This page contains a variety of useful and interesting information to help shed light on some of the more technical aspects of vertical rescue. It also has a "trouble-shooting" section where the dangers and implications of potential problem areas are explained.

Making up the "Bolt On" Hauling System

An easy way to construct the bolt on hauling system is as follows :

1/ Calculate the ratio required given the size of the group, the weight to be hauled etc - the Rescue Controller can advise if you are unsure.
2/ Gather the pulleys, carabiners and a length of rope ( eg: a 4:1 system will need around 40 metres of rope if you are operating in a 10 metre area - 4 X 10 = 40)
3/ Position the pulleys one metre apart
4/ Thread the rope through the pulleys and attach the carabiners
5/ Attach the ascender to the lower end
6/ Pick up the whole system (with one pulley group in either hand) and clip it in to the anchor system

The advantage of assembling the system in a small area is that it easier to conceptualise the final arrangement of ropes AND it is easier to eliminate twists or cross-overs of rope.

Which end does the fixed end of the rope go in a BOLT-ON system?

If constructing an "even" ratio like 2,4 or 6, the fixed end goes at the "top" (the anchored end), while in an "odd" ratio like 3 or 5, the fixed end goes at the "bottom" (the end near the ascender/ rescue line). Check the "Pulleys & Mechanical Advantage" page and you'll see the diagrams.

Hauling through an overhang -- danger! -- danger!

This is potentially one of the most dangerous things that can happen on a vertical rescue. If a patient (either in a litter OR free hanging / alone OR with a rescuer) is pulled up tight under an overhang or roof during a haul then the results can be catastrophic.

The hauling team has great powers of mechanical advantage and can quickly and easily break a rescue line. In the past this has happened (--not with our group!--) without the hauling team even realising that the rescue line had broken.

It is also possible to severly injure the rescuer or patient. It is imperative that the patient is fully enclosed in a litter - a finger or arm caught betwen the metal edge of a litter and the rock face could be torn away if pulled through a small overhang. The rescuer must take care never to place any part of his/her body in a position where it could be jammed and damaged.

Remedies -

Effective communications. In the absence of radio communications ("coms"), "coms relay" people must be positioned on rope/s to maintain a visual and verbal link with the rescuer/patient.

Rescuer must have a whistle - a single long blast means STOP.

Rescuer can call for a STOP just before the overhang if repositioning is required in order to successfully manage the passing of the overhang.

Silence at the cliff top is imperative - so that a STOP command or whistle signal is heard by the hauling team.

This scenario is an addition reason to use a separate belay line as detailed in our Standard Hauling System page.

The rescuer or patient must never place themselves in a position where they can be jammed between the litter and the rock face or overhang.