Many of the current manufactured AHD’s (as we have come to refer to them) have particular idiosyncrasies in their set up and operation-in fact, far more than can be dealt with here. I was under some strict space allotments in writing this. Indeed a full-on book, if not compilation of books could be written about this subject; Maybe at a later time.

What I can write about is something which has its origin in the “Highlands” of Arizona, and in something that I personally had a hand in designing: The Arizona Vortex “Multipod”. The nomenclature of VORTEX indeed comes from the area of our highlands called the Mogollon Rim Country and in particular, Sedona, Arizona. A simple Google of “energy vortex” will reveal info on several Gnostic energy vortex’s in the Canyons of the Mogollon Rim. Nine in all, we decided to name our contraption the AZ Vortex in honor of the phenomenon which has contributed too many actual rescues in our red rocks. The term “Multipod” came from the fact that it is one of the only AHD’s which can be configured in a multiplicity of combinations for use in rope access and rescue work:

• Tripod AHD (equal sided)
• Tripod AHD (longer easel leg)
• Bipod AHD (standard or sideways with either guyed or lazy leg component)
• Bipod rigging plate
• Monopod AHD
• Monopod rigging plate

See the complete Vortex 2.0 Multipod Manual for more details

It is certain that in this article, we are not going to get through all of these uses unless RRG gets numerous emails and correspondences demanding a Part 2 (and so on). The Arizona Vortex is widely used in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand but, to date, has not made significant import into the UK market. I suppose it is just a matter of time. Six years ago we started teaching one 7 day seminar in Australia and now the thirst for this type of rigging prowess has grown to our spending a month in that country alone each year. Now it has spread to New Zealand.

One thing that I want to emphasize is that this AHD in particular is not for the weak minded nor those not interested in reading or understanding the comprehensive instructions (used, by the way in RTR seminars). The use of this device is for those practitioners who go the extra mile/kilometer and study the physics associated with the list of applications above. To date, we have seen an increasing number of rope access and rescue technicians using the AZV in just such a capacity. As a result, casualties have been handled in a way affording good patient care at the edge and tools and equipment in the work environment have been handled with finesse and less “weeping and gnashing of teeth”.

ASSEMBLY OF THE ARIZONA VORTEX AT THE EDGE

There are two (2) ways to assemble the Arizona Vortex:
1) Partially build it in place (some parts must be preassembled) and
2) Entirely build it away from the edge and move it forward to the edge in one piece.

Both require some practice and both have advantages and disadvantages. Practicing both will give the team the best option under difficult setup situations.
Regardless of which way you go for assembly, ALWAYS attach a tether cord to the pieces or entire unit until it can be securely anchored down at each foot (below left). This tether cord should be monitored (belayed) on a separate anchor by a person to the rear to prevent the AZV from toppling over during installation and tie down. (You might leave the tether in place during the operation for later disassembly) Do not have a person belay the AZV to the edge from a position where they are in the “belay chain” (where they are in series with the belay system). If a fall at the edge occurs, the AZV and belayer can both be pulled over the edge. Do not leave an unsecured AZV unattended without having been securely anchored! Holding the AZV in place until you are sure it is secure (below right) is always a good idea. It is also suggested that one person (who is able to see the whole set up back from the edge) be in charge of the setup and that communication is deliberate and precise.

1. ASSEMBLY IN PIECES:
In a difficult mountainous or industrial location, the AZV may need to be assembled at the edge in pieces. The method of doing this is to have two people on travel restricts hold the A frame portion of the AZV at the desired location. This A frame should be belayed as described previously. Then a third and perhaps fourth person should bring out the final easel leg and make the connection on the balanced A frame. At this time, adjustments may be made to the legs by those closest to the pins. Once the feet are secured, the tether may be slacked off or removed. However most people leave the tether in place for later removal.

