Rescue Team Equipment
Introduction to Mountain Rescue Team Equipment
Equipment for organized mountain rescue teams vary greatly. Many of these items are used in recreational climbing and many are only typically carried by organized teams specializing in mountain rescue.
Following is a list of equipment examples. Scroll lower to see pictures and descriptions of specific equipment.
Rope: Lengths- Generally between 100 and 200 feet. Low stretch, 9mm-11mm (different colors)
Anchor Material: Webbing- Slings- Sewn 120 cm dyneema runners ( 10mm) *4 Cords-- 7mm cord 50 feet. Rigging Plate: Petzl PAW.
Edge Management: Edge Attendant tether- Edge Protection--
Artificial High Directional: Arizona Vortex (CMC Rescue) or SMC Terr Adaptor (PMI Rope)
Ascension/Descent/Raising Devices: Petzl Rig*2. Freino carabiners-2. Roll clip carabiners-2. Ascenders-2. Rope Clamp-Rescucender-2. Pulleys- 4. Locking carabiners-4
Litter/Basket: Titanium 2 part. Example--Cascade Rescue Professional Series Titanium Litter. Sked litter-1
Wheel: Example- Cascade Rescue Terra Tamer
Basket Rigging: 7mm cord, Red- 50 ft, Other color-50 feet. Petzl Ring (open)-2 Locking Carabiner-4. 4:1 "jigger" mechanical advantage system. Slings- Sewn 120 cm dyneema runners ( 10mm)*2
Pt. Rigging: Cord- 7mm nylon 30 ft. Webbing- 2-3 inch 30 ft.
Pt. Packaging: Pt. protection-Shield, glasses, helmet. Insulation-blanket, sleeping bag. Shelter-Tarp, bivy sack.
Scroll down to see pictures and descriptions of specific examples
Rope
Sterling Super Static Rope.
11mm (7/16) Static. 150 ft each.
Nylon core and sheath.
MBS Rating: 29 Kn
MBS Rating: 6,519 pounds
Weight 100ft: 5.5 lbs.
Elongation at 300 lbs: 2 %
Harness
Easy application harness intended primarily for patient use.
CMC. Pronto Evan Harness
Fits waist size up to 62 inches
Harness
Petzl Corax.
Class Two. Recreational/Light Mountain Rescue. Adjustable self locking buckles.
Non fixed belay/rapell loop on front.
Gear loops on sides.
Pully
CMC. Pro Swivel.
Single sheave.
Combination swivel and pully which reduces friction by orienting the pully into the direction of rope travel.
Press button lock feature.
Lower attachment point facilitates stacked pulleys for mechanical advantage systems.
Friction Hitch Cords
Knotted cord loops for tying friction hitches.
Black: 8mm 25 inch
Green: 8mm 18 inch
Friction Hitch Cord
Bluewater 8mm (5/16) VT Technora cord with sewn looped ends. (Eye to Eye)
The VT or Valdotain Tresse (domineering hair) friction hitch allows for easier "unlocking" of a tightened hitch. Start with three parallel wraps followed by criss cross wraps.
Can be used for numerous other friction hitches as well.
Recommended on ropes from 8mm to 13mm.
Primary use as a rope grab for rappelling back up (third hand), traveling self belay, haul systems and ascending.
Secondary uses include personal tether/anchor , rappel extension and quickdraw/runner (lead climbing anchor extension).
Tensile Strengths: End to End-4400 lbf. Basketed- 6500 lbf. (lbf is pound force and equal to about 0.0045 kn). About 19 and 29 kn respectively.
Anchor
Texora TX-L Wire Sling
Swaged cable anchor with protective polyester sheath.
Built in inspection window for checking wires.
50kn MBS (11,240 hbf)
Ascender/Descender
Petzl Gri-Gri
Personal ascender/descender/belay device.
Assisted Braking device. (mechanical)
Cam assisted blocking.
Handle release.
Progress Capture Pully
Petzl Pro-Traxion
Progress Capture Pully
Efficient loss-resistant progress capture. (holds load with reduced "loss" of captured slack compared to friction hitches.
Recommended for ropes 8mm-13mm.
Breaking Strength: 22 kn
Locking side plate prevents opening during use.
No immediate release feature.
Ascender/descender/belay/progress capture device
Petzl Rig
Locking side gate allows for rope to be connected/disconnected while device remains on anchor. (unlike grid-gri)
Handle release.
Rope compatibility: 10-11.5 mm.
Mechanical Advantage System
Sterling Aztek Elite
Multi-purpose pre-rigged mechanical advantage system.
Applications include adjustable high directional, pickoffs, litter adjustment and raising.
Weight: 3.8 pounds
Body Cord
25 feet of 8mm cord for basket and anchor rigging. (cordellete)