LESSON PLAN

COURSE : Fire Basic Recruit Course (FBRC)

MODULE : V - Basic Rope Rescue Training (BRRT)

SUBJECT : Course Introduction and Safety and Introduction in Rope Rescue

METHODOLOGY : Lecture/Discussion-Demonstration

NUMBER OF HOURS : Twenty (20) Hrs

LEARNING OBJECTIVES : At the end of the lesson, the trainees should be able to:

1. discuss the course overview about Basic Rope Rescue

Training (BRRT) correctly;

2. explain the safety rules in Basic Rope Rescue Training

(BRRT) in sequence and none maybe omitted.

3. enumerate the incidents that utilizes ropes correctly.

4. given four (4) kinds of ropes, the trainees should be able to

identify the ropes according to its construction, classify the
ropes used in the fire service and enumerate the factors that
lower rope strength correctly.

5. perform different kinds of knots and improvised harnesses

used in rope rescue properly at a given amount of time.

6. given a number of rope rescue equipment, the trainees

should be able to categorize it into hardware or software and
determine its uses.

7. appreciate the importance of standard safety factor in rope

rescue operations.

LEARNING AIDS: Multi-Media Projector / Screen, Laptop, white board and marker,
hardware (pulleys, carabiners, rescue 8-ring, ascender cam,
anchor plates, screw links, rappel rack), software (flat web,
kermantle rope, prussiks, manila rope, manufactured harnesses)

REFERENCES: NFPA, IFSTA, Malaysia Handbook for Rope Rescue Technician

and Osaka rope rescue handbook

PPSC/NFTI-SLP1-2016-01
I. INTRODUCTION:

Preparatory Activities

• Opening Prayer
• Introduction of Instructor
• Checking of attendance
• Presentation of the lesson
• Clarification of personal learning

Developmental Activities:

• Film Strips of rope rescue system (Rappelling, High Angle Rescue and Confined
Space Rescue

II. PRESENTATION (Lesson Proper)

• Introduce and discuss the following specific subject areas, given examples to make
point clear when necessary.
• Safety Rules
• Other rescue incidents involving ropes
• .Most common type of rope construction
• Classification of rope in the fire service
• Rope care and maintenance
• Common kinds of knots used in rope rescue
• Different hardware and software used in rope rescue
• Rope rescue standard safety factor

• Emphasize the following Key Points:

• Goal of rescue: 3S’s (Safety, Sureness, Simplicity)
• Maximum working load:
o 1 person life safety rope – 300 lbs (136 Kg)
o 2 person life safety rope – 600 lbs (272 Kg)
• Standard Safety Factor ( 15: 1)
• Rule of thumb:
o If an alloy hardware was dropped from waist height onto a hard surface, it
should not be used in a life safety application until it has been lab tested.
• General Rule:
o One pulley per carabiner

• Summarize the Lesson/Important Points Discussed

 Importance of safety in Basic Rope Rescue Training (BRRT)

IV. APPLICATION

V. TEST
 Formulate test items that are aligned with the learning objectives.
 Closing Prayer
 LESSON TIMETABLE

MODULE : V - Basic Rope Rescue Training (BRRT)

SUBJECT : Course Introduction and Safety and Introduction in Rope Rescue

METHODOLOGY : Lecture/Discussion-Demonstration

DURATION : Twenty (20)

 Four (4) Lectures
 Sixteen (16) Practical Demonstrations

DURATION CONTENT / TOPIC STRATEGY / REFERENCE / EVALUATION /

ACTIVITY TOOLS OUTPUT
Day 1 Introduction NFPA, IFSTA,
10 mins - Opening Prayer Malaysia
- Introduction of Handbook,
Instructor Osaka rope
- Checking of attendance rescue and
- Presentation of the handbook
lesson
- Clarification of personal
learning
5 mins Film Strips of rope rescue Multi-media
system Laptop
Speaker
Microphone
1 hr & 30 Introduce and discuss the Lecture – NFPA, IFSTA, Oral Recitation
mins following topics: Discussion Malaysia
-Safety Rules Handbook,
-Other rescue incidents Osaka rope
involving ropes rescue and
-Most common type of handbook
rope construction
-Classification of rope in
the fire service

