USING THE FIGURE-EIGHT DESCENDER
RESCUE/EMS
Fire service rescuers can often take advantage of tools used by other groups—mountain climbers, for example. One such item is the figure-eight descender, designed for rappelling.
There are three types of figure eights on the market. The basic type is simply called a figure eight descender. The second type is a figure eight descender with ears. This particular descender is more versatile because the device can be double-wrapped to increase the friction and thus give better control with heavier weights, and singlewrapped for normal uses. The third type has the outside ears but also has small ears inside the larger portion of the eight, giving it better ability to keep the rope from climbing over itself when the rope is doubled in the device.
To descend using the figure eight descender, a bight is formed in the rappelling line with the running portion of the rope on either the right or left side of the standing part, whichever the rappeller prefers. The bight is then passed through the larger eye and looped over the smaller eye. To complete the hook-up, the figure eight is then attached to the rappeller’s harness by a locking carabiner.
If a limited number of rescuers are available to lower a victim, a figure eight can be used as a friction brake. To accomplish this, a figure eight can be secured by using a rope or locking carabiner to a suitable anchoring point. The figure eight is attached to the anchoring point by using the smaller eye on the figure eight. The lowering line or life support line is then threaded through the figure eight in the normal fashion. This will aid the rescuer making the lower by increasing his control over the descending item.
The life support line would be attached to the Stokes basket or item to be lowered. The running end, as shown with the white whipping cord on the end, would be the line held by the rescuers to assist the tower. One illustration shows the proper way to set up the braking or friction device. The long line would be tied to the item to be lowered. The carabiner tied with the white rope is attached to a suitable anchoring point. The lowering line is then properly routed through the figure eight and attached to the locking carabiner.
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If the item to be lowered is quite heavy or more control is desired, the figure eight can be double-wrapped, thus increasing the control of descent. In this instance, a figure eight with ears is used for the double-wrap. Using this system, one or two rescuers above the victim can easily control the descent of the basket or victim, thus eliminating the need for extra people for the rescue.
With a limited number of personnel available to make a one-point horizontal lower using a Stokes basket, the figure eight can be effectively used. The figure eight can be attached to the lifting or lowering harness by a 12mm carabiner. The standing part of the lowering line is attached to a proper anchor point.
A bight is formed in the rope and lowered to the window or point of exit to be used by the rescuers. The running end of the rope is tied off to prevent the line from falling and also to avoid reaching the end of rope. The rescuers route the figure eight properly to the lowering rope by using the bight that is lowered to them. The figure eight is then attached to the lowering harness. To make the lower, the rescuers above the exit point lower the basket by allowing the running end of the rope to pass through their hands using a handover-hand method.
This same exercise can be set up another way by adding a lightweight pulley to the equipment available. Again, the standing part of the rope is tied to a secure anchoring point above the rescuers. The rope is passed through a pulley or sheave and the running end is threaded through a figure eight which is also attached to a secure anchoring point. The lower is then made by allowing the running part of the rope to pass through the rescuers’ hands.
As in all rescue situations, the item being lowered should have the proper safety lines attached in case the lowering line breaks. Also, tag lines should be attached to the item to control the item as it is lowered.
One important factor to remember is to use a good quality synthetic rope designed for rescue work and which meets the requirements for the weight of the item lowered.