2. ASSEMBLY AS ONE UNIT AND CARRIED INTO POSITION:
A second alternate way to install the AZV at the edge is to build it completely first well away from the edge, and then walk it out as one piece to the edge. This may require three to four people and is more difficult to build to mirror rough terrain. Sometimes a combination of both techniques works well but remember that it is difficult to change pins at the head while standing on the brink of a large drop. Make these changes back from the edge and then move the AZV into position and tie down the feet only after making your final changes. Several attempts at getting it right may be needed before tie down commences. With more and more experience under your belt, this process will become less cumbersome with time.
It is difficult for all three people holding a respective leg to know what the other wants. For instance, if the left front leg is moved, say, three inches forward into a seemingly “perfect” pocket, it produces a rotation of the back leg of about five inches. In any case, do not force the legs into position if they do not want to go. Tension on legs before the operation begins can result in damage to the unit and bending a component. The AZV should be “relaxed” while it is being tied down. Practice setting the AZV up with full gear, travel restricts and tether near a benign edge first before going to height.

Disassembly of the AZV is less problematic. Simply get enough personnel on travel restrict devices to remove the anchoring at each foot and, upon hearing the word from the person in charge of tear down, carry the entire device back out of the hazard zone for disassembly. Again, the tether cord should be in place on a separate anchor during this movement back from the edge. Once the AZV is back from the edge and well away from any hazard, it may be taken apart, inspected for any damage, and stowed in its proper storage compartments.

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

Stability is always a concern when using tripods, bipods and monopods. Unless the forces are carefully evaluated, the possibility of legs slipping or the structure toppling is very real. The following Principles of Operation apply to using the Multipod as well as other tripods, A-frames, and gin poles.

Every time a system rope runs through a pulley, each side (of the rope) has force applied to it. The force should be roughly equal on each side of the pulley. Each of those equal are called “component” forces (really, components of a “sum”). These component forces will add together to create a “resultant force” which will bisect the angle from these ropes. While the resultant force is invisible, it is important that the user of the AZV understand where this invisible resultant is pointing in order to prevent a catastrophic topple. It is with this in mind that the following points are made:

• THREE LEGS IS BEST: Whenever possible, set up the AZV Multipod in the three-legged configuration. It usually takes less effort to transport the complete set of legs than to securely rig the AZV in the A frame, SA frame or gin pole configuration. These bipod and monopod options should be used where the full tripod configuration cannot be adapted to the location.
• EQUAL-SIDED TRIPODS: The resultant force on any equal sided AZV tripod should be directly down, as close to the center of the three legs as possible. If this resultant force points to a location on the ground outside the “footprint” of the three legs, the tripod can topple violently. Many times this will result in needed a bottom anchored pulley to direct the resultant force directly downward.
• EASEL A FRAMES (EA Frames): When extending the easel leg of the AZV Multipod (also known as an easel A frame or EA frame), the resultant force vector should still be pointed as close as possible to the center of the three legs, wherever they may be placed. An additional tether under tension may be needed to secure the AZV.
• A FRAMES: The resultant force on an A frame should be either in line or slightly in front of the legs (called “erroring forward”). The problem exists where the tensioned main line through the AZV (indicating the actual components and resultant) does not exist when the A frame is being guyed down. Many times it is too late to readjust this A frame after the system comes under load. So erroring forward slightly onto the tensioning guying system to the rear is considered an acceptable practice to remedy the situation. Also, the forward guys on an A frame are many times over the edge and cannot be easily checked for viability. Erroring forward will take the force off these front anchors when the system comes under load.
• SIDEWAYS A FRAMES: The resultant force on an SA frame should roughly in between the two legs. It is recommending that the SA frame be used with highlines and offsets where the rope going over the edge is changing angle inward and outward, depending on tension. This continues to change the front rope component force, thus also changing the resultant force vector. EA and SA frames are well suited for this. A frames and gin poles are not.
• LAZY LEG SIDEWAYS A FRAMES: Consider using the easel leg to the side when setting up sideways A-frame. If the Working Line is kept inside the legs, stability is increased. The easel leg should still be guyed back.
• ANCHORING THE FEET: Prevent any possible movement of the legs by connecting the feet together with rope, webbing, or chain or by anchoring each individual foot to the surface.