15 mins Break
2 hrs Cont… Lecture – NFPA, IFSTA, Oral Recitation
- Rope care and Discussion Malaysia
maintenance Handbook,
-Common kinds of knots Osaka rope
used in rope rescue rescue and
-Different hardware and handbook
software used in rope
rescue
-Rope rescue standard
safety factor
1 hr Lunch Break
2 hrs Knot Tying Demonstration Utility rope,
Gloves
10 mins Break
1 hr & 50 Cont… Demonstration Utility rope,
mins Knot Tying Gloves

DURATION CONTENT / TOPIC STRATEGY / REFERENCE / EVALUATION /

ACTIVITY TOOLS OUTPUT
Day 2 Team Practice Demonstration Ropes and
2 hrs (Knot Tying) gloves

15 mins Break
1 hr & 45 Team Practice Demonstration Ropes and
mins (Knot Tying) gloves

1 hr Lunch Break
2 hrs Team Practice Demonstration Ropes and
(Knot Tying) gloves

15 mins Break
2 hrs Team Practice Demonstration Ropes and
(Knot Tying) gloves

15 mins Break
1 hr & 45 Team Practice Demonstration Ropes and
mins (Knot Tying) gloves

Day 3 Evaluation Ropes and Graded Return

4 hrs (Knot Tying) gloves Demonstration &
Written Exam
 LESSON MANUSCRIPT
(BASIC RESCUE TRAINING)

I. Course Introduction, Safety & Rope Rescue System

Orientation of the course regarding safety rules. Due to the risks associated with the
use of rope rescue tools and equipment and the environment conditions under the Basic Rescue
Training Course, all trainees and personnel involved in any manner with the course MUST follow the
safety rules.

Practice Area – no one is allowed to enter/occupy the practice areas without explicit prior
authorization from the course instructors or from proper authority.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – all participants shall be wearing (in correct manner) all
required personal protective equipment during practice, evaluation, practical exercises and other
activities that may require the use of PPE.

Hygiene – it is highly advised to take a personal sanitation at all times.

Drinking Water – all participants shall carry drinking water to prevent dehydration.

Whistle Signals – the instructor will use the whistle or siren to give alarm signals and alerts in
the work area using the following system: one long whistle/siren: ATTENTION (Stop all work and
listen for instructions.) One long one short whistle: continue working. Three short whistle: Alarm
Signal! (Evacuate the area immediately to a previously designated safety zone.)

Safety Officer – one member of the team will be designated as safety officer who will assist the
instructor in implementing safety-related matters throughout the entire activity and will be clearly and
visibly identified. This person will be, and will have the authority to partially or completely halt the
activity if needed. (Note: Anyone can stop the activity if there’s a foreseen danger.)

Group Safety – Each team leader will also be responsible for the individual in their respective
groups or team. Should you observe any unsafe action or condition, or an emergency, immediately
alert the Instructor/Safety Officer. For this purpose, every will receive an emergency or attention
whistle call to use in an emergency.

Team Safety – all operations involving the use of tools, hardware and equipment should be
conducted in pairs, so that one person can construct such rescue techniques while the other acts as a
safety lookout.

Safety Zone – the safety zone will be used in case of any emergency requiring immediate
evacuation of the work area.

Emergency Medical Services – call the attention of the instructor so as to immediately alert the
Student Nurse Assistant and the EMS, should the need arise.

Maintenance – all participants are responsible for cleaning, maintaining and caring of all tools,
equipment and other items. Additionally, the daily class marcher and the incoming class marcher are
responsible for the accounting, records keeping and issuance of tools and equipment.
 Rotations – each team will be assigned as logistics of the day who will be responsible in the
cleanliness of the classroom area, practice area and over-all preparation for the activity.
Trash – Strictly, No Littering! All trash must be placed into designated trashcans or waste
containers.

Strictly NO SMOKING or DRINKING .

Weather Conditions – the instructor will decide whether exercises can continue in the work
area during inclement weather.

Hazards – report to instructor any objects in the work area that may pose a hazard to anyone.

Safety Violations – any trainee, who repeatedly violated for disregards the safety rules in the
course, endangering him/herself or others, may be expelled from the course at the director of the
course coordinator or any of the rescue staff.

