High-Rise Shoulder Pack Designed for Handling Ease
After working a fire on the third floor of a hotel and having extensive problems with the high rise packs being used, my engineer and I set out to design a new shoulder, or high-rise, pack.
There was a two fold task that was to be accomplished: First, design a load that was simple to handle, untie and flake out under adverse conditions. Second, have a load that one man could take off the apparatus by himself and also be able to carry other tools and rope. This is an important factor, especially for departments with minimum manning.
The load consists of 100 feet of 1¾-inch hose with a 1½-inch fog nozzle. The load is held together and secured on the apparatus with quick-release straps. Old seat belts and shoulder harnesses work great and can be found at most junkyards at no cost. (GM seat belts work the best.)
Under adverse conditions, a fire fighter does not need the frustration and loss of time involved in untying knots. The quick-release straps eliminate this problem by having only a button to push.
When released, the load falls in half, allowing it to be stretched out. If only half the load is needed, simply disconnect the coupling in the middle and use the section desired. The straps can be placed back on the unused section and transported to another location.
The pack can be used for more than just high-rises. Simple hose extension on the ground can be accomplished in restricted areas, such as at auto accidents where traffic is close by, or where hose lines just need to be extended. There are extensive uses of this pack and it can be adapted to just about any department’s needs.
