Yosemite 2010: Rope Rescue Training

Building a monster anchor

As the climbing intern here in Yosemite National Park, I am lucky; I have the opportunity to take part in all kinds of cool training. The most recent one was AST-1 (All-risk Support Technician, Type 1) and also Rope rescue training.

Sorting gear for the Rope Rescue portion

This was 4 days of training, the first covering topics like chain of command during a rescue mission, radio communications, and also some case studies, presented by John Dill, YOSAR legend (Yosemite Search and Rescue). The next three were full days of hands-on rope rescue training.

Practicing mechanical advantage haul systems

We spent those three days on top of granite domes in Tuolumne Meadows lowering 2kn loads (1kn roughly equals 225lbs, so two of our team members plus a litter and rope).

A Mono County SAR member playing attendant for one of our LE Rangers, Bekky.

A technical rope rescue has many positions.

• Ops: The Operations command must synchronize the teams' movements so as to reduce the risk of endangering anyone on the team and reduce the chance of further injuring the party that must be rescued.
  
• Mainline: This team is responsible for lowering the attendant with the litter to the injured party. They then either haul or continue lowering the injured party to the ground.
• Belay: The belay is a secondary safety line in case the mainline fails. They must either feed out line or take it in as necessary.
• Edge attendants: This is one of the most difficult positions, as the edge attendants must watch undue abrasion on the rope and also assist the attendant and injured party up past the edge in case of a haul.
• Safety officer: When it comes to double-checking systems, the more brains the better. The safety officer makes sure all anchors are solid and every team member is managing risk properly.
• Litter attendant (or just attendant): Possibly the most difficult position, second to Ops. They must possess a high level of medical training and be able to move the litter efficiently so as to allow the rescue to progress quickly and also to prevent further injuring the patient.
  

Clay as Edge Attendant


Tamsen rocking Ops.

Cheers, y'all. I will try to post more often (and more pictures) but I am pretty darn busy.