Ropes & Knots.pdf - Los Angeles County Firefighters Association

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM
LOWERING SYSTEM
GENERAL INFORMATION
The ability to construct and operate a lowering system to lower a rescuer to a victim is
one of the most basic and widely used rescue systems. A lowering system is preferred
to rappelling, as it allows the rescuer to have both hands free to tend to the victim. The
construction of this system requires the knowledge of several Department recognized
knots and the ability to assemble basic rope systems (See: Volume 4 Chapter 6.)
The necessary knots required are:
- Figure eight stopper knot
- Figure eight on a bight
- Water knot
- Half hitch
- Larks foot
- Square knot
- Prusik Hitch
- Mariner’s Knot
LOWERING AND SAFETY LINE
1. Constructing a lowering line and a safety line:
a. Attach two separate anchor systems at ground level to one secured
vehicle for main line and safety line.
b. Attach a friction device to the main line, and a Mariner’s Knot with tandem
prusiks to the safety line.
c. Utilize a field rope bag (250') for the lowering line and another field rope
bag for the safety line if the length of the raise is over 100'. (If the length of
the raise is under 100', then one field rope bag can be used for both lines.)