anchor Pt. Tie off)


6<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

7. Specialized Assembly<br />

ROPES AND KNOTS<br />

Modified Trucker's Hitch (Securing Hose Roller, Ladder Rigs, etc)<br />

Mariner’s Knot<br />

8. Tying Off Equipment<br />

All Personnel shall be responsible for safely tying off the following equipment:<br />

a. Axe/Sledge Hammer<br />

b. Cylindrical Object<br />

c. Hand Line<br />

d. Hose Roller<br />

e. Ladder<br />

f. Long Handled Tools: Straight/"D" handled<br />

g. Rectangle Object<br />

h. Chain/Rotary Saw<br />

i. Stokes Stretcher with a Spider<br />

1. Vertical 2. Horizontal<br />

9. Securing Ground Ladder<br />

It is the policy of the Department that the first person to climb a ground ladder<br />

shall secure it to the structure. Personnel are to accomplish this by using a<br />

combination hose/ladder strap, which is acquired as personal issue and is to be<br />

carried in the turnout jacket. This strap consists of a metal hook having a<br />

two-inch opening at one end and a one-inch by seven-foot continuous nylon<br />

webbing at the other end.


7<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

9. Securing Ground Ladder (cont)<br />

ROPES AND KNOTS<br />

To secure the top of the ladder to the structure, the following method shall be<br />

used:<br />

a. Secure the opening of the hook over a window ledge, railing of a fire<br />

escape, or similar object that is attached to the structure.<br />

b. Place the strap over a ladder over that is even with or slightly lower than<br />

the object the hook is attached to. Tie a larks foot/girth hitch on that rung.<br />

NOTE:<br />

Additional information on the procedures of tying Department knots<br />

can be found in<br />

Volume 4. Chapter 6. Subject 4 and<br />

Volume 1. Chapter 5. Subject 2 of the Department Manuals.


8<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

ROPES AND KNOTS<br />

NAME EMP# DATE<br />

WORK LOCATION BN STATION SHIFT<br />

OBJECTIVE: 1. To answer general information questions about Kernmantle<br />

rope specifications.<br />

2. To demonstrate the procedures in tying Department knots,<br />

hitches and to describe the use(s) for each knot tied.<br />

3. To demonstrate the procedure for tying off equipment<br />

4. To demonstrate how to secure ground ladder with hose strap.<br />

EQUIPMENT:<br />

25' section of 1/2 inch utility rope, 85' drop bag, 24' extension<br />

ladder, hose strap, pike pole, chain saw, and E & J resuscitator<br />

box.<br />

DESCRIPTION OF EVOLUTION:<br />

Given:<br />

Adequate rope, anchor point, selected tools for tie off,<br />

ladder, and hose strap.<br />

1. Answer questions about Kernmantle rope specifications<br />

2. Demonstrate ability to tie selected knots.<br />

3. Demonstrate how to tie off selected pieces of equipment.<br />

4. Demonstrate how to tie off a ground ladder using hose strap.<br />

INDIVIDUALS NOT MEETING THE INDIVIDUAL SKILLS STANDARD WILL<br />

REQUIRE ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN THAT SKILL.<br />

INDIVIDUAL HAS MET THE STANDARD: YES NO COMMENTS:<br />

ASSESSMENT AREAS:<br />

1. Answer general questions about rope<br />

specifications.<br />

2. Demonstrate ability to tie selected knots and<br />

name their uses.


9<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

INDIVIDUALS NOT MEETING THE INDIVIDUAL SKILLS STANDARD WILL<br />

REQUIRE ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN THAT SKILL.<br />

INDIVIDUAL HAS MET THE STANDARD: YES NO COMMENTS:<br />

ASSESSMENT AREAS:<br />

3. Demonstrate ability to tie off selected equipment.<br />

4. Demonstrate ability to secure ladder with hose<br />

strap.<br />

RATER


10<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

RATERS ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS<br />

ROPES AND KNOTS<br />

1. What is the design of <strong>Los</strong> <strong>Angeles</strong> <strong>County</strong> Fire Department ropes?<br />

