ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE ROPES AND KNOTS 10-06-17 PAGE 1 OF 13 Equipment Aloft 506.00 Revised 12-4-18

The Escondido Fire Department has options for tying equipment to go aloft. One may use:

Utility rope

Utility rope after tying a figure eight

Rope bag with a figure eight

Rope bag utilizing a loop through the carabiner

Firefighters must be proficient with tying equipment to go aloft with the running end of a rope and in the middle of a rope. When using the running end of a rope tying a figure eight often allows for easier and faster equipment tie offs.

Ladder Aloft

There two accepted methods of take a ladder aloft.

Large Eight

Utilize a large Figure 8 on a Bight to take a ladder aloft. Start with a large 8 on a Bight. Bring the loop from underneath the ladder between the 3rd and 4th rungs. Place the loop over the tip of the ladder.

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE ROPES AND KNOTS 10-06-17 PAGE 2 OF 13 Equipment Aloft 506.00 Revised 12-4-18

Small Eight

Tie a smaller figure 8 in the end of the rope or a loop through the carabiner. Pass the end of the rope over the rungs from the tip, and around one or two rungs above the balance point. Pull the end of the rope back up to the tip and pass the loop over the tip of the beam. Cinch up and raise the ladder.

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE ROPES AND KNOTS 10-06-17 PAGE 3 OF 13 Equipment Aloft 506.00 Revised 12-4-18

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE ROPES AND KNOTS 10-06-17 PAGE 4 OF 13 Equipment Aloft 506.00 Revised 12-4-18

Rubbish Hook or Pike Pole Aloft

The head of tool goes up first. This is to prevent the knot from slipping off a non “D” handled tool. Note: An overhand knot as a safety (not shown) should also be tied on the tail of the clove hitch. Secure the tool with a clove hitch 6’ – 8’ from handle. Place a half hitch below tool head.

An alternate method of tying D- Handled Tools aloft using a figure 8, loop through the carabiner or carabiner only is shown in Section 506.01.

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE ROPES AND KNOTS 10-06-17 PAGE 5 OF 13 Equipment Aloft 506.00 Revised 12-4-18

D – Handle Hand Tools

The D handle tools are of different configurations but any closed portion of the tool such as the handle or in some cases the head such as the rubbish hook can be used for a quick tie off.

Use the figure eight through a closed area of the tool and loop it over

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE ROPES AND KNOTS 10-06-17 PAGE 6 OF 13 Equipment Aloft 506.00 Revised 12-4-18

Or attaching the carabiner directly to a closed area of the tool

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE ROPES AND KNOTS 10-06-17 PAGE 7 OF 13 Equipment Aloft 506.00 Revised 12-4-18

Uncharged Hose Line Aloft

Raise an uncharged hose line aloft. Fold 3-5 feet of hose including nozzle. Secure the nozzle and hose with a clove hitch. An overhand knot (not shown) should also be tied on the tail of the clove hitch. Place a half hitch next to the coupling. Place a half hitch 6- 8 inches from fold.

An alternate method of tying nozzles to go aloft using a figure 8 or loop through the carabiner is shown in Section 506.01.

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE ROPES AND KNOTS 10-06-17 PAGE 8 OF 13 Equipment Aloft 506.00 Revised 12-4-18

Uncharged Hose Line with a Figure 8 or Loop through the Carabiner

1. Feed the loop through the bail

2. Drape the loop over the end of the nozzle

Halligan Bar

Tie a small Figure 8 on a Bight. Place the bight between the forks of the handle. Place a half hitch under the tool head. The rope should be towards the inside of the tool head.

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE ROPES AND KNOTS 10-06-17 PAGE 9 OF 13 Equipment Aloft 506.00 Revised 12-4-18

Pick or Flat Headed Axe

Tie a small Figure 8 on a Bight. Slide the bight down the handle. Wrap the rope around the tool head and back up towards the handle. The knot should be flush on the face or back side of the tool head. Place a half hitch as close to the head as possible. Place a half hitch 6-8 inches from the end of handle.

Do not pass the rope over the blade.

May use a loop through the carabiner

Sledge Hammer

Identical to the Axe, tie a small Figure 8 on a Bight. Slide the bight down the handle. Wrap the rope around the tool head and back up towards the handle. The knot should be flush on the face or back side of the tool head. Place a half hitch as close to the head as possible. Place a half hitch 6-8 inches from the end of handle.

May use a loop through the carabiner

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE ROPES AND KNOTS 10-06-17 PAGE 10 OF 13 Equipment Aloft 506.00 Revised 12-4-18

**Note: Extinguishers or other Pressurized Cylinders should not be lifted with ropes!

Bolt Cutters

1. Remove carabiner

2. Place figure eight through the tool between the handles near the jaws

3. Fold the figure eight loop over the top and raise by jaws first

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE ROPES AND KNOTS 10-06-17 PAGE 11 OF 13 Equipment Aloft 506.00 Revised 12-4-18

Tool Bag

1. With or without the carabiner feed through the handles

2. Make the loop and place it around the middle of the bag, cinch up.

The carabiner can also be used. If the carabiner fits around both handles the firefighter may clip it there and hoist without the loop.

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE ROPES AND KNOTS 10-06-17 PAGE 12 OF 13 Equipment Aloft 506.00 Revised 12-4-18

Non – D Handle Hand Tools

1. Make the figure eight loop small 2. Slip over handle and snug tight against the tool head

ESCONDIDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING MANUAL TRUCK MODULE ROPES AND KNOTS 10-06-17 PAGE 13 OF 13 Equipment Aloft 506.00 Revised 12-4-18

Circular or Chain Saw

The handle of the saws are closed and therefore can be used with a loop through figure eight to send a saw aloft. 1. Feed the rope through the figure eight or

carabiner

2. Insert it through the handle

3. Loop around the unit, not over the blade

Caution – be careful the rope doesn’t come into contact with a hot portion of the engine.