Factors affecting safety during a rescue operation or training:

1. Attitude
2. Unstable Structures
3. Confined Working Spaces
4. Extreme noise, dust, smoke and/or fire
5. Hazardous Tools and Equipment
6. Loitering and Theft
7. Extreme Fatigue and Stress
8. Adverse Weather Conditions
9. Worksite often unfamiliar
10. Horse Playing Attitude

II. LESSON PROPER)

Rescue. Those activities directed at locating endangered persons at an emergency incident,

removing those persons from danger, treating the injured and providing for transport to an appropriate
health care facility.

Rescue Technician – a person who is trained to perform a specific typoe of technical rescue.

Technical Rescue – the application of special knowledge, skills and equipment for the use of
completing safe and efficient rescue operations.

The goal of rescue can be best met if the 3S’s will be considered:

 Safety – is a mindset all rescuers must possess

 Sureness – means that you and your team are absolutely confident that you
have been given the training and acquired the skills available.
 Simplicity – is not as simple as it sounds; the simplest way is often the most
effective.
 Rope Rescue – is defined as any rescue effort that requires rope and related equipment to
safely gain access to, and remove patients from, hazardous geographic areas with limited
access such as mountains, high rise buildings, above or below grade structures, by means of
rope system.

Other rescue incidents involving rope

Rope Rescue System - A system comprised of rope rescue equipment and an appropriate
anchor and MA system intended for use in the rescue of a subject.
 Equipment category

• Software

• Hardware

S O F T W A R E - refers to rope, webbing, accessory cord and harness which can be used alone
or in combination to protect rescuers and victims.

R O P E S - is one of the oldest tools used by the fire service. It is very valuable for applications
such as hauling tools, accomplishing rescues of different elevations, stabilizing
vehicles and cordoning off areas.

MOST COMMON TYPES OF ROPE CONSTRUCTION:

Laid Rope – composed of three strands twisted together to form the final rope.
Twisted ropes are susceptible to abrasion and other types of physical damage.

Braided – compare to laid rope, it

Braid-on- braid – also a jacketed

the inner core of the rope.

Kernmantle Rope - jacketed

type. Composed of braided covering or sheath (mantle) over the load-
bearing strands (kern). Common rope used as “life safety rope”.
 2 Types of Life Safety Rope (kernmantle):

Dynamic (high stretch)

- elasticity is 60% of its length without breaking

- for long falls such as rock climbing to reduce the shock of impact on both the climber and
the anchor system
- disadvantage is raising or lowering heavy loads

Static (low stretch)

- elasticity is 20% of its length without breaking

- suitable for raising and lowering heavy loads
- Mostly used in rappelling and in other instance where only very short falls are a possibility.
-
STANDARD SAFETY ON KERNMANTLE

According to the NFPA 1983-95 Standard, life safety rope is designed “for supporting people
during rescue, fire fighting, or other emergency procedures, or during training evolutions”.

Life Safety Rope (kernmantle) must have a minimum breaking strength of;

- 4,500 lbs for a single person load of 300 lbs (includes rescue equipment)
- 9,000 lbs for a two-person, 600 lbs load (including equipment).

Therefore, the safety factor is 4500/300 lbs. and 9000/600 lbs or 15:1 for both one-person and
two-person line.

Size Minimum Breaking Strength

6mm 2,500
8mm 3,500
9mm 4,500
12.7 mm (1/2”) 9,000

Maximum working load:

1 person life safety rope – 300 lbs (136 Kg)
2 person life safety rope – 600 lbs (272 Kg)
Rope Care and Maintenance

1. Use edge protection to avoid abrasion.

2. Redirect rope away from sharp objects and edges.

3. Fast or rapid rappels should be avoided-because friction causes excessive heat build-up that
can damage the rope.

4. “Bouncy” rappels should likewise be avoided, -they cause unnecessary shock loading and
may cause the rope to “saw” and abrade over an unprotected edge. A cut easily propagates
completely through a tensioned rope once it is initiated.

5. Rope should be kept away from sulfuric acid (battery acid), other strong acids, bleach, ultra
violet light and excessive heat.

6. Rope should be carefully inspected when first purchased, after each use, and after cleaning.
Sliding the rope through hands to feel for any damage like, deformities, changes in
diameter, soft spots, bulges and thin areas. When an abnormality found, or if the rope
sustains a substantial shock load, the rope should be immediately taken out of service.

7. Do not step on rope or drag it along the ground.

8. Do not use rope while in a twisted unnatural state; this might cause extreme crimping or
kinking to avoid delay of deploying the rope. Nor should you keep a load hanging for a long
period of time.

