1,2,or 3 Rope Systems

It is recommended that two-rope lowering systems are used where at all possible and always in training. Single rope systems should generally be used only in real rescue situations, where the risk to the casualty caused by the extra delay outweighs the obviously increased risks of lowering on a single rope. Single rope systems are more appropriate to winter conditions, where abrasion of the rope is lessened and where the risk of the rope being cut due to stonefall is also reduced.

It is unusual in a real crag-rescue situation for a third rope to be available for the stretcher guide or "barrow-boy". a three-rope system also increases the risk of stonefall.

Lashing-up Systems for all Current Stretcher Types

The basic idea of a stretcher tie or lashing is to hold together the essential parts of the stretcher in the event of a weld failure or other major structural damage.

The use of short lengths of rope is recommended for this purpose, but if the main lowering ropes are used, it is obviously desirable to use as little rope as possible, as in the systems described below.

All two-part or split stretchers should have their two halves tied together.

The end of the lashing rope should be positively tied off, as in a bowline loop.

1. MacInnes Standard

Vertical Lower - Single rope

a. If using short (12ft) length: (fig 1)

Tie fig 8 knot at middle, then take one end down side of the stretcher, thus - Rolling hitch on long tube at head end then to middle of stretcher, leaving few inches slack, clove hitch round both upright tubes of sub-frame, end back towards head, tie off in bowline loop with half blood knot to secure. Tighten.

b. If using main rope: (fig 2)

First rolling hitch to long tube at head L-hand side, clove hitch or, through stretcher bed to middle as above (no slack), across underneath, clove hitch in middle R-hand side, back up to rolling hitch at head R-side, end to end to Fig 8 or bowline on main rope at central point above stretcher. Knot secured as above.

Vertical Lower - Double rope

c. If using short (12ft) length:

i) Lash up stretcher as (a) above, then attach each lowering rope with a separate karabiner to top Fig 8 knot (this should preferably be Fig 8 on the bight) leaving enough rope free on 1 rope for barrow boy to tie on.

ii) Instead of tying both lowering ropes to a central Fig 8 knot, tie 2 fig 8 knots in lashing rope, one on either side and attach lowering ropes accordingly, always leave enough free rope at one side for barrow boy attachment. 

d. If 2 short (6-8ft) lengths available:

Lash up each side of stretcher as 2(a) above, finishing with Fig 8 knot at top and each side. This eliminates the rope joining the fig 8 knots horizontally as in 2(a) (ii) above, removing a potential source of snagging which is also obviously a possibility in 1(a) and (b).

e. If using main rope:

Lash up as in 2 (b) above.

2. Bell Standard - vertical lower

Exactly as MacInnes Standard except that clove hitches are taken round horizontal bars of stretcher at middle. NB not round side pillars as in MacInnes. The maker claims that the karabiner attachment points at the head of the stretcher are a sufficient anchor point for vertical or horizontal lifts.

3. Thomas - vertical lower

Split Thomas

Exactly as MacInnes Standard.

4. MacInnes Superlight

Generally same as MacInnes Standard, whether using main rope or short lengths, but there are no halves to secure, so tie rolling hitch round side of main tube at head end then clove hitch to main upright loop, back to bowline between clove hitch and rolling hitch.

5. Piguillem

Again, largely same system as MacInnes in all cases, but first rolling hitch to side tube at top end, then to clove hitch on side tube bottom half, returning to bowline between these two points.

6. Bell Helicopter

N/A (Similar system could be used, or karabiner points if trusted).

7. Neil Robertson

Lifting strops attached to S.G. karabiner or quicklink on hoisting rope.

8. NB. Double-rope - slack rope system

Where two ropes of the required length are available, some rescuers prefer to lower on only one rope, keeping the other rope slack. This rope, acting as a safety rope, is not stretched and is theoretically less likely to be cut by stonefall. It is probably best to lash the stretcher as in 1(d) or (e). If as in 1(d), then bring Fig 8 knots on short lengths to central point above stretcher and link these to the two lowering ropes by two screw-gate karabiners through all four knots. If as in 1(e), either first join the two lowering ropes using a Fig 8 knot before lashing, or after lashing, join ropes tightly using Prussik or Klemmheist knot, tied off, above stretcher.

Horizontal Lowers/Hoists

Some stretchers are equipped with wire strops for horizontal work - these require linking to a central quicklink or 2 S.G. Krabs - 2 strops into each krab, both krabs joined to Fig 8 knot on bight.

Piguillem has detachable wire strops, latest MacInnes Standard and Superlight have wire strops permanently swaged in position.

Other stretchers will require slings of suitable length attached to each corner brought to krabs or quicklink at central point. RAF currently use spliced No 4 slings, using lark’s foot for attachment. This method gives insufficient stability with Bell Stretcher - but longer slings cause problems when entering helicopter. Bell Helicopter stretcher has intermediate points which alleviate this problem and gives slight head-up attitude. RAF now approving slings on Easy-Rider principle - a great improvement.

The slack rope system as in 8 can be used for horizontal lowers or hoists.

Note on Barrow-boy Attachment

On vertical lowers, sufficient free rope is left at the end of one rope to reach the barrow boy. He is attached using sit harness and baudrier combined, with prussik to main rope so that he can adjust height or go up to examine casualty etc. (Fig 4a).

On horizontal lowers, whether with one or two barrow-boys, same system is used, rope coming from central karabiners/quicklink to each barrow-boy. (Fig 4b).

Using 3 rope system, barrow-boy can be on No 1 or 3 ropes (using RAF system L to R as barrow-boy looks up). Barrow-boy rope goes straight to him, but is guided through short sling and krab at side of stretcher to keep rope away from casualty’s face. (This is also done with 1 and 2 rope lowers). The barrow-boy can also use a sling on bottom rail of stretcher for temporary attachment or for haulage.

30/12/01