ANCHORING of the AZ VORTEX v.2.0 MULTIPOD

With the several style feet sold separately from the standard AZV kit, you must be familiar with type of feet you need for the setup location you are attempting. All feet of the AZV, regardless of type, must be anchored to prevent downward, sideways, spreading and uplift forces (in some cases). Without the collective or independent anchoring of each leg, the AZV can catastrophically collapse during the operation!

UNANTICIPATED MOVEMENT OF THE AZV UNDER A DYNAMIC EVENT:

It is important to remember that the AZV must be secured for any possible unanticipated dynamic event. To do this, the rear easel leg must be secured for compression and tension. This means that the easel leg should not be able to move forward towards the edge nor backwards, away from it. The easiest way to accomplish this is the anchor the rear foot to the substrate. Anchoring this rear foot can be tricky on rooftops and other slippery surfaces, but in wilderness locations, it is easily accomplished with rigging savvy and know how. 1” tubular webbing is the tool of choice since it can be easily lashed tightly to rock outcroppings, rock protection, bolts and the like. Rigging formed as a Spanish windlass can tightly capture and secure the foot regardless of type.

If the surface does not allow the securing of the back easel leg foot to the surface, an alternate method must be employed for keeping the head, and hence AZV, from being pulled over the cliff edge in a dynamic event. This uses a combination of securing the foot from compressive forces (by tying low up to the edge), and securing the HEAD, not foot, to the rear for tensile forces. This tensioning element can be incorporated into the Tether Cord already discussed earlier. Both can be one and the same, however the significance of the anchor may need to be improved for the later use. What this accomplishes is keeping the easel leg foot from movement back and the AZV head from movement forward by two separate independent systems. Hence compressive and tensile forces are thereby taken care of by a simple yet effective means. In any case, the AZV should be secure before the operation begins.

Independent or hobble anchoring the feet of the AZV is required. Independent anchoring is just that: each foot is secured for movement by itself. With hobble anchoring of the feet, two or maybe three are tied together. Every situation is different and no amount of information presented in this manual can prepare the user for all circumstances in the field.

INDEPENDENT ANCHORING OF THE FEET

If at all possible, the feet should be secured from movement in any direction: down, up or sideways. This means that if a common compression force is applied, the foot will not dig in and move significantly. Small amounts of movement (< 1/2”) is acceptable and is referred to as “settling in” of the feet when the operations begins. Also, if the AZV moves in an unanticipated direction, there may be a lifting, or tensile force, on the foot. So, a way should be sought to keep the foot down. There are multiple ways to accomplish this with the varying substrates found. For instance, in rock, rock pro or bolts may be placed to hold the foot. On industrial grating, the foot can be lashed down tightly.

HOBBLING THE FEET

If you cannot independently anchor each of the feet (which may be the most desirable) then alternate methods must be taken. The front A frame portion of the AZV must be secured, or “hobbled”, from spreading action. The A frame legs are those that insert into the BLUE portion of the head. The easel leg is that which inserts into the ORANGE part of the head (Note: In older versions of the AZV Before Oct. 18, 2004 and where the serial number is less than #2083, these colors are reversed) To accomplish this, use webbing or cordalette (small accessory cordage) between the bottom-most holes on the feet (to avoid a tripping hazard). Form a small mechanical advantage or similar “truckers hitch” to apply moderate tension in between the A frame legs. Do not apply too much tension as well as this may bend the legs where they enter the head assembly of the AZV. Snug is just right. Also, the edge padding or protection for the ropes moving over the edge can be attached to this hobbling rigging if desired.

Purchase the Arizona Vortex here