9. When setting up a rope to carry people or materials, use a rope having proper length for the
job so that no knots need to be made except for the ends.

FACTORS THAT LOWER ROPE STRENGTH:

Kink/Untwined – the deformity when the rope is improperly uncoiled, the twisting and
untwisting becomes concentrated at a single point in the rope.

Shear – rope has been placed at the edge of a concrete structure and is moving side to side
(lateral friction). It is as if being cut by a knife.

Knotting – the tighter the bend, the more strength is lost.

Rubbing – rope get damaged when carabiners and other materials run through it due to friction.
This causes the filament to be cut-off (fluffy)

Water absorption
Ultraviolet ray (sunlight) – this causes the rope to become stiff and lose its flexibility

Attachment of foreign object – sand and dust particles may go inside the rope which cut-off the
filaments. This damage is mostly invisible to the naked eye.
Fatigue due to repeated load – this causes elongation.
What are….

Knot - a fixed, non-moveable place on a piece of cordage that is achieved through turns,
bends and tie-offs.

Bend - is the intertwining of two ends of rope

Hitch - A knot that attaches to or wraps around an object, and when the object is removed,
the knot will fall apart

Loop – An element of a knot created by forming a complete circle in a rope.

ELEMENTS OF A KNOT:

Bight – The open loop in a rope or piece of webbing formed when it is doubled back
on itself.

Loop – made by crossing the side of a bight over the standing part

Round turn – consists of further bending of one side of a loop

Parts of a Rope when making knots

  Most rescues takes place under severe environmental conditions, thus, rope rescue
technicians should be able to do knots..

under stress / pressure

in the dark
when cold
using only one hand
and with diminished physical activity

 The inability to do knots may be a sign of a lack of desire to develop the basic skills to be a
safe team member.

Common kinds of KNOT

Overhand knot Barrel knot Figure 8 knot

Bowline

Triple Bowline

In-line
Figure 8
ROUND TURN TWO HALF HITCH Butterfly Knot

Common kinds of BENDS

Square knot / Reef knot Sheet bend

WATER KNOT FISHERMAN’S KNOT

DOUBLE FISHERMAN’S KNOT

Common kinds of HITCHES

 Munter / Italian

Timber hitch

Clove hitch Cow hitch

Prussik / Double cow hitch

 Common kinds of LOOP

Figure 8 on a bight Loop Knot

QUALITIES OF A GOOD KNOT:

 It can easily be tied and untied even after loading

 Easy to determine if tied correctly

 Once tied, it remains tied

 Minimal effect on rope strength

W E B B ING

It is preferable to rope because of the following reasons:

 In constructing a harness, it lies flat against the body and provides better support.

 An excellent material to use for slings for it loses very little strength when bent around
a carabiner.

 It is relatively inexpensive, lightweight, easy to tie and can be cut to short lengths for
many uses.

2 Basic Forms:

Flat Webbing – it is stiffer and difficult to tie into knots. 1 inch flat web generally has an MBS of
6000lbs.

Tubular Webbing – more supple and easier to tie. 1 inch tubular web has an MBS of 4000lbs.
2 types:

Edge-stitched

Spiral weaved

Webbing of different construction

 Anchor Sling

 Anchor loop
 Accessory Cord – is a kernmantle rope (static) of a small
diameter commonly used for breaking, hauling and
ratcheting.

H A R N ESS

2 GENERAL TYPES:

1. Those identified in NFPA 1983 as Class I, Class II and Class III

Class I – this type of harness fastens

around the waist and around thighs or
under buttocks and is intended to be
used for emergency escape with
one-person loads

Class II – may appear to be identical

with Class I harness, the difference is
in their rated working loads which can
only be determined by reading the label on
the harness.

Class III- same with Class II harness but can this type of
harness can fasten over the shoulders for it is designed to
support two-person loads and to prevent inverting.

2. In the absence of a manufactured harness, rescuers should know how to construct life
 safety harness using the equipments available on scene-ropes, webbing and carabiners.

Improvised Harnesses:

- Seat harness

Emergency harness Lifeline

Rescue Sling

H A R D W A R E - The term hardware refers to the mechanical devices needed to safely and
fully utilize rescue rope and to construct mechanical advantage systems with rope
KINDS OF HARDWARE

. Load-Bearing Fasteners

o Carabiners

o consists of an open metal

loop with a hinged gate to close

the opening.

