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Suspension Trauma occurs when someone is hanging immobie in a harness for a period of time which varies from individual to individual. Having a chest harness of any sort will make no difference at all.
Mike Hopley wrote:Suspension Trauma occurs when someone is hanging immobie in a harness for a period of time which varies from individual to individual. Having a chest harness of any sort will make no difference at all.
That's correct.
But there are other risks to consider. Becoming unconscious on rope, without a chest harness to keep you upright, could lead to the airway being closed by the tongue. This would also apply when using a bungee cord chest "harness".
Suspension trauma kills rapidly, but not as rapidly as a closed airway (~4 minutes max). Perhaps because of this, the first step in a mid-rope pickoff is to ensure the casualty is supported by his chest harness, or -- if he's not wearing one -- to improvise one quickly if you can. At least, that's what Alpine Caving Techniques says.
Stridergdm wrote:I'll step in here and say the first step of a pick-off should be: "consider another plan". Pick-offs can be very dangerous for the rescuer and can end up with two people stranded on rope.
Scott McCrea wrote:When time is ticking and someone stuck on rope needs help, time is best spent planning for an option other than a pick-off.
Mike, have you tried the "cut the rope" technique with a conscious but uncooperative subject?
Or in a waterfall?
NZcaver wrote:Better to just rig your rope releasable so you can lower from above (if circumstances permit), and lower the immobile subject down. Of course that won't work with rebelays and in certain other sticky situations. Cutting the rope during a pickoff is something you better be damn sure about before you attempt it.
Scott McCrea wrote:Goob does a good job demonstrating how, in the heat of the moment, even the most practiced and level-headed rope users can quickly make mistakes when cutting rope.
Scott McCrea wrote:The same could be said of internet forums.
Scott McCrea wrote:The same could be said of internet forums.
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