A. Static Nylon Kernmantle<br />

2. The strongest part of the rope is?<br />

A. The core (kern)<br />

3. The breaking strength of Static Kernmantle Life Line is?<br />

A. 9000 lbs.<br />

4. What is the safety margin and working strength of Life Line?<br />

A. 15:1, 600 lbs.<br />

5. What are the working and breaking strengths of 3/8-inch equipment line rope?<br />

A. 300 lbs., 3000 lbs.<br />

6. At what temperature does Static Kernmantle rope yellow?<br />

A. 300 F.<br />

7. How often shall rope be checked?<br />

A. Monthly<br />

8. How many recognized knots does the Department have?<br />

A. Fourteen (14)<br />

9. What shall be used to protect ropes from abrasive edges?<br />

A. Scuff Pads or Hose Rollers


LOS ANGELES COUNTY<br />

FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

LOWERING SYSTEM<br />

11


12<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

LOWERING SYSTEM<br />

GENERAL INFORMATION<br />

The ability to construct and operate a lowering system to lower a rescuer to a victim is<br />

one of the most basic and widely used rescue systems. A lowering system is preferred<br />

to rappelling, as it allows the rescuer to have both hands free to tend to the victim. The<br />

construction of this system requires the knowledge of several Department recognized<br />

knots and the ability to assemble basic rope systems (See: Volume 4 Chapter 6.)<br />

The necessary knots required are:<br />

- Figure eight stopper knot<br />

- Figure eight on a bight<br />

- Water knot<br />

- Half hitch<br />

- Larks foot<br />

- Square knot<br />

- Prusik Hitch<br />

- Mariner’s Knot<br />

LOWERING AND SAFETY LINE<br />

1. Constructing a lowering line and a safety line:<br />

a. Attach two separate anchor systems at ground level to one secured<br />

vehicle for main line and safety line.<br />

b. Attach a friction device to the main line, and a Mariner’s Knot with tandem<br />

prusiks to the safety line.<br />

c. Utilize a field rope bag (250') for the lowering line and another field rope<br />

bag for the safety line if the length of the raise is over 100'. (If the length of<br />

the raise is under 100', then one field rope bag can be used for both lines.)


13<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

LOWERING AND SAFETY LINE cont:<br />

2. Packaging the rescuer to be lowered<br />

a. Use the adjustable rescue belt for a pelvic harness.<br />

b. Use the blue webbing (12') to construct the chest harness.<br />

c. Attach a carabiner to each harness.<br />

3. Line tending:<br />

a. All line tenders shall wear appropriate Personal Safety Equipment<br />

including helmet, goggles and gloves.<br />

b. Provide one-Firefighter to tend the lowering line and another Firefighter to<br />

tend the safety line.<br />

4. Attach the rescuer to the lowering and safety lines:<br />

a. Tie a figure eight on a bight on the ends of the lowering line and safety<br />

lines.<br />

b. Attach pelvic and chest carabiner to the safety line figure eight on a bight.<br />

c. Attach pelvic harness carabiner to the lowering line figure eight on a bight.<br />

d. Lock both carabiners. NOTE: DO NOT BACK OFF THE CARABINERS.<br />

5. Lower the packaged rescuer:<br />

a. Apply tension on the lowering and safety lines.<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

b. Lower the rescuer by slackening both lines and monitor the rescuer's<br />

progress carefully.


