Appendix F: Rescue Sled Handling

Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol Manual

TBSP uses three types of rescue sleds:

1. Commercial rescue sleds, which can carry both equipment and patients. With these sleds we can carry a full

range of first-aid equipment, including a backboard;

1. Patrol manufactured portable sleds carried by patrollers which weigh 2 - 4 lbs. exclusive of ropes; and
2. Improvised sleds are constructed with materials available at the injury site. This type is used only in cases of

multiple injury or failure of the portable sled, but patrollers must be able to construct such a sled in case such an emergency arises.

The portable sled can be completely constructed using materials in the Portable Sled Module and the patient's skis. The improvised sled can be completely constructed using materials in the Repair Module, the patient's skis and poles and two detachable shovel handles.

The next page of this appendix contains diagrams regarding sled handling. The leader should give all commands for starting, stopping, slowing, and changing of others' position. The followers should communicate any problems to the leader, including difficulty with the terrain, the need to slow down, or the need to halt the sled if someone falls. Pages 2 – 11 of this appendix discuss TBSP rope rescue systems used to raise and lower loaded sleds on steep slopes. Patrollers and candidates must understand the material depicted in this appendix. Sled construction and handling will be thoroughly covered during field training.

Sled Hauling

Moving Toboggan Belay – Wide Trail Flat/Rolling Uphill Downhill Moving Tobbogan Belay – Narrow Trail Flat/Rolling Uphill Downhill

LOW-ANGLE ROPE-RESCUE SYSTEMS FOR USE ON SNOW

This document discusses the construction of low-angle (15° to 40°) rope-rescue systems used on snow. It is not intended to describe either equipment or procedures for low-angle rescue off snow or high-angle rescue. The systems discussed in this document have been designed for backcountry use, where equipment weight is a significant consideration. Rescue Team The TBSP rescue team should include three or four patrollers, allocated as follows: Two main-line tenders (haulers) One belay-line tender (optional) One rescue-sled / patient tender This discussion assumes that each member of the rescue team carries the following personal equipment: One 20’ length of red 1” webbing One 20’ length of 6mm static cord One 5mm prusik loop One descender Two locking carabiners

Terminology Horizontal 3:1 Raising System (Fig. 1, p. 8) – a two-anchor point, three-pulley system that permits hauling perpendicular to the fall line; the “Z” is rigged perpendicular to the fall line Vertical 3:1 Raising System (Figs. 2-3, pp. 9-10) – a single-anchor point, three-pulley system that permits hauling perpendicular or parallel to the fall line; the “Z” is rigged parallel to the fall line 1:1 Lowering System (Figs. 4-5, pp. 11-12) – a system that permits lowering of the rescue sled down the fall line Anchor Point – the tree or other immovable object to which the system is anchored Anchor Webbing – 1” webbing in 12’ (yellow) and 15’ (blue) lengths Anchor – the combination of anchor point and anchor webbing to which a system is attached Anchor Pulley – a pulley attached to an anchor Prusik-Minding Pulley (PMP) – an optional type of anchor pulley attached to the first anchor point that prevents the safety prusiks from being swallowed by the pulley Haul Pulley – a pulley attached to a haul prusik loop Safety Prusik – a prusik hitch that acts as a rope stopper in the event of system failure Haul Prusik – a prusik hitch that pulls on the haul rope during raising Descender – a belay device such as a brake bar rack, Sticht plate, rescue-8 or ATC that is used to control the rope during lowering Load-Releasing System (Fig. 6, p. 13) – a system consisting of three carabiners and a 1” x 48” sewn webbing sling attached to the tandem safety prusiks to facilitate changing the direction of a system Mariner’s Knot – the knot used in the load-releasing system (see Fig. 6, p. 13) Lock-Off Carabiner – a carabiner used to lock the free end of the mariner’s knot to the anchor carabiner TBSP Rope-Rescue Module The TBSP Rope-Rescue Module contains all equipment required to construct a horizontal or vertical 3:1 raising system or a 1:1 lowering system (except belay lines and associated equipment), and also supports reversing the systems:

• One 50 m x 8mm static rope
• Three 5mm static cord prusik loops
• Two 12’ lengths of yellow 1” webbing
• One 15’ length of blue 1” webbing
• One 1” x 48” sewn runner sling or equivalent for Mariner’s Knot
• Nine locking carabiners
• Two Standard Pulleys
• One prusik-minding pulley and One 5/8 inch stainless steel washer
• One brake-bar rack descender