Adventure Rope Gear

ARTICLES / BLOG

January 26th, 2010

This is intended for people who know what they are doing and is written as a reference guide to assure adequate safety in construction and operation of the above referenced structures.

A1.001.001.A

Location of Structures

All structures should be located where activities can be conducted safely.

Comments: Bogs, sink holes, flood plains, coal burning plants, and nuclear waste dumps are a few examples areas that may not be appropriate for challenge course or adventure activities

B1.001.001.A

Support Structures

Support structures such as trees and poles must be strong enough to easily support the loads that will be applied to the structure.

B1.002.002.B

TREES

Trees should be living and healthy.

Trees should not be located in high erosion areas.

Tress should not have dead limbs above the areas where activities are located.

Trees should not be damaged during installation or use of elements.

Trees should be strong enough to support elements.

Comments: Palm trees are not a good choice. An arborist should be consulted in most situations. 8” is the bare minimum size that any limb or trunk should be that is supporting elements. 12” is better. 20”+ is best. The type of tree is very important to know the loads it can carry. Trees die, so choose carefully. Water and fertilize your trees to create strong trees, a happy trees, and good karma.

B1.003.003.C

POLES

Poles should be strong enough to support the intended loads; really they should be much stronger.

Poles should be treated against rot and decay.

Poles should be planted to the proper depth. 10% of the pole length + 2’ is the usual depth standard set by power companies. This depth is usually adequate but may not be in some conditions, like wetlands, beaches, and flood plains.

Poles should be minimum class two. Class 3 poles may be appropriate for towers or other multiple pole, interlocked structures. Class 3 or 4 poles may be appropriate for cat walks, balance beams, incline logs, and driveway borders.

Fasteners, attachments, and cables should not be located within 12” of the top of the pole.

Comments: Proper pole selection and treatment is key to safety. Old, retired poles that smell like gasoline and are oozing black goo should not be used. Some treatments are better than others. Some are downright dangerous for long term human health. Water borne treatments are preferred over oil borne treatments. Most oil borne treatments contain carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals). A sleeve type liner is sometimes used to cover the portion of the post that will be in contact with the ground (with and without preservatives) to provide an extra layer of protection. It also contains the preservatives within the wood and prevents leaching into the soil. Some sleeves are added in the field while others are only applied by the manufacturer. Stainless steel ‘Pole Socks’ should be used in areas with active underground termites; etc. Hawaii, Central America, and the garden shed.

C1.001.001.A

Guy Wire Support Systems

Almost all poles and many trees will require guy wire support systems to facilitate proper strength and loading. Guy wire systems should be strong enough to handle 2 – 5 times the maximum expected load. Guy anchors must be properly installed. Guy wire support systems for zip lines, giant swings should be installed with a back-up system for component failure (add an extra clamp or ferrule). Guy wire support system attachment should be within 12” of the belay cables.

Comments: the flatter the angle, the stronger the support. 45o is typically the minimum angle that should be used for guy wire systems. Angles less than 45o will probably require additional anchors and cables.

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Guy wire support system anchors may be affected by excessive rain, earthquakes, automobile impacts, erosion and changing soil conditions. Guy wire anchor systems should be inspected prior to every use.

Guy wire anchor systems should be load tested at the time of installation to assure proper holding power. Use a lift, bobcat, backhoe, or other heavy equipment to pull test your anchors. If they pull out easily, then get longer, fatter anchors or pour >1 cy reinforced concrete.

^{NOT AN APPROPRIATE ANCHOR}

D1.001.001.A

Cables

Cables used for life support should be at least 5 times stronger than the maximum expected load.

Cables should be attached using OSHA approved hardware. Cables should be properly tensioned (loose enough) to prevent overloading from vector angle forces. (Don’t you love that term?)

Comments: 3/8” 7×19 galvanized aircraft cable is the most common cable used for belay safety cables, ½” or larger cables may be needed for long zip lines or cables where vector angle forces will exceed the safe working load of 3/8” cable (1/5 of the tensile/breaking strength). Stainless steel cable is usually needed is high corrosive environments like beaches, swamps, or near smelters, coal burning plants, and other pollution producing areas.

Vector Angle Forces (tension/anchor loads) are determined by the formula:

Formula: Example:

Tension = load x span

4 x sag

1,000# = 200 x 200

4 x 10’

Tension is the total weight that the anchors must

Support; load to anchors.

Load is the total of the weight of the guest,

belayer and cable.

Span is the length of the cable.

4 is the number 4 (four).

Sag is the distance of cable deflection while under

Load.

200’ zip line cable

200 lb rider weight

5% sag

1000# of tension to the anchors!

Notes:

10% SAG is the usual minimum of dynamic belayed elements.

5% SAG is the usual minimum for static elements.

SAG may be reduced if stronger/ fatter cables are used.

NEVER EXCEED THE SAFE WORKING LOAD OF LIFE SUPPORT CABLES

SAFE WORKING LOAD (SWL = 1/5 TENSILE/BREAKING STRENGTH)

	7×19 1×7 1×19 7×7 COATED COATED
	GOOD BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD

E1.001.001.A

Cable attachments and terminations

Cables should be terminated and attached in accordance with manufacturer specifications. Life support cables should have an additional clamp or ferrule to provide peace of mind and justify additional charges to clients. Zip line should have at least four (4) clamps or three (3) ferrules for the same reasons.

Comments:

E1.001.001.B

BOLTS

Bolts should be at least 5 times stronger than the maximum expected loads. Bolts holding life support cables should be backed up in case of failure.

Comments: Most bolts used on adventure-challenge-ropes-zip-line courses are manufactured in China and contain defects that can only be detected with elaborate testing, x-rays, or paranormal powers. Even American bolts may have such defects. The most common way to back up bolts is with a separate piece of cable wrapped around the anchor. But then one must ask ‘why am I using bolts if I have to wrap the pole anyway?’ Galvanized 5/8” and ¾” diameter bolts are usually adequate for you bolters out there.


Cable wrap back-up for two eye bolts

E1.001.001.C

Clamps and Ferrules

Only drop forged clamps should be used! Stainless steel clamps may be used on stainless steel cables.

Ferrules should be copper or zinc plated copper. Aluminum may be appropriate for European standards or American non life support applications. Clamps and Ferrules should be installed to manufacturer specifications. An additional clamp or ferrule should be installed on life support and other critical cables.

Comments: OSHA does not approve of U-type clamps used for life support applications. Only fist grip clamps and ferrules should be used for life support cables. Critical cables are defined as a cable whose failure could cause injury and death, ie catwalk, giant ladder…


MALIABLE CLAMPS ON 1X7 CABLE	PROPERLY INSTALLED U CLAMPS	FIST GRIP CLAMP	STAINLESS STEEL

Thimbles should be used on terminations that will experience repeated loading and movement.


	THIMBLES	FERRULES

F1.001.001.A

Gear

All gear; harnesses, helmets, pulleys, carabiners, tethers and such should be used in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. All components should have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs (23 kN). Full body harnesses should be used in all applications where the participant may receive falls greater than 2’ or may become inverted to an up-side-down position. Carabiners should have a locking mechanism. All gear and components that will have any contact with steel cable or bolts should be made out of steel, ie.. pulleys, carabiners, and links. All gear showing wear, deformation, or exceeding manufacturers life expectancy should be retired.

