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Permit: Your Permit Number
Leader: Terry DeFraties
date: 10 & 11 January 2004
manager: Hartley
Assessment: Convention Hall
participant1: Terry DeFraties (6)
participant2: Mike McKinney (28)
participant3: Kyle McKinney (45)
participant4: Bill Gee (114)
participant5: Pam Rader (122)
TimeIn: 1500
TimeOut: 2130
Damage: No
Date: Saturday January 17, 2004
Time: 02:36 PM
purpose:
Purpose of Trip: Rig & test rescue haul system (both days.) Go to Convention
Hall (10th) and assess rescue needs.
details:
SUMMARY: We went to Convention Hall looking at rescue evac needs. We
incorporated the existing 4:1 block & tackle into a haul system and tested it.
While it can and did work, there were some problems and complications which can
be solved if necessary, although we do not recommend keeping it.
SATURDAY: Saturday morning we incorporated the existing 4:1 block & tackle into
a haul system able to evacuate from the bottom of the entrance shaft a person in
a harness or a litter carrying a person. We packaged Rescue Randy, a 185 pound
mannequin loaned to us through MCFPD, in Mike’s Stokes basket. We rigged webbing
“Maypole” edge lines from the pipe above the rescue hatch for edge attendants.
We accompanied the afternoon photo trip to Convention Hall from 3-9:30 PM and
looked at evac equipment needs and obstacles. Mike Hartley volunteered to be
pulled up the shaft at the end of this trip. There were two problems. First, the
600’ rope was hanging coiled in the silo. It took easily 15-20 minutes to
untangle it. Second, the block was pulled down the shaft with a rope; and the
4:1 ropes twisted around themselves several times. Mike hooked into the tag line
10 feet below the block instead of hooking to the block itself; so he probably
could not even seen what was happening with the pulleys. He was also on the
regular belay line; so had he seen the problem, he could have fixed it. Despite
Bill Gee’s persistent efforts, he was unable to reach Mike and Rick on the
intercom tube at the bottom to remind them to untwist the lines. They told us to
haul; so we did. With no way to communicate, we kept hauling but with increasing
difficulty. About 40’ from the top, we were forced to grab all 5 lines as a
bundle and just pull. (Crude, but effective.) The block was inverted; the ropes
were off the sheaves and were twisted; and there was a 30’ or longer mystery
loop that did not match the length of the other lines. Sunday morning, it took
us about 20 minutes to untangle this mess.
SUNDAY: On Sunday, we were on site 10 AM-3 PM. After untangling the 4:1, we did
a test haul of Rescue Randy. Terry rappelled down with the litter and climbed
back up just above it while Mike, Pam and Kyle hauled. With the ropes kept
straight, haul team fatigue was the only problem. Four people hauling and ball
bearing pulleys would have cut this problem down to size. We de-rigged
everything and returned Rescue Randy. We stuffed the 600’ rope into the tub and
suspended it from the pipe. If it needs to be deployed, it will not tangle. If
it is used, it needs to be stuffed into the tub properly so it is ready to use
again.
CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS:
As many people as possible should know how to properly use the haul system,
whatever form it takes. There were major problems hauling Mike Hartley with
people highly experienced with the 4:1 and with the shaft. Trip leaders should
be required to demonstrate their ability to use the haul system. There should be
two training sessions per year and probably more in 2004.
While the existing 4:1 can be incorporated into a haul system, it is far less
than ideal, mainly because of the twisting problems and the sheer amount of rope
involved. If this approach is retained (favored by no one involved,) the pulleys
should be upgraded; and a better rope container and container suspension should
be used.
A better approach would be to install a rescue winch in a haul system. Some
other type of hand winch could work. (You must be able to feel any problems.) A
single rope down the shaft is highly desirable (and favored by everyone
involved.) Almost any standard rescue haul system usable by small groups would
involve "resetting." This is not complicated but does require more training than
would a winch, would add a little time to the haul and would probably require
more people to operate.
The CCC should purchase the components necessary to build a safe and effective
haul system. This will cost about $250 if the current 4:1 approach is retained
or about $1400 if a rescue winch approach is taken. A winch that is not rescue
rated would fall in between but probably closer to $250 than to $1400.
The haul system should be installed as soon as practical, be left rigged and be
left alone unless needed. The system needs to be rodent proof.
RestoNeeded:
Broken or mud stained formations.
Graffitti
(FOD) Foreign Object debris
High traffic area
Miscellanous