14<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

LOWERING SYSTEM<br />

OBJECTIVE: 1.<br />

Demonstrate the ability to safely and efficiently lower a packaged<br />

rescuer by constructing a lowering system with a safety line.<br />

2. To answer general information-questions about rope systems.<br />

3. All operations are to be completed in sequence without safety<br />

violations.<br />

EQUIPMENT: 1. Slightly sloped drill site.<br />

2. Two field rope packs. (250' in length; preferably different colors.)<br />

3. Three red webbing. (22' in length)<br />

4. Four blue webbing. (12' in length)<br />

5. One friction device.<br />

6. Seven carabiners<br />

7. Prusiks, one short and one long, for Tandem Prusik Belay<br />

8. One vehicle (For anchor point)<br />

9. Appropriate Personal Safety Equipment, including helmet, goggles<br />

and gloves.<br />

DESCRIPTION OF EVOLUTION:<br />

1. All personnel will have appropriate personal safety, equipment<br />

donned, including helmet, goggles and gloves.<br />

2. Answer questions about rope systems.<br />

3. Place vehicle at the rescue site.<br />

4. Construct the lowering line and the safety line.<br />

5. Package the rescuer.<br />

6. Tend the lowering line and the safety line.<br />

7. Lower the rescuer.<br />

8. The rescuer communicates when he has reached the victim.


16<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

LOWERING SYSTEM<br />

UNIT STATION SHIFT DATE<br />

NAME<br />

NAME<br />

NAME<br />

NAME<br />

RANK<br />

RANK<br />

RANK<br />

RANK<br />

INDIVIDUALS NOT MEETING THE COMPANY SKILLS STANDARD WILL REQUIRE<br />

ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN THAT SKILL.<br />

COMPANY HAS MET THE STANDARD: YES NO COMMENTS:<br />

1. Develop a rescue plan:<br />

a. The crew leader conducts a size-up of the<br />

rescue problem and determines that a<br />

lowering system will have to be constructed.<br />

b. The crew leader supervises the placement of<br />

the second vehicle.<br />

c. Crew leader discusses the rescue plan with<br />

the crew and makes individual assignments.<br />

Safety officer is assigned as needed.<br />

2. Commence construction of lowering system:<br />

a. Construct lowering line and safety line.<br />

b. Package rescuer.<br />

c. Tend the lowering line and the safety line.<br />

(Two line tenders.)<br />

d. Attach rescuer to both lines.<br />

e. Lower rescuer to victim, the rescuer<br />

communicates when the victim is reached.<br />

RATER<br />

DATE


LOS ANGELES COUNTY<br />

FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

RAISING SYSTEM<br />

17


18<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

RAISING SYSTEM<br />

GENERAL INFORMATION<br />

Once rescuers reach the victim's location, it is often required to convert a lowering<br />

system to a raising to remove the victim and rescuers. This system also works well to<br />

raise a non-injured victim.<br />

The construction of this raising system involves converting a lowering system to a<br />

manpower raise system. Due to a lack of manpower, a mechanical advantage system<br />

may be necessary. If this is the case, Level II skills are required to assemble a<br />

mechanical advantage system. This block of training will utilize Level I skills only. (The<br />

information is contained in Volume 4, Chapter 6, Subject 10.)<br />

The necessary knots required are:<br />

- Figure eight stopper knot<br />

- Figure eight on a bight<br />

- Water knot<br />

- Wrap three, pull two anchor<br />

- Prusik Hitch<br />

CONVERTING A LOWERING SYSTEM TO A RAISING SYSTEM<br />

1. Convert to a raising system with a lowering system in place:<br />

a. Lock off the main lowering line.<br />

b. Attach a prusik (the longer prusik if available) to the main line with red<br />

webbing (22'). Secure the red webbing to the main anchor point. (Volume<br />

4, Chapter 6, Subject 10)<br />

c. Slide the prusik as far as possible towards the load to remove the slack.<br />

d. Slowly untie the friction device and transfer the load to the prusik. Insure<br />

that the prusik sets.<br />

e. Replace the friction device on the main line with a pulley.<br />

f. This completes a manpower raising system.


19<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

CONVERTING A LOWERING SYSTEM TO A RAISING SYSTEM cont:<br />

2. Tending the rope system:<br />

a. Tend the safety line. Keep the tandem prusik belay slightly slack.<br />

b. Tend the raising line.<br />

3. Raising the rescuer to the point of departure:<br />

a. Raise main and safety lines at a safe rate of speed, keeping the tandem<br />

prusik belay slightly slack.<br />

b. Stop the evolution when the rescuer approaches the starting point.<br />

FURTHER DESCRIPTIONS AND VARIATIONS OF ROPE SYSTEMS ARE<br />

ILLUSTRATED AND EXPLAINED IN VOLUME 4, CHAPTER 6.


20<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

RAISING SYSTEM<br />

OBJECTIVE: 1.<br />

Demonstrate the ability to safely and efficiently convert an existing<br />

lowering system to a raising system in order to bring-rescuer back<br />

to the original point of departure.<br />

2. To answer general information questions about rope systems.<br />

3. All operations are to be completed in sequence without safety<br />

violations.<br />

EQUIPMENT: (This is in addition to the equipment required for the lowering system.)<br />