Comments: Aluminum wheeled pulley and trolleys should not be used on steel cable. Aluminum carabiners should not be used on steel cables. All gear should be inspected before each use. Records should be kept of purchase, use, damage, and retirement.

F1.001.001.B

Rope

Only appropriate rope should be used for adventure applications. Dynamic rope should be used where a fall greater than 2’ may occur. Static rope may be appropriate for top roping applications. Rope should be inspected and retired according to manufacturer recommendations.

Comments: Don’t use damaged or old rope. Inspect your ropes. Keep your rope clean. Learn your knots. Don’t step on a rope. Do not use tow ropes and damaged ropes for life support applications. Don’t use life support ropes for automotive and industrial applications.

G1.001.001.A

Inspection

Make sure everything is inspected regularly. A thorough inspection should be done annually by a professional person (meaning they carry the right insurance). Inspect everything including pole sections that are underground for rot and decay.

Comments: Damaged components should be retired, replaced, or sold on ebay. If you are unsure about the integrity of a component, then retire it or find a professional person to inspect it. Professional persons carry the right insurance for such activities. Rusty components usually should be retired. Damaged components should also be retired. Old components should be retired. Used equipment purchased on ebay should not be used.

H1.001.001.A

Training and staff competencies

All staff should be trained and be able to demonstrate the skills necessary to operate the course. Training should be documented. Training should be conducted by a professional person. Staff should be familiar with all procedures associated with the course including rescue, emergency, and first aid procedures. Staff should be familiar with proper protocols for working with special population..ie not using the term ‘biners’ when working with Hispanic populations.

I1.001.001.A

Ethical standards

Do onto other as you would have done onto you.

Take the high road.

Do the right thing.

Be kind.

Be supportive.

Be safe.

Appendices

Pole Treatments

Proper pole selection and treatment is key to safety. Old, retired poles that smell like gasoline and are oozing black goo should not be used. Some treatments are better than others. Some are downright dangerous for long term human health. Water borne treatments are preferred over oil borne treatments. Most oil borne treatments contain carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals).

A sleeve type liner is sometimes used to cover the portion of the post that will be in contact with the ground (with and without preservatives) to provide an extra layer of protection. It also contains the preservatives within the wood and prevents leaching into the soil. Some sleeves are added in the field while others are only applied by the manufacturer. Stainless steel ‘Pole Socks’ should be used in areas with active underground termites; etc. Hawaii, Central America, and my garden shed.

Water borne treatments:

CCA – Cromated Copper Arsenate-Usually the preferred treatment for support poles. The EPA says “Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is a chemical wood preservative containing chromium, copper and arsenic. CCA is used in pressure treated wood to protect wood from rotting due to insects and microbial agents. EPA has classified CCA as a restricted use product, for use only by certified pesticide applicators. CCA has been used to pressure treat lumber since the 1940s. Since the 1970s, the majority of the wood used in outdoor residential settings has been CCA-treated wood. Pressure treated wood containing CCA is no longer being produced for use in most residential settings, including decks and playsets.”

ACQ - Amine Copper Quat – Is slowly replacing CCA and may be required in some states. ACQ can cause excessive and premature rusting to galvanized components like bolts and cable. The EPA says “ACQ is a water-based wood preservative that prevents decay from fungi and insects (i.e., it is a fungicide and insecticide). There are currently four AWPA standardized ACQ formulations, ACQ Types A, B, C, and D. The different formulations allow flexibility in achieving compatibility with different wood species and end use applications. All ACQ types contain 2 active ingredients which may vary within the following limits: copper oxide (62%-71%), which is the primary fungicide and insecticide, and a quaternary ammonium compound (29%-38%), which provides additional fungicide and insect resistance properties.

ACQ-A: Standardized by the American Wood-Preservers’ Association (AWPA)¹ in 1992 and deleted in 2000 due to a lack of use.
ACQ-B: Standardized by the AWPA in 1992 and is primarily used for the treatment of western wood species such as Douglas fir because its ammonia carrier solution allows the ACQ to penetrate into these difficult-to-treat species. This formulation contains 66.7% copper oxide and 33.3% quat as didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC). ACQ-B treated wood has a dark greenish-brown color that fades to a lighter brown and may have a slight ammonia odor until dry.
ACQ-C: Standardized by the AWPA in 2002, it contains 66.7% copper oxide and 33.3% quat as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC). Ammonia and/or ethanolamine can be used as the carrying solution in this formulation. Wood treated with ACQ-C varies in color that ranges between that of type B and type D.
ACQ-D: Most wood-treating plants in the US generally use the ACQ-D formulation except for much of the west coast. Standardized by the AWPA in 1995, ACQ-D contains 66.7% copper oxide and 33.3% quat as DDAC. Type D differs from type B in that it uses an ethanolamine carrier solution rather than ammonia. Wood treated with ACQ-D has a lighter greenish-brown color with little odor.

Copper Azole is a water-based wood preservative that prevents fungal decay and insect attack; it is a fungicide and insecticide. There are two types of Copper Azole: A (CBA-A), and B (CA-B). Copper azole wood preservative is used for treating a variety of softwood species including southern pine, red pine, ponderosa pine, hem-fir and Douglas fir.

CBA-A: Copper Boron Azole type A was standardized by the American Wood-Preservers’ Association (AWPA)¹ in 1995 and contains the following ingredients: copper (49%), boron as boric acid (49%), and azole as tebuconazole (2%). Wood treated with CBA-A has a greenish-brown color and little or no odor. The use of CBA-A has been generally supplanted by the newer CA-B product.
CA-B: Copper Azole type B was standardized by the AWPA in 2002 and is composed of copper (96.1%) and azole as tebuconazole (3.9%). Wood treated with CA-B has a greenish-brown color and little or no odor. CA-B is in widespread use throughout the United States and Canada.

Applications of Copper Azole-Water-based preservatives like copper azole leave wood with a clean, paintable surface after they dry. Copper Azole is registered for treatment of millwork, shingles & shakes, siding, plywood, structural lumber, fence posts, building and utility poles, land and freshwater piling, composites, and other wood products that are used in above-ground, ground contact and fresh water as well as in salt water splash (marine) decking applications. (Never call anyone an azole. See ethics!)

ACZA - Ammoniacal Copper Zinc Arsenate – a CCA alternative that is patented and only used by JH Baxter, a pole treatment company. ACZA is the only treatment that shows significant reduction in woodpecker activity over other treatments.

ACA – Ammoniacal Copper Arsenate – another alternative to CCA.

EPA statement about ACZA and ACA “This wood has been preserved by pressure-treatment with an EPA-registered pesticide containing inorganic arsenic to protect it from insect attack and decay. Wood treated with inorganic arsenic should be used only where such protection is important.

