BASIC

ROPEMANSHIP
 Bureau of Fire Protection
Catbalogan City Fire Station
SPECIAL RESCUE FORCE

BASIC
ROPE
RESCUE
TRAINING
09955322202 catbalogancentralfs@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/bfp.catbalogan
Fundamentals of Rope Rescue System
RESCUE PHILOSOPHY
1. Rescue – necessitates a plan that has the lower risk, simple and does not
involve lots of equipment.
2. Training – enhances capability and more skills, are eventually added
3. Instructors – possess rational thinking and teach based on knowledge earned.
Knowledge gained from training and actual experiences
4. Research – to upgrade the capability of a rescue team
Fundamentals of Rope Rescue System
Four Elements of Successful Rescue
1. Training – skills and concepts learned
2. Practice – proficiency in different rescue modalities
3. Experience – adjustment on current methods and improvement of techniques
4. Judgement – Logical approach and performance

Rescue Priorities
5. Self – rescuers’ life always comes first
6. Team – responsibility of looking over each other’s safety, teamwork
7. Victim – when priorities are secured, victim’s safety could easily be provided
Tactical Consideration
Four Phases of Tactical Consideration
Phase 1: Assessment upon Arrival – (Gathering information)
Phase 2: Pre-Rescue Operation – (Planning IAP)
Phase 3: Rescue Operation – (Implementation of IAP)
Phase 4: Termination – (Retrieval)
Objectives
 To identify different kinds and types of rope.
 To learn the knot classifications and its usage.
 Provide knowledge on rope management and kinds of knot tying.
Overview
 Kinds of Ropes
 Rope Characteristics
 Knot Classification and Usage
 Rope Management
 Anchor & Anchor System
 Kinds of Knot Tying
Parts of a Rope
Kinds of Ropes
Natural Fibre Ropes – ropes made from natural materials such as hemp and cotton.
Disadvantages:
When wet, it swells, making it extremely difficult to untie the knot.
The rope also tends to quite brittle. Elements such as harsh sun and
chemicals also tend to weaken rope.
Kinds of Ropes
SYNTHETIC ROPES – made from one continuous length, they are lighter than ropes
made from natural fibers and are available in variety of colors.
They also have high tensile strength and outstanding load- bearing qualities;
they are capable of absorbing shocs.
ROPE CHARACTERISTICS
 DYNAMIC ROPES – this design of rope is purposely made to be stretchy (usually
40% to 60% of its original length). It is designed to absorb more
impact, minimizing the shock to the body, equipment, victim, and
preventing injury to the rescuer.
ROPE CHARACTERISTICS
 STATIC ROPES – with a very low stretch up to 6% and is weaker than dynamic
ropes but maybe advantageous to certain raising and lowering
situations. It is not designed to absorb impact of a fall, as in a shock load.
(Ropes without stretching capabilities are weaker than dynamic ropes)
ROPE CLASSIFICATIONS
 LAID ROPE – is constructed in a twisted manner having no external protection and
is mostly static in character
ROPE CLASSIFICATION
 KERNMANTLE ROPE – is composed of two parts: the sheath (kern) and the core
(mantle). The sheath is protective cover which carries
smaller percentage of the load while the core carries most of the system
load.
ROPE CLASSIFICATION
AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT – ROPE
Auxiliary Rope – usually made from laid rope, 12.5mm in diameter and 4.5m length
used on

I. Seat harness
II. Emergency seat harness
III. Stretcher suspension
IV. Internal lashing
V. Anchor sling
VI. Low angle rescue sling
ROPE CHARACTERISTICS
AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT – ROPE
10 METER ROPE – usually made from laid rope, 12.5mm replaces the use of flat web
in securing the various points of the rope system such as:

I. External Lashing - stretcher

II. Picket system lashing
III. Load releasing system
IV. Anchor sling

3 METER ROPE – usually made from laid rope, 12.5mm used mainly as the ratchet
and hauling prusik in the rope system
ROPE CHARACTERISTICS
Life safety rope is considered for reuse if:
 Rope has not been visibly damaged
 Rope has not been exposed to heat, direct flame impingement, or abrasion
 Rope has not been subjected to any impact load
 Rope has not been exposed to liquids, solids, gases, mists, or vapours of any chemical
or other material that can deteriorate rope
 Rope passes inspection when inspected of qualified person following the
manufacturer’s inspection both before and after each use
If the life safety rope does not meet all the above-stated conditions, the rope must be
disposed or cut into shorter lengths to be used as utility rope.
ROPE CHARACTERISTICS
Life safety rope is considered for reuse if:
 Rope has not been visibly damaged
 Rope has not been exposed to heat, direct flame impingement, or abrasion
 Rope has not been subjected to any impact load
 Rope has not been exposed to liquids, solids, gases, mists, or vapours of any chemical
or other material that can deteriorate rope
 Rope passes inspection when inspected of qualified person following the
manufacturer’s inspection both before and after each use
If the life safety rope does not meet all the above-stated conditions, the rope must be
disposed or cut into shorter lengths to be used as utility rope.
KNOT CLASSIFICATION and USAGE
The different knots are classified according to its usage. These are the STOPPER
KNOTS, HITCHES, LOOPS, BENDS, and SPECIAL KNOTS
THE STOPPER KNOT
The STOPPER KNOT is configured to prevent rope end from unravelling, from slipping
through the knot itself and for securing loose ends.
1. Overhand Knot
1. 2.

2. Figure of 8 Knot
KNOT CLASSIFICATION and USAGE
THE HITCHES
The HITCHES are configured as a means of attachment to an object.
1. Clove Hitch – works best on a direct anchor system on a round anchor point
2. Timber Hitch – works best on a direct anchor system on a round anchor point and also for
securing other round objects such as barrels or timbers
2.
1.
KNOT CLASSIFICATION and USAGE
THE HITCHES
3. Cow Hitch – used when hoisting objects, securing ladder, as a tug line attachment on a stretcher and
other special purposes

4. The Half Hitch – secures the working end after an inherently loose knot is configured

3. 4.
KNOT CLASSIFICATION and USAGE
THE HITCHES
5. Italian Hitch – is a friction-producing knot, reversible and works best when lowering object through
carabiner or any smooth and round object

6. Prusik Hitch – is a friction producing knot which is used as rope grab

5. 6.
KNOT CLASSIFICATION and USAGE
THE LOOP
The LOOP is configured as a system connecting point. These knots do not require safety
knot because they are considered as an inherently tight knots.
1. Overhand Loop – used for attaching clips, hooks, other rope, etc.
2. Figure of 8 Loop – used in climbing and caving where rope strains are light to moderate

1. 2.
KNOT CLASSIFICATION and USAGE
THE LOOP
3. Double Figure of 8 Loop – loops are intended for a large surface of contact which provide
additional strength and multi-connection point

4. The Bowline – has loop that doesn’t change in diameter but requires a safety knot

3. 4.
KNOT CLASSIFICATION and USAGE
THE LOOP
5. In Line Figure of 8 Loop – provides connection point for system components at the mid-section
of a rope

6. The Butterfly Loop – is a strong midline know which could be pulled at any direction

5. 6.
KNOT CLASSIFICATION and USAGE
THE LOOP
7. The Double Bowline – is a double loop that provides connection or attachments to an object or
person

8. The Triple Bowline – is used for securing an unconscious person during a lowering/raising
operation

7.

8.
KNOT CLASSIFICATION and USAGE
THE BEND
BENDS are rope configuration that joins two ends of ropes, cords or webbings.
1. Figure of 8 Bend – joins ropes with the same diameter and requires no safety knot due to its
inherently tight configuration

2. Square Bend – type of knot could be quickly untied even after a heavy loading and requires safety
knot

1. 2.
KNOT CLASSIFICATION and USAGE
THE BEND
3. Double Fisherman's’ Bend – it is used in joining ropes with smaller diameter and does not
require safety knot

4. Water Bend – used to join two flat ends (flat web)

3. 4.
KNOT CLASSIFICATION and USAGE
THE SPECIAL KNOTS
The SPECIAL KNOTS are a combination of knots configured to serve a certain purpose
1. Seat Harness – is an improvised rope configuration that is tied around the person’s waist and thigh
for securement and connection during rappelling

2. Life Line – is a rope configuration that is attached to the waist and has a tail intended to be attached
on a secured object or anchor point to prevent the wearer from falling

3. Emergency Seat Harness – is made out of a joint auxiliary rope using square knot and is
wrapped around a person’s mid-section for securement and attachment to the rescuer’s system during a rescue
operation

4. Double Bowline and Chest Harness – is a rope configuration which is designed to cater the
need of securing an unconscious victim while being lowered or hauled. This prevents the possibility of the
victim from overturning