1. Existing lowering system in place, with a rescuer waiting to be<br />

raised back to the point of departure.<br />

2. Three blue webbing. (12' in length)<br />

3. Three prusiks, two long, one short.<br />

4. One pulley.<br />

5. Seven carabiners.<br />

6. One additional vehicle (To use as an anchor point)<br />

7. Appropriate, Personal Safety Equipment, including helmet, goggles<br />

and gloves.<br />

DESCRIPTION OF EVOLUTION:<br />

1. All personnel wi11 have appropriate personal safety equipment<br />

donned, including helmet, goggles and gloves.<br />

2. Answer questions about rope systems.<br />

3. Place additional vehicle at the rescue site.<br />

4. Convert the lowering system to the raising system.<br />

5. Tend all rope systems.<br />

6. One person tends the raising line and one person tends the safety<br />

line.<br />

7. Raise the rescuer back to the original point of departure.


22<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

RAISING SYSTEM<br />

UNIT STATION SHIFT DATE<br />

NAME<br />

NAME<br />

NAME<br />

NAME<br />

RANK<br />

RANK<br />

RANK<br />

RANK<br />

INDIVIDUALS NOT MEETING THE COMPANY SKILLS STANDARD WILL REQUIRE<br />

ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN THAT SKILL.<br />

COMPANY HAS MET THE STANDARD: YES NO REMARKS:<br />

1. Complete the rescue plan:<br />

a. The crew leader determines that the lowering<br />

system will have to be converted to a raising<br />

system.<br />

b. The crew leader supervises the placement of<br />

the second vehicle.<br />

c. Crew leader discusses the rescue plan with<br />

the crew and makes individual assignments<br />

as needed. One person assigned as Safety<br />

Officer.<br />

2. Convert the lowering system to a raising system.<br />

3. Tend all rope systems.<br />

a. One person tends the brake and the raising<br />

line. (Main line)<br />

b. One person tends the safety line.<br />

4. Raising team raises the main line.<br />

5. Evolution has been completed when the rescuer has<br />

been raised back to the point of departure.<br />

RATER<br />

DATE


LOS ANGELES COUNTY<br />

FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

STRETCHER LASHING<br />

23


24<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

STRETCHER LASHING<br />

GENERAL INFORMATION<br />

Stretcher lashing provides for the securing of a victim to the stretcher. Stretcher lashing<br />

can be divided into two categories: Interior Lashing and Exterior Lashing. The condition<br />

of the victim and the rescue system to be utilized will dictate the type of lashing<br />

necessary to provide a safe and comfortable victim package.<br />

INTERIOR LASHING<br />

Definition:<br />

Interior Lashing secures the victim to the stretcher and prevents the victim<br />

from sliding out of the ends of the stretcher.<br />

1. Pelvic lash: (See: Volume 4, Chapter 6, Subject 9, pg. 2)<br />

a. Place the victim in the stretcher.<br />

b. Place the end of a 12' blue webbing under the victim's thighs. Pull the<br />

webbing end until the middle of the webbing is between the victim's legs.<br />

grasp the middle of the webbing, forming a bight, and place it on the<br />

victim's stomach.<br />

c. Lace both webbing ends under and then over the bight. Pull the ends until<br />

the webbing is snug. Tie a half hitch with each webbing End against the<br />

bight.<br />

d. Locate anchor points under the main frame and above the victim's pelvic<br />

area. Secure the webbing ends with a round turn and two half hitches.<br />

2. Chest Lash: (See: Volume 4, Chapter 6, Subject 9, page 4)<br />

a. From a loop with the nylon webbing using an overhand follow through knot<br />

to secure the ends.<br />

b. Place the knot at armpit level on the opposite side of the victim's body<br />

from where attachment is to take place. Bring the two bights of webbing<br />

together at the place of attachment.


25<br />

2. Chest Lash cont:<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

c. Pass one webbing bight through the other.<br />

d. Place your hand through the webbing bight, which was passed through,<br />

and grasp the lower bight.<br />

e. Pull the lower webbing bight through the bight where the hand was<br />

inserted.<br />

f. The hand not in use grasps the bights and pulls the harness snug as the<br />

index finger holds the longer bight in position. Secure the lash with a half<br />

hitch. (See: Volume 4, Chapter 6, Subject 8)<br />

g. Attach the bight (tail) of the chest lash to one of the pre-rigged carabiners.<br />

(See: Volume 4, Chapter 6, Subject 9, page 5)<br />

h. Connect the chest harness to the prerig carabiners.<br />

NOTE: The hasty chest harness knot is also referred to as a "locking larks foot".<br />

3. Lashing victim to Miller backboard:<br />

(See: Volume 4, Chapter 6, Subject 9, page 6)<br />

a. Secure the victim to the backboard in the prescribed manner and place in<br />

the wire basket stretcher.<br />

b. Using the 12' blue webbing, tie the ends together with a water knot<br />

forming a sling, then double in half.<br />

c. Place doubled sling down through the hand hold at the head of the<br />

backboard, under the backboard and up through the hand hold on the<br />

opposite side.<br />

d. Clip both ends of the sling into the carabiners, holding the prerig onto the<br />

head of the stretcher.