Inorganic arsenic penetrates deeply into and remains in the pressure-treated wood for a long time. However, some chemical may migrate from treated wood into surrounding soil over time and may also be dislodged from the wood surface upon contact with skin. Exposure to inorganic arsenic may present certain hazards. Therefore, the following precautions should be taken both when handling the treated wood and in determining where to use or dispose of the treated wood.

Use-Site Precautions:

All sawdust and construction debris should be cleaned up and disposed of after construction.
Do not use treated wood under circumstances where the preservative may become a component of food or animal feed. Examples of such sites would be use of mulch from recycled arsenic-treated wood, cutting boards, counter tops, animal bedding, and structures or containers for storing animal feed or human food.
Only treated wood that is visibly clean and free of surface residue should be used for patios, decks and walkways.
Do not use treated wood for construction of those portions of beehives which may come into contact with honey.
Treated wood should not be used where it may come into direct or indirect contact with drinking water, except for uses involving incidental contact such as docks and bridges.

Handling Precautions:

Treated wood should not be burned in open fires or in stoves, fireplaces, or residential boilers because toxic chemicals may be produced as part of the smoke and ashes. Treated wood from commercial or industrial use (e.g., construction sites) may be burned only in commercial or industrial incinerators or boilers in accordance with state and Federal regulations. CCA-treated wood can be disposed of with regular municipal trash (i.e., municipal solid waste, not yard waste) in many areas. However, state or local laws may be stricter than federal requirements. For more information, please contact the waste management agency for your state.
Avoid frequent or prolonged inhalation of sawdust from treated wood. When sawing, sanding, and machining treated wood, wear a dust mask. Whenever possible, these operations should be performed outdoors to avoid indoor accumulations or airborne sawdust from treated wood.
When power-sawing and machining, wear goggles to protect eyes from flying particles.
Wear gloves when working with the wood. After working with the wood, and before eating, drinking, toileting, and use of tobacco products, wash exposed areas thoroughly.
Because preservatives or sawdust may accumulate on clothes, they should be laundered before reuse. Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing.

Oil Borne treatments – Should not be used where participant or staff will have contact with the treated poles. It may be appropriate for application where the pole is not in contact with participants or staff like zip line receiving poles or tower structure poles.

Creosote – is a distillate derived from coal tar, derived by the high temperature carbonization of bituminous coal. Creosote consists primarily of liquid and solid polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s) and contains some tar acids and tar bases. Over 100 known chemicals are components of creosote. A large body of experimental evidence exists which shows a positive relationship between exposure to creosote and development of tumors in experimental animals. In humans, evidence for carcinogenicity of creosote varies. Several studies have associated occupational exposure to creosote with development of skin cancer.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) was one of the most widely used biocides in the U.S. prior to regulatory actions to cancel and restrict certain non-wood preservative uses of pentachlorophenol in 1987. It now has no registered residential uses. Its commercial uses include: utility poles, fences, shingles, walkways, building components, piers, docks and porches, and flooring and laminated beams. Additionally, there are agricultural uses (which are sometimes referred to as “outdoor residential”), i.e., wood protection treatment to buildings/products, and fencerows/hedgerows. Prior to 1987, pentachlorophenol was registered for use as a herbicide, defoliant, mossicide, and as a disinfectant, but now all these uses are cancelled.

The Agency has received and granted requests from the registrants of pesticide products containing pentachlorophenol to terminate certain uses of their products. All non-pressure and non-thermal treatment uses (i.e., spray uses) will be deleted from the registrants’ labels. Spray uses for these products were also deleted, effective December 31, 2004. This action leaves only pressure and thermal treatments of pentachlorophenol. The non-pressure/non-thermal treatments in general lead to higher applicator exposures than other uses. In other words, you are not allowed to spray pentachlorophenol, and only pressure and thermal (heat) treatment uses are allowed. While EPA has identified some potential risks of concern, the risk estimates provided in this assessment are of a preliminary nature and subject to refinement.

Posted in Ropes course building standards | No Comments »

Rescue Rope Requirements- CMC Rescue

November 3rd, 2009

Impact Forces, Elongation, and Life Safety Rope

The elongation of a life safety rope relates directly to the impact forces encountered when the rope stops a fall. The important question is “how much elongation” is right for any particular application. A few years ago it was a simple choice. Sport climbing ropes had too much stretch, and “static” kernmantle caving ropes had enough stretch to provide some energy absorption, but not enough to make them inefficient in systems.

In 1998, the Cordage Institute published standard (CI-1801) that defined a “static” rope as having 1% to 6% elongation at 10% of the rope’s minimum breaking strength. A “low-stretch” rope would have 6% to 10% elongation at the rope’s minimum breaking strength. NFPA Standard 1983 on Life Safety Rope sets the standard for elongation between 1% and 10% at a load equal to 10% of the rope’s minimum breaking strength.

Elongation is really just another way of describing how much a rope will stretch when it is loaded suddenly. This stretching, or elongation, reduces the impact force. The greater the elongation, the less force felt by the system. A good example would be a bungee jumper taking a tremendous fall (jump) and stopping very comfortably. The critical factor, of course, is having plenty of distance in which to stop.

Unfortunately, in a rappel or stretcher system, rope with high elongation is a problem. When a person on rappel or tending a stretcher starts down, the rope stretches as the load increases. This means there is more rope between the anchor and the rescuer, causing an uncontrolled downward movement and introducing a risk of the rescuer hitting a ledge or the ground. With high elongation rope in a raising system, the haul team has to pull the stretch out of the rope before moving the load, thus reducing the team’s efficiency. For these operations, an ideal rope would have very low elongation.

It might seem that rope with high elongation would be appropriate as a belay line. After all, a belay line catching a fall is a dynamic event, and the impact forces throughout the system are greater than the static load. A high elongation rope would absorb energy and minimize the impact. But, as described above, this requires a safe distance in which to stop. Unfortunately, in rescue there are too many ledges, edges, and other hard things that could be more damaging to the rescuer and patient than having the rope stopping them quickly.

Determining How Much Elongation is Right for You Here is how we suggest you decide “how much elongation” is right for you. First, determine a maximum acceptable impact force that a stretcher system should be able to tolerate without causing harm to the people or failure of the system. The value that has been suggested by many, and is being considered for several standards is 15 kN. This number was proposed many years ago by the British Columbia Council on Technical Rescue for their Belay Competence Drop Test standard.

Next, determine the desired stopping distance in your belay system. This requires looking at both elongation in the rope and the type of belay device being used. The BCCTR standard recommends a maximum stopping distance of 1 meter. When you have determined your requirements for impact force and stopping distance, test your belay system to see if it meets your needs. View the system as a whole, including rope, belay device, operator, and anticipated loads.

Different belay systems can impart different impact forces on the system and should be tested as a unit. ASTM F2436-05 Standard Test Method for Measuring the Performance of Synthetic Rope Rescue Belay Systems and Equipment provides a test method for comparing one system to another. The best belay system will be one that arrests a fall in the shortest distance and stays below the maximum acceptable force on the system’s components.

NFPA 1983 (2006) Rope Performance Requirements

Light-Use

Minimum 3 sigma breaking strength (3s MBS) of not less than 20 kN (4,496 lbf.)

