Rescue Practice Day - Report - Mt York 10/7/96

Present : Lucy Bligh, Bruce Cameron, Richard Delaney, Andrew Jones, Greg Moore, John Overton,

Colin Robshaw, David Stayte, Lucas Trihey. The day started with an introduction by Lucas Trihey and Richard Delaney including an explanation of the work of the steering committee so far. Questions and discussion followed. Colin briefed the group on packaging a patient in a litter using two types of stretchers (stokes and a plastic type) to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

The group then looked at ways of setting up a lower and haul system and practised a short lower and haul on the sloping rock above the track.

The group then conducted three rescue scenarios -

1/ Patient immobilised beneath the roof on Lishenbak, rescuer lowered in to collect patient and then both were hauled out. No litter used, patient and rescuer clipped together.

2/ Patient was immobilised at base of cliff 10m left of Aunty Jack, rescuer and litter lowered in, patient placed in litter by attendant, both hauled to top. Larkin Frame was used. 4:1 hauling system was upgraded to 6:1 due to small number of haulers.

3/ Patient was immobilised at base of cliff 4m left of Lishenbak, rescuer and litter lowered in, patient placed in litter by attendant, both hauled to top. No Larkin used, edge was managed with edge rollers and assistants on ropes at edge to get rescuer and litter back over the edge.

Conclusions :

1/ Stokes Litter is a superior litter for cliff and helicopter rescues, a new type of stokes which can be disassembled into two sections is eagerly awaited by rescue authorities.

2/ The group decided to always use a separate belay rope from an independent anchor.

3/ Litter attendant should be equipped with spare ascenders/prussiks and slings to level the litter if required during the ascent.

4/ Attendant attachment - the rescue line is attached to the suspension point of the litter with an Alpine Butterfly leaving a tail of 2.5 metres. Attendant ties into end of rescue line through harness then uses ascenders to position him/herself relative to litter. The mobility gained by this method was an important advantage.

5/ Any rescuers being lowered in on a rescue line (either with or without a litter) should tie the rescue line direct into the harness to avoid the possibility of becoming disconnected accidentally.

6/ Twist or Barrel lock carabiners are not acceptable.

7/ Reversible brake is always used in a hauling system but not during a lower as long as a separate belay rope is used (as per point 2).

8/ Two people should always operate a lower to facilitate smooth rope pay out and assistance with locking off or adjustment of friction on the lowering device.

9/ 3 haulers can operate a 5:1 system with 2 bodies and litter. 4:1 was just a bit too hard. More haulers make a huge difference and a quicker haul would be achieved with the 4:1 (or even 3:1 or 2:1) with a bigger hauling team.

10/ Minimum team is as follows : Litter attendant

Edge Controller / Communications (2 people sometimes)

Belayer

3 Haulers / lowerers

11/ Reversible brake needs to be directly in line with anchor to ensure efficient lock off so that patient and attendant don't drop down during resetting of the hauling system.