26<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

EXTERIOR LASHING<br />

Definition: Exterior Lashing secures the victim within the stretcher and prevents the<br />

victim from falling out.<br />

1. Exterior Lash<br />

a. Lace the end of a 22' red webbing across the middle of the victim's shins<br />

under the main frame. Pull through, evenly on each side of the stretcher.<br />

b. While keeping the webbing under the main frame, cross the webbing ends<br />

at the knee level and exit under the anchor points near the victim's<br />

mid-thigh.<br />

c. While keeping the webbing under the main frame, cross the webbing ends<br />

at the armpit level and then exit under the anchor points near the victim's<br />

stomach.<br />

d. While keeping the webbing under the main frame, cross the webbing ends<br />

at the armpit level and then exit under the anchor points near the victim's<br />

shoulders.<br />

e. Tie one end of webbing to the support, under the main frame, using a<br />

round turn and two half hitches. Pull the slack from the webbing toward<br />

the other end and tie that end off the same as the first end.<br />

NOTE: Illustrations of stretcher lashing and rigging can be found in Volume 4,<br />

Chapter 6 of the Department manuals.


27<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

INTERIOR LASHING EXTERIOR LASHING CHEST LASH<br />

(OPTIONAL)


28<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

STRETCHER LASHING<br />

OBJECTIVE: 1.<br />

Demonstrate the ability to properly secure a victim in a wire basket<br />

stretcher, using the procedures indicated in the Context Training<br />

manual and Volume 4, Chapter 6.<br />

2. To answer general information questions about rope systems.<br />

3. All operations are to be completed in sequence without safety<br />

violations.<br />

EQUIPMENT: 1. Wire basket stretcher.<br />

2. One Miller board.<br />

3. One red webbing. (22')<br />

4. Two blue webbing. (12’)<br />

5. One person acting as a victim.<br />

DESCRIPTION OF EVOLUTION:<br />

1. All personnel will have personal safety equipment donned.<br />

2. Answer questions about rope systems.<br />

3. Personnel will properly interior lash a victim inside a wire basket<br />

stretcher.<br />

4. Personnel will execute an exterior lash, fully securing the victim to<br />

the wire basket stretcher.<br />

5. The evolution is complete when the victim is correctly lashed into<br />

the wire basket stretcher.


29<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

STRETCHER LASHING<br />

UNIT STATION SHIFT DATE<br />

NAME<br />

NAME<br />

NAME<br />

NAME<br />

RANK<br />

RANK<br />

RANK<br />

RANK<br />

INDIVIDUALS NOT MEETING THE COMPANY SKILLS STANDARD WILL REQUIRE<br />

ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN THAT SKILL.<br />

COMPANY HAS MET THE STANDARD: YES NO COMMENTS:<br />

1. Lash the victim to the Miller board.<br />

2. Interior lash of the victim:<br />

a. Pelvic lash<br />

b. Chest lash<br />

c. Use blue webbing (12').<br />

d. Use proper tie-off knots.<br />

3. Exterior lash of the victim:<br />

a. Use 22' webbing.<br />

b. Keep the webbing under the main<br />

frame.<br />

c. Use the proper tie-off knots.<br />

NAME<br />

DATE


30<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

LOWERING/RAISING SYSTEMS - STRETCHER LASHING<br />

1. What type/types of harnesses are used for the packaged rescuer harness?<br />

Answer: Chest harness and pelvic harness<br />

2. In packaging a rescuer, how many carabiners are required in the harnesses?<br />

Answer: Two carabiners<br />

3. What is the length of the red webbing?<br />

Answer: 22’<br />

4. Which harness is the safety line attached to?<br />

Answer: Both the chest harness and the pelvic harness<br />

5. Hog: many persons are required to tend the lowering and raising operations?<br />

Answer: A minimum of two persons is required.<br />

6. TRUE or FALSE. Is the webbing used for the exterior lashing weaved over the<br />

main frame rails of the stretcher?<br />

Answer: False (The webbing is weaved under the main frame rails to prevent<br />

contact or abrasion with obstacles while carrying a victim.)<br />

7. The Hasty Chest harness knot is also referred to as?<br />

Answer: Locking lark’s foot<br />

8. What is the length of the blue webbing?<br />

Answer: 12’


31<br />

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT<br />

CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM<br />

STRETCHER LASHING<br />

INSTRUCTIONS: The Battalion information recorded on this form shall be a<br />

combination of all three shifts Informally Evaluated by the Battalion Chiefs. This form is<br />

to be submitted by<br />

1. The total number of Battalion personnel that<br />

participated in the Informal Evaluation are:<br />

2. The total number of people that were unable<br />

to complete the Informal Evaluation is:<br />

ALL RANKS<br />

3. List any problems encountered in the Informal Evaluation:<br />

ALL RANKS<br />

4. List additional feedback on the Context Training Program:<br />

Prepared by:<br />

Division:<br />

Battalion:<br />

Reviewed by:<br />

Distribution: Original to Battalion Chief files<br />

2 copies to jurisdictional Assistant Chief<br />

Rev. 9-01

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