Minimum elongation of not less than 1% at 10% of the breaking strength

Maximum elongation of not more than 10% at 10% of the breaking strength

Minimum diameter of 9.5 mm (3/8-inch)

Maximum diameter of 12.5 mm (1/2-inch)

General-Use

Minimum 3 sigma breaking strength (3s MBS) of not less than 40 kN (8,992 lbf)

Minimum elongation of not less than 1% at 10% of the breaking strength

Maximum elongation of not more than 10% at 10% of the breaking strength

Minimum diameter of 11 mm (7/16-inch)

Maximum diameter of 16 mm (5/8-inch)

Note: the NFPA convention is to round off to the nearest .5 mm (1/64-inch).

New for 2006 is the lower diameter allowed for General-Use life safety ropes. Today, the fiber technology does not exist to make a 7/16-inch General-Use life safety rope, but the committee wanted to keep the door open for such a light weight, high-strength rope.

Also new for the 2006 edition is the requirement that the label provide the user with information on the elongation at specified working loads. This will greatly help the user determine which product best meets his requirements.

Elongation at 1.35 kN (300 lbf.)

Elongation at 2.7 kN (600 lbf.)

Elongation at 4.4 kN (1,000 lbf.)

NFPA 1983 (2006) Throwline Performance Requirements

Minimum breaking strength of not less than 13 kN (2,923 lbf.)

Minimum diameter of 7 mm (19/64-inch)

Maximum diameter of 9.5 mm (3/8-inch)

After a 24 hour immersion in water, the entire length of the throwline must float to the surface within one minute.

Posted in GEAR! All about ropes course, zip line, and rock climbing gear, Rock Climbing & Climbing Equipment, Rope - All about Rope | No Comments »

Prusiks vs. Gibbs Ascenders

November 3rd, 2009

Tandem Prusiks vs. Gibbs Ascenders

Tandem Prusiks vs. Gibbs Ascenders is a big topic of conversation in rope rescue today. For ascending, there is no discussion. Gibbs were designed for ascending, and they are a superior device for that. They easily attach, are strong, and grip well on icy or muddy ropes. They are much stronger than handled (toothed) ascenders and their cam does less damage to the rope when sliding up because it lacks the scores of “teeth” that other ascenders have.

The debate is when Gibbs are used in other than single person ascending applications, such as haul cams in mechanical advantage systems or for belays. In those uses they can cut, or desheath a rope at a relatively low level of force. Demonstrations in the CMC Rescue classes are routinely set where students are pulling on a rope with a 9:1, and Gibbs de-sheaths the rope. The core strands remain intact but if it were to happen during a rescue, it would mean stopping the operation and replacing the rope. Prusiks on the other hand, slip when the forces get too high. That slipping does not damage the main line, but it does warn a trained rescue team that something is wrong, perhaps the litter or the attendant’s foot is stuck. The slipping also relieves some of the force, but in a gradual manner.

The difference between the actions of Gibbs vs. Prusiks is even more apparent in belay applications when a load is suddenly dropped on to the belay device, such as a main anchor failure. Tandem prusiks will slip, and may even melt while slowly stopping the falling load. Gibbs will slam on the rope, cut the sheath and some of the core, and possibly even self destruct. In CMC Rescue School tests, pins and cams have broken and side plates have blown out.

When looking at various rope training manuals over the past 30 years, one will see that the evolution has been from Prusiks to Gibbs and now back to Prusiks for haul cams in mechanical advantage systems. The ratchet, or back cam, can still be a Gibbs because it is closely connected to the anchor and does not have the possibility to see the forces the haul cam sees. However, in CMC Rescue classes, after a Gibbs is tested and everyone sees what it can do in test situations, it is then put back in the bag and hardly ever comes out of the equipment cache.

Posted in GEAR! All about ropes course, zip line, and rock climbing gear, Rock Climbing & Climbing Equipment | 1 Comment »

Inspecting Rescue Ropes

November 3rd, 2009

INSPECTING RESCUE LIFELINES

A non-destructive test that will tell you how much strength your rope has left does not exist at this time. The decision to retire a rope or to keep it in service relies on good judgment that comes only from experience in working with rope. Inspecting a rescue rope involves visually looking for damage, feeling for damage, and checking the rope’s history in the rope log.

Check your rope carefully after each use to make sure there are no cuts, chafed areas, broken fibers, soft or hard spots, glazed surfaces, discolorations, variations in diameter or any other visible damage. If any of the above are noted, the rope should be destroyed.

Inspect a new rope before it is put into service and then after each use. The inspection should be done by an experienced person deemed qualified by the agency/organization. A complete inspection includes a visual and a tactile inspection.

Visually inspect the sheath to identify chafed areas, glazed surfaces, discoloration or variations in diameter. These areas should receive additional scrutiny during the tactile inspection. Look for areas of abrasion or cuts in the sheath where the core is exposed or enough of the sheath is worn that its ability to protect the core is compromised. The tactile inspection should be done with tension on the rope. Feel for variations in size and soft or hard spots that could indicate damage to the core or rope that has been overstressed. If any of the above are noted, the rope should be retired from service. If the rope has been subjected to shock loads, fall loads, or abuse other than normal rappel or rescue training, the rope should be retired from service.

Each rope should be inspected before being used even if the rope has never been placed in service. Keep ropes away from acids, alkalis, exhaust emissions, rust or other strong chemicals.

Do not allow rope to be shock loaded or used over sharp bends.

It is impossible to state when to retire a rope because of the many variations with each rope; but if you have any doubts about the integrity of a rope destroy it!

For more information on rope inspection, see the ASTM F 1740 – 96 Guide for Inspection of Nylon, Polyester, or Nylon/Polyester Blend, or both Kernmantle Rope.

Posted in GEAR! All about ropes course, zip line, and rock climbing gear, Rope - All about Rope | No Comments »

Washing Gear, Rope & Equipment

November 3rd, 2009

All equipment should be kept clean and free of dirt and grit to prevent wear that will reduce the strength, effectiveness, and life of equipment. After gear has been washed, remember to re-mark it if necessary and log that it has been washed. Rope & Webbing. Rinse off muddy or especially dirty rope or web with water. A Rope Washer like the ones by SMC or BOKAT makes this step easier. Scrub any tough spots with a nylon bristle brush. Soak the rope in a tub of water with a mild detergent. We recommend a special product made for washing nylon rope, called Lifeline Cleaner, which also works well on turnouts and hoses. Woolite or other mild detergents that are safe for nylon may also be used. The rope can be rinsed using a rope washer or placed directly into the washing machine.

Washing rope and webbing in a top-loading washing machine is the easiest method. Run the empty machine through a cycle with plain water to rinse any harsh detergents from the machine before starting. Use cold water and the appropriate amount of Lifeline Cleaner or detergent.

Double the rope (or web) and “daisy-chain” it. This keeps single lines from tangling or getting caught in the agitator. Put the rope in the machine and wash on the gentle cycle. If the rope bag needs washing, put it in with the rope.