The NFPA standard 1983-95 states that :

All hardware used in rescue work should be LOCKED such as carabiners and tri-link/screw links.

Typically, aluminum carabineers are used for “Personal use” attachments rated at 5500 lbs and steel
carabineers are used for all systems application rated at 9000 lbs.

Four Classification of Carabiner:

. Type I - has one safety device, such as a spring-loaded snap-link.

.Type II - has two, a spring-loaded gate hinge plus screw lock.

. Type III - has three, a spring-loaded gate hinge plus screw lock and a spring-loaded
twisting motion to the lock.

. Type IV has four - spring-loaded gate hinge, spring-loaded 9vck, spring-loaded,

twisting motion to the lock and a safety button to open the lock.

Safety summary on carabiners:

1. Carabiners are strongest when loaded vertically along the spine and are weakest when loaded
horizontally or diagonally across the gate. They are designed to be loaded in one direction only.

2. It is dangerous to triple load a carabiner. Use a triangular screw link instead of a carabiner.

3. The gate should point “down hill”. This will counter act the effects of gravity and lessen the
chances of the gate vibrating open.
4. Do not use oil or grease/base lubricant on carabineers. Try using an air hose for gates that are
stuck or slow to operate.

5. If the carabiner still give you grief, get rid of it, a small price to pay for safety.

Retire carabiners that show..

1. Sharp edges or burrs

2. Cracks
3. Weak gate
4. Lose or bent gates rivets
5. Deformity
6. If it known to have been shock loaded

Care of carabineer and other hardware

. Avoid dropping or throwing
. Keep clean and free of dirt
. Do not oil

Rule of thumb :

If the carabiner was dropped from waist height onto a hard surface, it should not be used in a
life safety application until it has been lab tested.

What is a kilo Newton (kN)?

• The Newton [N] is the derived SI unit of force. One Newton is the force required to give a mass of 1
kilogram an acceleration of 1 meter per second per second. It is named after the English
mathematician and physicist Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727).

• With a prefix of kilo gives Newtons a multiplication factor of 1000 (or 103) hence a kN is a 1000
Newtons.

• To work out force you multiply mass and acceleration (f=ma).

• For example imagine a 100kg person hanging free on the end of a rope being acted on (accelerated)
by the force of gravity.

Force (N) = Mass (kg) x Acceleration (m/s2)

= 100kg x 10 m/s2
= 1000kg. m/s2
= 1000N
= 1kN

Force (f) = mass (m) x acceleration (a)

Mass (m) = force (f) / acceleration (a)
= N / m/s2
 = K (kg.m)
s2
m
s2

How to read the symbol?

Figure 8 Rings - Use for descending or to obtain control over an object being lowered.

Types:

Rescue 8 ring can be used with ropes ranging from 3/8" to 5/8" in diameter
and features extended “horns” on the upper portion of the large ring to
prevent rope from sliding up and locking off.

The Standard 8 ring can be used with 3/8" to 1/2" diameter

ropes It can be used to lower a single person; however, it
should not be used under rescue loads with two or more
persons.

The square shape reduces twisting of the ropes and formation of a

lark’s head knot.
Other descending device

o Tri-links – are similar to carabiners

but they have screw-type locking
sleeve to close the opening and they
are usually triangular or semicircular
in shape. They are designed for
multidirectional loads only.
 Rescue Rings – designed to be used when a
multidirectional load must be
supported.

Swivels – applied at the point of attachment to the anchor, this

device prevents the twist that sometimes develops in the
mechanical advantage systems. This twist develops a significant
amount of friction into the system.

Anchor plates – also called belay plates, these are braking devices used to stop or slow the
descent of a rescuer if the lifeline fails. These devices may also be used for attaching
multidirectional loads.
 Pulley
- Rescue pulleys are most often used to create MA for hauling operations. Many times,
pulleys can be used to change the direction and point of application of a rope in a way that
protects the rope from damage and keeps friction to a minimum

Single Sheave
Prussik Minding Pulley

Single Sheave Pulley Double Sheave Prussik Minding Pulley

Tandem Pulley

Knot Passing Pulley

(KOOTENAY)

Hauling Pulley
 • As a general rule, one pulley per carabineer, more than one
pulley per carabineer will greatly increase the chances of
side loading the carabineer, and decrease the efficiency of
the pulleys.

Ascender Cam