5. The rescuer will then utilize a safety Prusik in the same method as the first man down technique, except that the friction knot will be tied below the rappelling device and controlled with the brake hand.
6. The rescuer will then maneuver himself under the casualty to provide assistance and support.
7. At this point you are ready to rappel both rescuer and casualty at the same time.
NOTE: Your rappel device should be far enough in front of you so that the casualty will not be able to reach it.
b )If the injury occurs during the rappel, the following steps are taken:
1. The rescuer will preset the same system on a separate rappel rope and rappel down to the casualty.
2. The rescuer will then take the short end of the sling rope and attach it to the casualty’s hard point.
3. With a knife, the rescuer will cut the casualty’s rappel rope away.
4. Rappel down to the bottom of the cliff face.
NOTE: THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THAT A KNIFE WILL BE USED DURING A RAPPEL.
EXTREME CAUTION SHOULD BE USED. IT IS NOT TO BE DONE IN TRAINING, BUT ONLY DURING AN ACTUAL RESCUE AND AS A LAST RESORT.
TRANSITION: Are there any question over rescue techniques? Let's now discuss how to make our rappel installation retrievable.
12.(10 Min) RETRIEVABLE RAPPELS. Once a unit has rappelled down a vertical obstacle, it may be necessary to retrieve the rope(s). Depending on the height of the obstacle either one or two ropes will used to construct the rappel lane.
a. One-Rope Retrievable Rappel :
1 )Find the middle of the rope and place it directly behind a suitable anchor point.
2 )Join the pigtails of the rope with an overhand/figure 8 knot and deploy the rope down the obstacle.
3 )On one side of the rope in front of the anchor point, tie an over-the-object clove hitch onto a locking carabiner.
4 )On the other side of the rope, tie a figure 8 loop and attach it to the same carabiner.
5 )The first man down will utilize a safety Prusik and untie the overhand knot after he reaches the bottom.
6 )All others conduct proper rappel procedures.
7 )The last man down will disconnect the carabiner from the rope, and ensuring that the middle of the rope is directly behind the anchor point, rappel down the rope. If point NCO is an assault climber, use the stitch plate/ATC-type belay device to straighten the ropes.
8 )The rope is then retrieved by pulling on either end of the rope.
b. Two-Rope Retrievable Rappel . This type of system is identical to the one rope retrievable rappel except for a few considerations.
1 )The reason for using two ropes vice one rope is that the height of the rappel is greater.
2 )When two ropes are used they should be joined together using a square knot. This knot will be placed out of the system when securing the carabiner to the ropes. This will prevent total failure of the system if the knot should fail.
3 )All else remains the same as the one rope retrievable rappel except:
a)The last man down will disconnect the carabiner from the rope and will move the joining knot as close to the vertical obstacle’s edge as possible. This will prevent the knot from possibly getting caught up while retrieving.
b )The last man down will then place a carabiner on the rope below the knot. This will enable him to know which line to pull for retrieval. If the last man down is an assault climber, use the stitch plate/ATC-type belay device to straighten the ropes.
TRANSITION: Now that we have covered retrievable rappels, are there any questions? As Marines we are required to carry a variety of weapons and equipment into combat. Let us discuss considerations for our equipment so that it doesn’t enable our rappelling efforts.
13.(3 Min) EQUIPMENT. Equipment should be worn in accordance with unit SOP. The unit has the responsibility to determine which methods it feels are most beneficial to the mission.
Weapons should be worn across shoulder; muzzle down and away from the brake hand with a tight sling securely attached to the weapon. Weapons should also be dummy corded to the individuals.
TRANSITION: Are there any questions over equipment at this time? If you have none for me, then I have some for you.
PRACTICE (CONC)
a. Students will execute all rappel considerations outlined.
PROVIDE HELP (CONC)
a. The instructors will assist the students when necessary.
OPPORTUNITY FOR QUESTIONS (3 Min)
Q. What are the three criteria involved in site selection for a rappel site?
A. (1) Good anchors.
(2) The route down the cliff face should be as free of obstacles as possible.
(3) There must be suitable loading and unloading platforms.
Q. What are the three types of rappels?
A. (1) Hasty Rappel
(2) Seat-Shoulder Rappel (3) Seat-Hip Rappel
Q. When would the hasty rappel be the desired type of rappel to use?
A. When carrying loads down a moderate slope.
SUMMARY (2 Min)
a. During this period of instruction we have covered site selection, how to establish a rappel site and how it should be run, which included duties of the rappel point NCOIC and duties of the first man down a rope. We've also covered how to establish a retrievable rappel and the three types of rappels, as well as how to tie-off.
b. Those of you with IRF's please fill them out at this time and turn them in to the instructor.
We will now take a short break.
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
1. GAIN ATTENTION . In almost every mountain operation, you will be required to negotiate rocky slopes and faces. "While not all will require technical skills, some of them will and you will be unable to accomplish your mission unless you have mastered the basic skills of
balance climbing.
2. OVERVIEW . The Purpose of this period of instruction is to introduce the student to the techniques used in balance climbing. This will be accomplished by discussing safety
requirements, individual preparations, commands, types of holds, and considerations for body position and movement. This lesson relates to top roping and cliff assaults. (SMO)
INSTRUCTOR NOTE: Have students read learning objectives.
3.
INTRODUCE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
a. TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE . In a summer mountainous environment, execute balance climbing, in accordance with the references.
b. ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES . (MLC) and (ACC)
1 )Without the aid of references, describe in writing the safety requirements for balance climbing, in accordance with the references.
2 )Without the aid of references, list in writing the individual preparations for a balance climb, in accordance with the references.
3 )In a summer mountainous environment, execute the duties of a spotter for a balance climb, in accordance with the references.
4 )In a summer mountainous environment, execute the commands used between the climber and the spotter during a balance climb, in accordance with the references.