During the rinse cycle, add a small amount of Downy fabric softener. (No more than one ounce of Downy to 3 gallons of water.) The fabric softener replaces the lubricant the rope loses during use and washing.

Air dry the rope and webbing in a cool, shaded place. Do NOT dry nylon products in the sun because of the damaging effects on nylon from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays. If necessary, ropes can be stuffed into the bags wet. The ropes may mildew but this does not adversely effect the rope.

Rope that has come into contact with blood or other body fluids can be cleaned using a chlorine bleach per your department’s protocols for decontaminating equipment. Wellington Commercial Cordage states that the small amount of bleach specified in most decontamination protocols will have minimal effect on the rope’s fibers.

Sewn Nylon Gear

The “D” rings and buckles on these tend to damage washing machines. Use Lifeline Cleaner to soak them in a tub. Light scrubbing with a brush should remove heavy dirt deposits. Rinse and air-dry the same as rope and webbing.

Hardware.
When necessary, wash hardware in warm to hot water using a mild dish soap. If needed, WD-40* may be used on metal gear. Be sure to get all of the dirt out of any moving parts by using a cloth or toothbrush. Rinse and towel or blow-dry. Use of a dry or non-sticky lubricant following washing may help preserve the life and performance of your hardware. To maximize gear action, use Metolius Cam Lube. Its thinner formulation penetrates into small areas better and maintains a thinner layer to better repel dirt and buildup. Graphite is also an excellent lubricant, but it is filthy. We recommend Silicon spray lubricant.

*WD40 is a fairly powerful solvent. You don\\\’t want to get it on adhesives, paint, some plastics or nylon and Spectra. You MUST dry completely before storing gear with harnesses, helmets, webbing, or ropes.

Posted in GEAR! All about ropes course, zip line, and rock climbing gear, Rope - All about Rope, Ropes Challenge Courses, Zip Lines | 1 Comment »

All About Rope Climbing Ropes

November 3rd, 2009

Dynamic & Static Ropes
If you are purchasing a rope for general climbing use (top rope, lead climbing etc.) you must have a dynamic climbing rope. Dynamic ropes are designed to absorb the energy of a falling climber, and are usually used as belaying ropes. When a climber falls, the rope stretches, reducing the maximum force experienced by the climber, the belayer, and the equipment.

Static ropes are more durable and resistant to abrasion and cutting than dynamic ropes, but they lack the necessary protection against shock loads produced in a leader fall. Static ropes are designed for rappelling, rescue purposes and technical climbing situations (i.e. Big Walls). If you take a fall on a static rope you risk injury or death (due to high forces). Logic: Force = mass * acceleration => Force = mass * (distance / time ^ 2) => a dynamic rope increases ‘time’ and therefore decreases force.

Wet & Dry Ropes
Soggy ropes are heavier and less able to absorb falls. In cold conditions, absorbed water can freeze and make a rope weak and unmanageable.

Dry-treated ropes last longer than non-dry ropes and are easier to handle when wet. However, they are not completely waterproof, and treatments do wear off over time. (Wash-in products are available for re-waterproofing your rope).

Non-dry ropes are less expensive and ideal for use in dry conditions.

Diameter
Single climbing ropes are typically between 9mm – 11mm in diameter. ‘Single Ropes’ are progressively becoming thinner and lighter due to progress in technology. ‘Half Ropes’ and ‘Twin Ropes’ vary between 8mm and a little over 9mm.

The correlation between weight and diameter is a loose one, so if your concern is weight, look at weight, not diameter.

Weight is typically listed as total weight or weight per meter. These days light ropes weigh in at less than 60 grams while heavier ropes can be as much as 80 grams. Keep in mind that a thinner diameter rope is not necessarily lighter. Climbing ropes are often created denser to decrease the diameter.

Length
Single climbing ropes are typically between 50 meters and 70 meters. Talk to your local gear store (or local climbers) about the ideal length for your area. A 60 meter rope is ideal for most areas.

Choose a rope length depending on the types of routes you typically climb.
Longer ropes allow longer pitches and rappels; however, shorter ropes weigh less and take up less space.

‘UIAA Falls’ is a standardized rating that every climbing rope receives from the UIAA (Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme), which has established standard testing procedures to measure how a rope reacts to severe falls. This concept is confusing to most new climbers. If your rope is rated at 8 ‘UIAA Falls’ it may withstand (a lot) more than 8 falls*. ‘UIAA Falls’ create a worst case scenario and repeats it until rope failure. Details are available at the UIAA website.

*One fall can do core damage to a rope. Always inspect your rope.

UIAA falls are calculated with an 80 kg (176 lbs) weight for single ropes and a 55 kg (122 lbs) for half and twin ropes.

Impact Force & Fall Factor
‘Impact Force’ is measured in kilonewtons. ‘Impact Force’ is the amount of force the climber can receive after taking a fall (worst case scenario). Low maximum impact force means the rope (not the climber or the protection) absorbs more of the energy generated in a fall. However, such ropes stretch more, increasing your chances of hitting the ground or a ledge. The fall factor is the ratio of the distance you fall to the length of the rope. The highest fall factor possible is a 2, which puts the maximum strain on your rope. A fall factor of 1 is moderate, and a fall factor of less than 1 is light. The force of your shock is dependent upon the fall factor, your weight, and the type of rope you use. Dynamic rope considerably decreases the shock a climber feels because it has the ability to stretch and absorb more of the force.

Static elongation is the stretch of a rope when weighted with an 80 kg load (176 lbs). Ropes with low static elongation stretch less (useful in aid climbing). Higher static elongation means ropes have more stretch (cushioning the impact of a fall).
Inspecting Rope
Inspecting a climbing rope for damage is not a simple process to describe. Knowing the history of your climbing rope is critical. The durability of a rope depends on how often you use it and how often you fall.

Do not buy used climbing ropes. Exposing your ropes to acids, certain chemicals, urine and other items can retire your rope. Extensive sun exposure also decreases the strength of a rope. Water will temporarily decrease the overall strength of your climbing rope (while it is wet). Sandy environments also can decrease the life of a rope due to sand being trapped in core of the rope.

All climbing ropes’ sheaths will lightly fray due to abrasion, but you do want to look for sheath damage, such as cuts, that compromise the rope’s abilities.

The core of a rope can be inspected by pinching a bend of rope, between your fingers. If you feel a spot where the rope seems to ‘flatten’ you may have core damage. Continue pinching the rope until you have checked each section of the rope.

The ends of the rope (where you tie-in) typically receive the most wear. Therefore some climbers cut off the ends of their rope on occasion.
Washing Rope
You can wash your rope in a washing machine. To avoid doing damage to your rope, put your rope in a pillow case and tie it shut prior to washing your rope. Make sure you wash your rope using the ‘cold’ setting. Consult your climbing rope company regarding acceptable detergents / washing machines.
Retiring Rope
The life of a climbing rope is a very popular question. The short answer is that it depends on how you use your rope, how careful you are with it, how durable of a rope you purchased and how often you fall on it. Always inspect your rope for damage and if there is any doubt about the safety of a climbing rope retire it.

