Zdenko.Mlakar - Recent messages

Hello!

I'm assembling a self-rescue kit for a firefighter. What does that mean? It means I'm putting together a kit that the firefighter will always carry in his pocket. In case he gets trapped in a higher floor and there's absolutely no other way to save himself, he'll descend two, maximum three floors lower with the help of this kit.

There's not much space in the side pocket on pants.
What do we need:
1. RESCUE HARNESS (infinite loop 4m circumference TUBULAR 26mm with which you make a seat harness)
2. ROPE 15m long, 6mm thick (no space for thicker rope)
3. DESCENDING DEVICE (figure eight for thin rope 5-7mm)
5. CARABINERS (climbing ones without locking for quick clipping)
6. ANCHOR HOOK (in case there's no other anchor - looking for what to use)


Why assemble it myself? Because such a kit costs about 400 euros.

For better idea of what I mean, attaching a link to this product.
http://www.petzl.com/en/Professional/Descenders/EXO?l=INT#.ViU5INLhAdU

What static 6mm rope do you recommend?

I was thinking of using the following:

POLYESTER ARAMID rope conditionally heat resistant:
http://www.kanirope.de/index.php/cat/c258_--aus-Polyester---Aramid.html/XTCsid/a4558bc5633233ffacb8fdf79bf28c9b

and

FIGURE EIGHT FOR 5-7mm ROPE
http://www.kanirope.de/product_info.php/info/p1775_Abseilachter-MICRO-FIG-EIGHT-von-ISC.html

Manufacturer says this rope has no EN standard for self-rescue, but I don't need EN standard if they claim the rope holds 1000kg.

This is about bare survival, nothing more, nothing less. And we all know a 6mm rope is enough to hold one person. We even hung three on such a rope and it didn't break.

During training it would be used with mandatory additional protection.
I wouldn't sell the kit in any way, making it just for myself.


What do you recommend, which rope to use, what to watch out for when choosing rope.
Thin rope is extremely hard to hold in hand. If there's not enough friction, I'll have to use some prusik...

I know that with such thin ropes no one guarantees anything, but I'M LOOKING FOR THE BEST OPTION I HAVE and hope we find it together.

Thanks and best regards

andrej78 I agree. For most firefighters, even basic rope technique skills like knowing knots and their use are too much, let alone assembling some demanding rescue of an injured person with stretcher over an overhang etc. That's why I didn't post detailed assembly pictures of this system and its use, to prevent some layman from copying it and harming himself or others.

I have this system for myself, and don't advertise or recommend it to others. The system isn't demanding, but I would STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST it for most firefighters, because it's extremely dangerous and requires a certain level of rope technique knowledge.

I agree regarding dynamic loads. Even the knot reduces the rope's strength quite a bit. If I had unlimited space options, I'd rather choose 11mm rope, ID for descending and Navajo harness, but unfortunately not everything fits. This solution is the most suitable for this situation and our tactics, although for this system we can say anything but that it would be safe. Sharp edges or even glass in contact with the rope would probably mean the same as throwing myself headfirst through the window without a rope. I'm not afraid the rope won't hold, nor the anchor. The biggest problem is sharp edges, I agree. You need to be most careful there.

The kit cost me 62 euros. I'm satisfied and hope I never use it except in exercises with additional protection.

Hello!

Thanks for your help, and thanks also to those who just wrote a sentence.

I assembled the kit (heat-resistant rope with aramid core), thoroughly tested it (various anchors, descent from balcony, window, roof) and put it into personal use.

Vandica1 since you were interested in this "pocket" thing, attaching pictures of how it looks. I always carry the system with me...SEAT HARNESS, ANCHOR, ROPE, CONTROLLED DESCENT DEVICE. All that in two side pockets on pants. It could fit in one, but I decided to put some in the other pocket for weight distribution.

Attaching link to pictures:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BwV_-g_2j49yVWpNTkxPNldqR0k&usp=sharing

Best regards