A lot of times we head into the woods on search and rescue not really knowing what we are going to get into. I have put together a small kit that can help me access a patient and or start the evacuation process. Now remember, if I know I am going to a high angle call, I will likely choose similar but more material. For instance I wold go with a Petzl Sitta Harness over the Altitude.
Petzl Altitude Harness (The Tour harness is a bit cheaper and only a little heavier)
Reverso (plaquette style device) with round stock carabiner
2 5mm Prussik loops
120cm sewn sling
180cm sewn sling
21’ 7mm cord
2 non-locking carabiners
I use the Altitude harness that is made for ski mountaineering. It is not that comfortable to sit in for long periods but it is very light and packable. Sometimes I will carry the Sitta instead especially if there is a good chance we will be in vertical terrain.
The Connect Adjust is one of the only single use tool that I carry. It just does the job of tethering to an anchor or a basket exceptionally well. The dynamic properties out build its value and make it worth the weight. It also is a great tether when working in and out of helicopters.
The Grigri is a bit heavy but it solves so many problems so well. You can ascend, descend at any given time, you can use it as a progress capture and in some situations and configurations use it to raise and lower patients.
The Reverso is a great belay tool that can be used in series with the grigri to provide enough holding power to manage a basket. It also has many descent and ascension uses. If you can find a round stock carabiner for this it will be much smoother.
I cut my Prussik loops to 3’7”. These seem to work well with most sized mountain rescue ropes.
The micro traction provides a pulley as well as a progress capture. It is an invaluable tool in rescue.
I use UHMWP slings to keep weight down.
I use nylon cord as it has better properties than some of the thinner tech cords on the market and in use it is hard to know if a small cord is tech cord or just thin nylon in which case the strength is drastically less.
I choose HMS carabiners so that they are all Munter hitch compatible.
The two non-locking carabiners mostly get used to hold things on my harness but can also deploy these things in some scenarios when all others are being used.
If every one on your team has these tools, all put together you can preform some pretty complicated systems.
For more information or rescue training head over to Pisgah Climbing School’s page.