Even if your rope shows no visible signs of wear, consider these basic guidelines for rope retirement:

- Occasional Use (every other weekend or so) — Replace after three to four years

- Consistent Weekend Climbing — Replace after one to two years

- Sport Climbing — Repeated, short falls can be very hard on a rope. Replace about every six months up to a year.

- Hard Falls — Replace your rope after ANY hard fall. Also replace it if it has flat or soft spots, becomes stiff or shows sheath damage.

- In Doubt? — If you’re not sure, replace it!
Rope Bags
Rope Bags provide protection from the elements when storing and carrying climbing ropes. Most rope bags convert into a tarp. This provides you with a clean area to place the rope while belaying.

ROPE LIFE: When to Retire Your Rescue Lifeline
The Climbing Sports Group of the Outdoor Recreation Coalition of America makes the following recommendation for retiring a climbing rope. When in doubt, retire your rope. Generally, ropes should be discarded after holding a long, hard fall; if they have flat or soft spots; become stiff; or show sheath damage. Retire climbing ropes after no more than four years of occasional use, two years of weekend climbing, or one year of active use. Retiring a rope after only six months of hard use isn’t uncommon; some of the climbing gyms are finding that sheaths are wearing out after only a few weeks of intensive use. Also, multiple short lead falls, bounding rappels, and shock-loaded top-rope falls can have a negative accumulative effect of the rope’s shock-absorbing capacity. How does this apply to rescue ropes? The heavier sheaths on rescue ropes and fewer shock loads should allow a longer life than is expected from a rock climbing rope. According to DuPont, the shelf life of their Nylon T707 (such as Wellington Commercial Cordage uses to make CMC Rescue Lifeline) should be indefinite unless altered by excessive exposure to certain chemicals, heat and sunlight. In the safety field, 1 to 2 years of use and 5 years of storage are recommended for synthetic ropes.1 In June of 1990, Wellington Commercial Cordage tested samples of Rhino Rescue Rope stored for seven years by Bridger Coal’s mine rescue team in Wyoming. The sample was 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) diameter, low-stretch kernmantle rope. The manufacturer’s new rope tensile strength rating was 9,000 pounds (40.34 kN). For comparison, the independent lab tests on new Rhino Rescue Rope in 1983 averaged 10,495 pounds (47.04 kN). The test results from the Bridger Coal samples suggest minimal strength loss when the rope is properly stored.
Break #1 ………………………….. 11,200 pounds (50.20 kN)

Break #2 ………………………….. 10,600 pounds (47.51 kN)

Break #3 ………………………….. 11,000 pounds (49.30 kN)

Average …………………………… 10,933 pounds (49.00 kN)

Posted in Rope - All about Rope | 8 Comments »

What is a Ropes Course

November 3rd, 2009

THE POWER OF CHALLENGE

Ropes and challenge courses are quickly becoming the most exciting and effective training tools for promoting human development through experiential learning. Over the past twenty years their popularity has grown rapidly. Originally developed to target youth and summer camp programs as a recreational activity, Ropes and Challenge Courses are now being implemented to meet very specific needs of a much broader and ever-growing audience. Customized facilitation of these programs can be designed to explore group interaction, problem solving and leadership amongst co-workers of every level of corporate, associate, and small company groups. These programs are now also providing amazing learning experiences for Treatment, Awareness, and Substance Abuse Prevention Programs. The challenge course is beginning to be used as a highly successful therapeutic medium in the Mental and Physical Health Industry and has long been the leading tool utilized to teach and empower at-risk youth. Because ropes and challenge course programs are so versatile and cater to everyone regardless of physical ability, the possibilities of expanding their usefulness to meet your specific needs are endless.

A ropes course is not an obstacle or survival course, but a series of individual and group challenges presented in a natural setting, guided by a staff of professional facilitators. Participants have a safe and supportive atmosphere in which they can explore their personal potential and capabilities. Generally, these courses are comprised of a low ropes program and a high ropes program. Low ropes courses consist of a series of real and imaginary obstacles designed to challenge groups and individuals to work together to accomplish a task. These activities take place on the ground and up to two feet above the ground. They focus on building team cooperation, communication, trust, respect, group problem-solving and decision making. By attempting an increasingly more difficult series of activities, which involve physical and emotional risk, and succeeding (or sometimes failing) in a supportive group atmosphere, a participant begins to develop a sense of self-worth. They learn to take on responsibility for their actions and accomplishments.

Participants will be encouraged to try new things that may place them outside of their natural comfort zones. The benefits of participating in a low ropes are numerous. Groups often come away with an enhanced group morale and more supportive team behavior. After having this shared experience they discover hidden strengths and abilities, improve communications, build bonds of trust, and increase respect and support amongst team members.

The high ropes part of the challenge course program focuses on individual achievements and asks participants to confront their personal fears and anxieties. Challenges may be physical and/or emotional. The high ropes course is generally conducted from 30-50 feet above the ground. Considering the redundant safety measures: harnesses, ropes, and highly trained facilitators, the “actual risk”: real danger of participating on a high course is very small. However, the “perceived risk”: the danger or vulnerability felt by the participant can be extreme. This is where mental challenges and personal victories come into play.

The “challenge by choice” philosophy will be implemented and will empower the participant to make their own decisions. They will be encouraged to expand their boundaries of comfort, though the degree and extent of participation always remains the individuals’ choice. A well facilitated high ropes course can be one of the most powerful experiences for a person or group to have. It helps individuals go beyond pre-conceived limitations, developing courage and strength of mind, body and character. In many cases the high ropes course results in a radical, empowering, life-changing experience.

A high course is usually built with utility poles, cables, and ropes, that is built by a contractor, or it can be a course that is hand built in a wooded area, where ropes and cable is attached between different trees. High ropes courses can also be described as static or dynamic. With a static course, participants are attached to an upper belay cable, with ropes, harnesses, and carabiners for safety. If the participant dangles, they will be caught by the wire. On a dynamic course, participants are connected to a rope, which a professional facilitator will be connected to and belaying the participant from the ground. Both static and dynamic methods are equally acceptable and safe. Advantages of a static course include the ability to use fewer facilitators, and to be able to get more participants up on the course at one time. However, a dynamic course allows for participants to be lowered to the ground much more easily. Dynamic courses can also be used to provide several positions of responsibility and leadership for those participants on the ground.

Over the years, ropes and challenge courses have successfully found their way into almost every aspect of business, education, health and recreation, vastly expanding the ideas and possibilities of human development. Twenty years of study and research by numerous agencies, has found that such experiential learning activities are extremely valuable in allowing participants to build self esteem, confidence, inter-personal skills, leadership abilities, and social values. Participants are given the opportunity to support each other physically andemotionally, enhancing group dynamics of communication, trust, respect and of course camaraderie and fun. For those participating for recreational purposes, there are few activities that compete with a ropes course for the sheer fun and exhilaration, to say nothing of the sense of personal achievement which every individual takes with them. Ropes and challenge course programs are and will continue to help people realize that they have the abilities to overcome seemingly impossible challenges, here-by building hope for the future, in turn, changing lives.

