InterLinc: City of Lincoln: Fire & Rescue Department Title

This supplement provides firefighters with examples of knots commonly used by Lincoln Fire and Rescue not described within the essentials manual. If a rope is to be used intelligently and safely, every firefighter should be sufficiently familiar with standard fire service knots to be able to tie them in the dark without any hesitation. In order to understand the various types of knots is to know when and how to tie them at the proper time in order to answer a certain purpose. Expertise in tying knots can only be achieved by continuous practice and is recommended that any spare time be utilized in practicing the various types of knots. A few of the more widely known knots and their uses in the department are diagramed herewith:

Figure 1. Fire Extinguisher knot. Use a clove hitch with a safety around the valve of the extinguisher. If the extinguisher has a gauge, the clove hitch must split the gauge.

Figure 2. Clove Hitch with a safety can be used to hoist a roof ladder. The clove hitch should split the second rung from the top.

Chimney Hitch
Always face the hose or roof edge when tying, face away from the anchor. When tying off, either tie around one or both ropes.

Scoop
Bring the Loop down and make one good tight knot around ropes.

Johnson Bar
Half Hitch Half Hitch Clove Hitch

Tarp Tie
Clove Hitch

Safety
Because of the importance of safe working equipment, rope maintenance and usage guidelines can be found in the Management Policy 500 series. Rescue Rope Care and Rescue Rope Replacement.

Self Rescue
To secure the rope to an anchor use a canadian eight knot on the anchor. After securely tying the rope to an anchor, carry the rope to the location of descent letting the rope feed over the edge. Slowly feed remainder of the rope until it reaches the ground. A belay firefighter on the ground taking the rope is desirable.

The carabiners are the large ‘D' ring type, made of steel and are 4800 lbs. test strength. They have a threaded safety lock on the gate so they will not open accidentally. They also absorb most of the friction heat developed when rappelling.

Because of the friction heat build up in the carabiner and braking hand when rappelling, it is imperative that leather gloves, with liners, be worn. The use of cloth gloves can cause burns to the hands. Leather gloves are included in the high level rescue kit.

To tie the rappelling (Swiss) seat:

Place the webbing across the small of the back, the center of its length on the hip opposite the braking hand.
Overhand knots are tied below the belt buckle.
The ends are brought between the legs, front to rear.
Around legs and positioned over the hips.
Each end is brought under the webbing forming the overhand knot to form a half-hitch around it on each hip.
The ends are then tied together with a square knot and half-hitch safeties on the hip opposite the braking hand. The seat must fit snug to the body. A carabiner is placed through the single webbing, and the two webbing straps forming the overhand knot.
The carabiner is inserted with the gate (hinge) down, opening towards the body; then rotated one half turn, so the gate is up and opens away from the body. Pull upwards on the carabiner to insure adjustment of the seat in the groin.
To execute rappel, straddle the window putting the rope with brake hand towards descent point. Place the rope in your carabiner; make two round turns around carabiner from portion of the rope between anchor and your body; lock gate of carabiner; give warning "ON BELAY" to the anchor firefighter and proceed to rappelling point.
The rope is held with the brake hand; guide hand on rope in front of carabiner. Take up slack in rope, swing your legs over the window sill or the wall edge. Move the break hand to the center of your back at waist level, palm down. After exiting the window push out from the building, keep your legs straight, feet shoulders width apart. Allow the rope to move through the carabiner stepping down as the rope permits. Use guide hand for balance only. Brake by closing fist of brake hand and by pressing the rope against body. For a faster descent, open fist slightly, lean back, and walk down side of building.
The rappeller may assume a stationary position by braking to a stop, reach behind with guide hand grasping the rope from brake hand bringing the rope under both buttocks to above carabiner and holding the two ropes together with both hands forming a loop or seat under buttocks. If for any reason it is necessary to have both hands free, hold the ropes together with one hand and tie two half-hitches with the other, above the hand locking the ropes together. Before releasing hands, grasp brake rope with one hand to hold at hip to secure yourself, until knot is checked for safety and that knot is secured.
To start rappel from this position, untie the two half-hitches with guide hand while locking the ropes together with brake hand, grasp standing part of rope with guide hand, thumb up, bring rope out from body, waist level, elbow slightly crooked. With the other hand above carabiner turn slightly towards the hand that is now the brake hand and continue descent.
To change braking hand, brake to a stop, reach behind with guide hand, bring rope out of side of body, waist level, elbow bent slightly, turn towards hand which is now brake hand, reach above carabiner with other hand and continue descent. To again change brake hand, reverse procedure as stated above.
When descent is complete to lower level or ground give "OFF BELAY", so others may begin their rappel.
When looking down, always look down over shoulder of brake hand.
When descending past an opening such as a window, angle descent and continue walking, DO NOT BOUNCE AND SLIDE.
If the rappeller loses control of descent, the anchor firefighter can slow or stop descent by pulling down on the rope. This holds the rappeller until control can be attained or by releasing slack on the downward pull, this will let the rappeller safely down.

Rope Rescue
Specialized methods have been developed to rescue people trapped or by which firefighters may escape from high level areas which are above the reach of aerials, stairways, or fire escapes which are impassible or for any reason rescue or escape from an area is not possible by regular means.

As true with any training activity, it is essential that all firefighters have a knowledge of the equipment used, its description, characteristics, proper care and maintenance procedures. This knowledge is a must if the techniques being used are to be properly employed.

LFR ropes, carabiners, and nylon webbing, are of the finest quality obtainable. The strength of each component far exceeds any stress which will be placed on it.

Whenever possible, anchor the rope above the descent point, for example: tied to an anchor so that it passes through the upper portion of a window from which a descent will be made. Though it is not necessary, it may simplify the beginning of a descent. Do not attempt to reach an upper floor simply for the reason of anchoring the rope. If it is necessary for the rope to come in contact with sharp or rough edges, such edges should be padded to prevent damage to the rope. The rope should not be walked on or dragged as small particles of dirt, glass, etc., will be ground between the strands and will gradually cut and weaken the rope. Do not leave the rope tightly knotted or stretched for any period longer than necessary as knots weaken the rope, as does stretching under tension, for extended periods of time. As rope tends to tighten when wet, tension should be checked at intervals and tension released as necessary.

Figure Eight