The following equipment is used for alpine search and rescue tasks. This is a specialist area within Bush Search and Rescue.
Mandatory Personal Protection Equipment
The following personal protection equipment is compulsory for steep snow and ice callouts:
- Climbing harness (UIAA-certified)
- Climbing helmet (UIAA-certified )
- Snow-rated sunglasses and ski goggles – preferebly ballistic rated
- Skis and/or snow shoes
- Rope (UIAA-certified) – one per team of 2 or 3 – minimum of 30m of 9mm rope
- Belay plate with locking carabiner
- 4 locking carabiners (screwgates and/or auto locking)
- 3 prusik loops – one waist, one foot, one spare (waist or shorter)1
- 1 sewn sling (120cm )
- Crampons – 12 point (with appropriate boots, note that instep crampons are not appropriate)
- Ice axe
Optional Personal Protection Equipment
- Snow stake
- 2 additional locking karabiners
- Ice hammer or ski pole with self-arrest grip
- Lightweight ascender, such as Petzl Tibloc or Wild Country Ropeman – can replace prusik loop for ascending or rigging pulley system
- 1 pulley
- 1 progress capture pulley (e.g. Petzl Micro Traxion)
- Webbing (2 lengths) for makeshift sit and chest harnesses (for securing person)
- Avalanche transceiver
- Avalanche probe
- Snow shovel
See also
- Alpine search and rescue
- Training – articles on previous training events
- Roping up
- Improvised body harness
- Z-pulley for stretcher hauling
- Avalance transceiver searches
- Avalanche safety
Footnotes
1 Prusik slings should be “navel to floor” for foot loop and “nose to navel” for waist loop. For 9-10mm climbing rope, 6-7mm prusik cord works best – as a guide 150cm for waist loop and 250cm for foot loop are about right after tying for an average height person. Too long is better than too short. Test your prusik loops and knots on 9mm rope.
Last Updated on February 17, 2021