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”

– Oliver Wendall Holmes

Posted in Ropes Challenge Courses | No Comments »

Man Falls 25 Feet At NH Ropes Course

November 3rd, 2009

Jul 23, 2009 1:44 pm US/Eastern

Man Falls 25 Feet At NH Ropes Course TAMWORTH, N.H. (AP) ―
A man fell 25 feet at a ropes course in Tamworth, N.H., and was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

WMWV reports Fire Chief Richard Colcord says the 25-year-old man was up and walking around when he arrived Tuesday night at the Monkey Trunks ropes course, which features various levels of rope climbs.

Posted in Accidents and Injuries - ropes course & zip lines | No Comments »

Zip Line Safety Considerations

November 3rd, 2009

Zip-Line Slides and Horizontal Gliders

Zip-line slides, also called cable-trolley rides, are simple, inexpensive-to-install pieces of playground apparatus that are found in many recreational environments. Historically they have been located mostly in a more isolated camp setting, but they are now often found in a county or municipal park, on a school playground, and even on YMCA premises, sometimes in the more sophisticated form of a horizontal glider. These minimal pieces of equipment offer an enormous amount of potential fun. They also offer an equally enormous amount of probable injury. Frequent and often severe injuries result: some arise from physical defects, more from user incompatibility, but most result from inadequate supervision.

A zip-line’s most common use is as an adventure or thrill ride, but they are also used as an entry device for swimming holes in lakes, ponds, or rivers. Thus, their ride paths and termini may vary significantly. They also differ in type, most being simple “hang on and drop” devices. Some, however, have seats or stands and the rider stays on the device until it is (basically) motionless before disembarking. The height above the ground at the end position also may differ significantly on “home-made” systems.

The following list depicts the four avenues of potential loss that must be thoroughly considered and adequately addressed to provide an acceptable zip-line experience. All are important, but laxness in the area of supervision will completely negate even stellar work in all the others.

Design: adequate consideration and selection of the site and physical components;
Installation: proper and substantial cable anchoring and resilient surface preparation;
Maintenance: documented, regular, and responsive; includes documented inspections
Supervision: ownership, operation, participants, monitoring;

The following basic physical components and potential defects are part of the safety equation in each of the first three aspects of zip-line safety.

Components: cable (steel wire rope) or rail (rigid metal pipe, bar, or channel) with a slight downward slant from the starting to the ending point; hereafter called “cable”;
supports at each end of the cable that are capable of holding the assembly’s total dynamic force when used to capacity; this can be a single post, a pair of posts joined by a beam, an arch, a tree, a building, etc. at each end;
anchor connections at each end of the cable to secure the cable to the support;
an elevated starting platform (or terrain such that the slope of the ground from the starting point to the ending point is greater than that of the cable);
a carriage consisting of a carrier assembly with at least 1 roller that allows movement along the cable from the starting point to the ending point;
a handle, standing peg, or seat on which the rider hangs, stands, or sits while riding; the norm is a handle from which the rider drops to the ground;
a termination block to stop the forward progress of the carriage and end the ride; sometimes the cable is strung so that an arc describes its path instead of a line… in such cases, if there is enough difference both vertically and horizontally between the low point and the end point of the cable, a block is unnecessary, as the obtainable momentum is insufficient for a rider to reach the cable’s end;

Potential defects supports improperly installed post, posts, or arch; vertical member not deep enough in the ground, not set in concrete, and/or not adequately braced;
inadequate mass or holding potential of other support to sustain the forces contemplated, e.g., too small a structure, too small a tree, etc.;
inappropriate condition of support, e.g., damaged post, unhealthy tree or root system, deteriorated structure, unstable ground around the post, etc.

anchor connections: inadequate material, size, or strength rating for the forces and elements contemplated;
mounted in such a way that normal flexing of the system will either – allow the anchor connection to work free;
- cause damage to the support or anchor point;

situated so that they may cause injury to participants;

cable and cable installation: insufficient strength rating for the potential load;
inadequately anchored or connected;
too high above the ground; norm is approximately 72″ above grade
excessive slope on the cable from starting to ending positions;
inadequate cable arc to ensure self-stopping (i.e., low point of cable arc not low enough with respect to end point to prevent riding to cable end) ;
inadequate cable end position to ensure self-stopping (i.e., cable end not far enough from the low point of the cable arc to prevent riding to cable end);
cable is frayed or otherwise damaged;

carriage: accessible to participant (from ground, handle, peg, or seat);
inadequately guarded roller(s);
loose assembly or mounting bolts;
worn or defective roller(s);

handle, peg, or seat: peg or seat is of a design that allows or encourages the rider to jump off rather than disembark after the motion has ceased; (note: handles are designed for dropping off while the ride is in motion);
handle, peg, or seat is insufficiently attached (by design or by wear);

starting point of the ride: starting platform is excessively elevated (i.e., is so high a fall would cause injury)
starting platform has inadequate guarding (i.e., is high enough that it warrants a restricting barrier around its perimeter that is not so provided);
starting platform has inadequate access (i.e., is high enough that ladder or steps should be provided and are not, or that steps are provided, but they are of a height that warrants a hand rail that is not provided);
starting platform allows participant access to the carriage;

termination block: missing (and required by design of the cable installation);
loose or otherwise insufficiently attached;
too close to support, allowing participant to strike support;

fall zone: fall zone dimensions are inadequately defined, i.e., the fall zone: – does not begin 6′ before the starting point,
- does not extend at least 6′ to each side of the cable’s pathway, or the footprint of the support if double posts or arches are used;
- does not extend past the end point as far as a person could reasonably be expected to land (i.e., probably more than 6′);

fall zone is not protected by fall absorption material (i.e., bare dirt, grass, hard-paved surface, etc. is found in the fall zone);
fall absorption material of an unsatisfactory type is provided – unacceptable include: :: sand;
:: wood chips or compacted wood shavings
:: dirt commingled with wood chips or round aggregate
:: crushed rock or similar products;
- acceptable include: :: engineered hardwood fiber;
:: non-compacted wood fiber or shavings
:: shredded tires,
:: clean round aggregate (1/4″ or 3/8″ with no sand)
:: engineered composition mat or similar product;

fall absorption material is of insufficient depth for the type: minimum acceptable is 12″ depth of non-compacted wood shavings or shredded tires
may be less for engineered hardwood chips or engineered composition mats, etc. (see manufacturers’ guidelines);

Maintenance: annual documented inspections (with documentation saved at least 3 years) should be made of: cable and anchor connections;
carriage assembly;
fall zone protection;

daily inspections should be made of: starting platform (not wet, not icy, proper access, etc.)
carriage assembly (moves freely, properly riding on cable, inaccessible to participants)
handle, peg, or seat (not wet, adequately secure, etc.)
fall zone protection (no foreign material, loose protective material sufficiently spread, etc.)

preventative maintenance (documented annual check of all moving and structural components)
responsive maintenance (documented verification of inspection corrections)

As noted above, supervision or lack thereof, presents the largest potential for loss from these pieces of equipment. The loss can arise from ownership, use, improperly qualified participants, or inadequate monitoring, as noted below.

