High Angle Rope Rescue: A Basic Operational Sequence

An example of a way to get your team organized & set up for success. Taking a few minutes on the front end to lay out the plan so that everyone has a clear understanding will save time in the long run & make for a smoother rescue. Includes the use of a winch & a "Remote Reset" on the 3:1 MA system. Considerations: 1. Conducting a paradoxical movement of the load through the AHD requires a sharp eye on the resultant at the AHD head, as there is almost a guarantee that the resultant will shift significantly to the rear and may generate a "thrust" force on the rear compression member causing it to want to slide backwards... so secure the feet appropriately. 2. When operating a TTRS lower, you can consider omitting the AZTEK belay height adjustment component from the AHD. However, having it pre-rigged does give you more options to change on the fly between SMSB and TTRS for either a lower or a raise. Corrections: 1. The height of the belay line should have dropped with the yoke through the transition instead of after it. We just didn't have another edge person to make it happen. 2. The head of the AHD could have been placed a little more forward so that it is at or slightly forward of the edge, making it an Easel-leg A-Frame instead of an Easel-Leg Tripod, but not critical in this case. 3. It's probably better to leave the Maestro in as the belay instead of the ASAP on the haul. 4. It may be easier and safer to have the litter tender transition through the edge first before bringing the litter in on a paradoxical path in order to reduce the forces in the system.