Ropes & Knots.pdf - Los Angeles County Firefighters Association

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
CONTEXT TRAINING PROGRAM
RAISING SYSTEM
GENERAL INFORMATION
Once rescuers reach the victim's location, it is often required to convert a lowering
system to a raising to remove the victim and rescuers. This system also works well to
raise a non-injured victim.
The construction of this raising system involves converting a lowering system to a
manpower raise system. Due to a lack of manpower, a mechanical advantage system
may be necessary. If this is the case, Level II skills are required to assemble a
mechanical advantage system. This block of training will utilize Level I skills only. (The
information is contained in Volume 4, Chapter 6, Subject 10.)
The necessary knots required are:
- Figure eight stopper knot
- Figure eight on a bight
- Water knot
- Wrap three, pull two anchor
- Prusik Hitch
CONVERTING A LOWERING SYSTEM TO A RAISING SYSTEM
1. Convert to a raising system with a lowering system in place:
a. Lock off the main lowering line.
b. Attach a prusik (the longer prusik if available) to the main line with red
webbing (22'). Secure the red webbing to the main anchor point. (Volume
4, Chapter 6, Subject 10)
c. Slide the prusik as far as possible towards the load to remove the slack.
d. Slowly untie the friction device and transfer the load to the prusik. Insure
that the prusik sets.
e. Replace the friction device on the main line with a pulley.
f. This completes a manpower raising system.