On March 18th Carson City SAR performed a Rope Rescue Practical. Building on classroom and hands-on work that we had completed over the last number of months, the Team headed up near the tanks on Ash Canyon Road to a nice steep angle spot just above the creek.
Building a RPPM
RPPM
The training lead said we were “going over-kill” for this event in order to employ and practice additional techniques. Using the Incident Command Unit as a back-up anchor, Team Members built and employed a couple of different webbing anchors with a Transport Hitch and a 3:1 with a brake to “back-up” SAM2, Jeep Cherokee. While this was going on a second team was building a “Rack, Pulley, Pulley, Mariners Hitch” (RPPM) and attaching it to SAM2 as the Belay Station. Simultaneously, a third team was building another RPPM and attaching it to SAM7, the Ropes Truck, as the main Lower and Haul point.
Using the Incident Command Unit as a back-up anchor
The rescue rope was then run through a change-of-direction Kootenay Pulley at the front of SAM2 to the rescue litter, while the belay rope was run directly to the rescue litter and our patient for the day, “Rescue Randy” (borrowed from Carson City Fire Department). Using a three-person litter team the group was able to cycle everyone through multiple stations; Litter Team, Lower/Haul, Belay, Scene Leader/Edge Attendant, giving everyone “field” training in the tasks.
Over the edge
Everyone had a great time (especially our very recently recruited members), we learned a lot, and with the help of some great photos, also noted areas where we could improve. Thanks to Greg, Chris, and Dave for snapping photos in Jeff’s absence. Thanks to Sierra Rescue and Specialized Rescue for the instruction/certifications to help us get the Team to this point. And thanks to CCFD for lending us Randy.
“Rescue Randy” is saved!
More photos from the training HERE.
Carson City Sheriff's Search and Rescue 