Recently, I have had some interesting conversations with friends (representing numerous avenues of rescue rigging thought), about the usage (or lack of) rescue “racks”. Whether, small mini racks, large “break bar” racks, or anything in between. Issues of safety, standards (NFPA 1670), persona preference (NFPA 1006) and applications all had common interlacing. I can see a trend brewing, but before I comment on them, I would like to ask ya’ll…
Racks… do they still have any value in rope rescue operations? If so, where and when? Given all the statics, product new releases and innovations in techniques, I think this is valid question. What do you think? We’d love some feedback. Future installments of our video projects will reflect the consensus of thought.
(The links provided are not officially the most up to date pieces of information, but are close enough to be considered a solid start).
#1 by Gears Manufacturers on August 4, 2010 - 6:18 am
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Interesting post !!
#2 by Shaun on March 28, 2011 - 1:53 am
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My SAR team uses brake racks but I’m investigating the Scarab as an alternative. Lighter, more fool-proof, easier to push rope through, etc.
#3 by Rescue Response Gear on March 28, 2011 - 8:02 pm
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“That is exactly what the Scarab was designed to do; Have the stopping power of a 6 bar rack at a fraction of the weight. I have even used it for
1 person rappels and found the variability in the speed of descent to be quite helpful. The stainless steel version exceeds NFPA G rating.
About them being fool proof, the most important thing to remember when you rig the Scarab is to first wrap one of the forward or load facing horns, creating a 180 degree wrap around the bar.”
Matt Adams
Rescue Response Gear, Inc.
541.549.1485
#4 by Jared Nichols on March 26, 2012 - 2:13 pm
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I work in the Fire/Rescue profession and also as a Challenge Course Facilitator at a local community college. While facilitating the courses and belaying people on ropes all day I find that the Rescue 8 is most beneficial and the only drawback is that the rope twists while moving through the 8 so you havew to disconnect periodically to allow the twists to unwind. For fire service rescues the racks are the only thing that I have ever used, I believe that they are still used because there has never been another product to challenge the tradional use of the racks.