Ownership: attractive nuisance hazard: “if it is there, they will come;” such an attraction creates liability, even if it is in a remote location or behind a locked fence; its very presence will probably make any injury affix to the owner (or a corporate user, i.e., an entity who allows children to use the equipment as part of their program or use of the general area) as the child is not old enough to assume the risk of use;
installation: deficiencies of construction, such as noted in the above sections, will haunt any defense because of the age of the victim; the only possible reprieve might come from use by a corporate user, and then probably only with an appropriately drafted use agreement;
maintenance: deficiencies of maintenance and inspection, as noted in the above sections will similarly haunt any defense, again reprieved only by a corporate user and a favorable use agreement;
use agreements: a properly worded agreement can be used to contractually shift complete responsibility to a corporate user (at least as long as they are the entity controlling the equipment or playground); lack of any such contract between owner and corporate user will leave the owner probably liable for attractive nuisance related losses and possibly liable for losses attributed to installation and maintenance.

Use: use agreements: such a document that favors the property owner instead of the corporate user (e.g., a YMCA who uses a school grounds for after-school care) can make the corporate user responsible for the owner’s deficiencies; a neutral document could specify that the owner is responsible for injury arising from inadequate construction or maintenance;
inspections: even with a neutral or positive use agreement, a corporate user will probably be held liable for lacking or insufficient inspections, especially of the daily variety, as they are the last responsible party to view the equipment;
maintenance: unless the use agreement is very owner-favorable, this arena is not the responsibility of the corporate user, but the results of inadequate maintenance may still be accrued to the corporate user because of the responsibility to inspect;
local condition response: this responsibility is an extension of inspections, but references not innate physical equipment defects but temporary ones caused by weather (wet or icy equipment, etc.) or other factors (drop-zone insufficiency caused by shifted resilient material, tree limbs, animal excrement, etc.)

Participants: individually appropriate with regard to age: zip-lines are virtually inappropriate for <5 year olds, and only for 5-12 year-olds under certain construction and physical size conditions;
size: even age-appropriate children may be too small for the equipment, if their stature will cause too great a distance for a safe drop to the ground.
physical condition: even appropriately sized, age-appropriate children may not have sufficient strength to safely ride some of the longer devices to the end, or may not be resilient enough to safely drop to the ground at the ride’s termination;

appropriate numbers: completely qualified children may be so numerous or so active that supervision by any number of staff is inadequate;

Monitoring: supervision by staff qualified personnel: staff supervising the play area should be certified in first aid and CPR;
adequate number on duty: minimum ratios as required by licensing or by internal standards should never be violated; this is a type of activity that should require supervision above minimum ratios; if staffing is not available, the equipment should be off-limits to the children;
proper positioning with regard to equipment: staff needs to be properly situated with regard to the activity, i.e., one near the start to supervise and assist children getting on the device and another one near the end to oversee dismounts and to keep the area clear of other children; if the length is sufficient, another should be stationed in the middle;
attentive demeanor: all staff assigned to this equipment should be actively monitoring it when it is in use; as can be surmised, the equipment demands significant supervision;

no unsupervised use permitted: strict enforcement with mandatory discipline should be employed; to permit access is to embrace liability;

Most reported injuries arising from zip-lines are significant, with the most frequent being a fractured bone. By far the most frequent cause of injury is inadequate monitoring, often exacerbated by the age inappropriateness of the victim. Since participant usage is controlled (or not controlled) actively or passively by the staff and management, that whole sector is actually monitoring also.

Zip lines are relatively inexpensive pieces of equipment to install: their expense is operational (from staff time expended for maintenance and monitoring) and consequential (from pain and suffering experienced, and dollars spent because of injuries). A commercially fabricated and professionally installed horizontal glider reduces some of the exposure by a more controlled environment (i.e., a shorter drop, shorter ride, more protected carriage, etc.). Such a unit also transfers some of the exposure, as the liability for design, manufacture, and installation belongs to the manufacturer and installer, not the owner, assuming they will be accessible at the time of an incident. The bottom line, however, is that any of these units should be carefully considered before installation

Posted in Zip Lines | 6 Comments »

Seventh grader dies after injury on resort zip line

November 3rd, 2009

Seventh grader dies after injury on resort zip line

Farragut seventh grader dies after injury on resort zip line
Posted: Oct 09, 2008 7:57 AM MST
Updated: Nov 09, 2008 8:57 AM MST

KNOXVILLE (WATE/AP) — A Farragut seventh grader died four days after being injured during a church retreat in southeastern Tennessee.

Zach Weimer was riding a zip line at Horn’s Creek NOC Resort in Ocoee when the accident happened on Saturday.

Zach was riding the 1,000-foot cable when he struck a wooden ladder device used to take the previous rider off the line.

His injuries included a fractured skull, an injury to his brain, fractured lumbar vertebrae, fractured ankle and punctured eardrum.

His family set up a Web site so people could keep up with Zach condition and post their thoughts and prayers online.

Zach’s older sister, Kelly Weimer, was with him at the church retreat. She says she had a conversation with her brother just before the accident. The two of them spoke about the blessings in their lives. Kelly says she showed Zach her list of reasons to be thankful.

“He said, ‘I don’t need a piece of paper. There are too many things I am thankful for. It would take a million pieces of paper’, but the main thing he said he was thankful for was his family and that memory I will hold onto forever,” Kelly says.

Zach’s family says he loved sports and adventure. They believe since he didn’t see the collision coming, he was never afraid and hopefully didn’t feel pain.

“We have this incredible picture of him on the zip line. He might have hit there in his bodily form but he continued on that zip line and God was his harness and just carried him away, just kept carrying him,” says Zach’s father, Shawn Weimer.

The family also says their son’s death was an accident. They don’t blame the resort or any of the staff members.

“Accidents happen and we feel the pain of the person who made the mistake and we pray for that person. That was our second prayer when we got in the car after hearing the news. It was for the person who made the mistake,” says Sally Weimer, Zach’s mother.

Zach was treated at Erlanger Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga.

To make a donation to a fund set up in Zach’s name, click here.

The family will receive friends at Click Funeral Home’s Farragut chapel from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday with a celebration of life to follow at 11:00 at Two Rivers Church. Since this is a celebration, the family asks please don’t wear black.

Graveside services will be private.

Instead of flowers, the family asks for donations to Feeding God’s Children (Guatemala) or Robins Nest Children’s Home (Jamaica) c/o Two Rivers Church, 275 Harrison Lane, Lenoir City, TN 37772.

Posted in Accidents and Injuries - ropes course & zip lines | No Comments »

ARTICLES / BLOG

Rescue Rope Requirements- CMC Rescue

Prusiks vs. Gibbs Ascenders

Inspecting Rescue Ropes

Washing Gear, Rope & Equipment

All About Rope Climbing Ropes

What is a Ropes Course

Man Falls 25 Feet At NH Ropes Course

Zip Line Safety Considerations

Seventh grader dies after injury on resort zip line

Seventh grader dies after injury on resort zip line

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