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Rescue rack Bar - We can still using it?
Fellows, Do you have any information about the non use of the rescue rack bars?
A instructor told me that it's not recommendable to use this hardware piece becuase recent investigations, I looked after it on the UIAA but they don't say anything about it.
I have this big doubt and I dont see this hardware piece with the same eyes since that.
Keep safe.
A instructor told me that it's not recommendable to use this hardware piece becuase recent investigations, I looked after it on the UIAA but they don't say anything about it.
I have this big doubt and I dont see this hardware piece with the same eyes since that.
Keep safe.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by dwn164 on
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The last class I participated in. The instructor said that you can in a last resort but advised against using it due to failure of the bars not holding. But that was the only time I ever heard of it.
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Bacigalupo on
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I understand, but for example in your operations you still using it?
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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Do you have a photo of exactly what you're talking about?
There are several different types of brake bar racks, and all of them have been called "rescue" racks at one time or another. -
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There are the rescue bar rack from CMC, I attach the image of this hardware. I'll appreciate your comment.
Keep safe. - Attachments:
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300890.jpg, 10 KB
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There are three different versions of this rack. This is the "J Frame" rack. In the oldest versions, the eye was not welded, as it was intended only for single-person rappels. When subjected to rescue loads, the frame could bend and start to straighten out under load - not a good thing, obviously.
The second version had a longer end that was wrapped around in a complete coil. These worked OK, but still didn't have a welded or other permenant join betweent the end of the steel bar stock and the top of the eye.
The version you showed is fine for rescue work - they're in use all over the U.S. Here's an example of one currently available with the extended "hyperbar" to facilitate tie-offs. The only problems with these come if they're subjected to side loading, usually when they're dragged over an edge under tension. As long as you rig high to avoid edge transition problems and do your periodic PM checks including inspecting the bars, the nut, and the eye weld, the rack should be fine.
A better choice is the "U frame" rack developed by cavers. This one is designed to rig to your harness in the bend in the frame, so there's less chance of side-loading the rack under a load. Several examples of U-Frame racks can be found here.
There is a new design that includes a spring-loaded stopper device, the MIO-R. It is based on a modified U-Frame brake bar rack.
The S.C. Fire Academy routinely used U-Frame racks (NFPA 1983 General Use rated) for rope rescue classes. It is the basis for rappelling and lowering rescue (two-person) loads in these classes.
There is also a third rack style, the O-Frame rack. These racks are a cross between a U-Frame rack and a screw link. Examples can be found here. I don't think these have the NFPA rating yet. -
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Permalink Reply by TrainingTECH1 on
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CMC rescue had a recall a while back on a certain brake bar rack. This is probably what the instructor was talking about. For some reason, this has caused much confusion as this is not the first time I have been asked about the use of bar racks in recent weeks.
http://www.cmcrescue.com/Assets/reports/300890RecallNotice.pdf -
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I'm not sure if this is the specific rack involved in the recall or not, but it is a J-frame rack. The U-frame racks are much safer and easier to use. Sorry for the delay in the reply, and good luck.
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Thanks for your help, Fellows.
Keep Safe -
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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Why would a team use a rack of any sort in rope rescue?
We do a "whistle check" on our systems- the theory is that when the whistle is blown, all members on the system should be able to take their hands off the system and no one will move.
Racks, goldtails and whaletails have no braking mechanism. We go overboard on things like back ups on back ups on back ups (multiple redundancies) and yet we use devices with no safety mechanism or double stop action???? -
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We use racks for rappelling and for lowering all the time. We use a tandem prussic belay that passes the whistle stop test. The point of the backup is to catch a failure in the primary system. The primary system rarely fails, so it makes sense to use a primary system that is simple, easy to rig, and intuitive to operate. A brake bar rack does all of those.
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Permalink Reply by Doesn't play well with others. on
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Why would a team NOT use a bar rack?
Personally, under 300lbs, I'd use a munter hitch on an XL-carabiner.
Your "break" or progress capture should be on the safety/belay/second line. Tandem prusiks or a gibbs works fine, but I suppose you could use a Petzl ID or 540 Belay.
The simpler you keep a system, the better it will be.
Please elaborate, what would you use to lower a patient in a stokes 60 feet down from a, let's say, construction site? -
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