What are the features of a good, reliable rescue Rope?

[baliodude]

Hi guys,

I am thinking of putting one (dedicated)rescue rope in my day bag and b.o.b. This will not be used for anything else.
However, I have not been involved in a rescue where I need a rope to pull someone who has fallen or to pull myself.
I know that the 550 cord is not recommended for that (or so I heard).
I don't want to be carrying something huge like a climber nor too heavy.

What length?
What material?
What girth?
Can you link me to a good one?

Thanx.

 

[valcas1]

I think it was discussed here once. I believe someone said that a flat nylon webbing would be a better choice, it packs smaller than a rope of similar load rating. It made sense to me based on a what if scenario. It is not like your clibing mountains with it.

You might want to look into it a bit more before you decide.

Paul

 

[Bushman5]

The MINIMUM diameter i would go with would be 8mm static kernmantle rope. Keep in mind that although the 8mm ropes are rated for around 5500lbs breaking strength, the ACTUAL "safe working load" (when rope is NEW) is only around 560lbs. If your rope is aged, been exposed to the sun, heat, chemicals or weather that SWL is reduced to half......... < very important to remember......

If you loop your rope thru a pulley, you again reduce the SWL by half.

are you simply using this to assist people up steep banks, water rescue, what? Don't expect to be swingign from trees or rappelling with an 8mm rope unless you have had EXTENSIVE training with small diameter ropes and rappelling on said ropes.....

edit: perhaps one of the personal rescue ropes might suffice for your needs:

some links:http://www.yatesgear.com/rescue/rope/rope/index.htm#1

http://www.bluewaterropes.com/

 

[WolfTracker]

As a former rock climber, I'll offer-up this: Don't attempt *any* ropework unless you get some good training and can tie double bowlines with your eyes closed.

 

[Sparljo]

Check out Atwood rope.

I will confess, I have a rope problem. (Among others)

It sounds (to me) like you just want a decent rope you can count on when the chips are down, and in all likely hood it will go unused.

 

[randomlooker]

I often carry 30 feet of 8mm static climbing utility line... can't remember the brand, bought it at REI. Use it mostly as a handline for helping people get up and down steep bits, and as a brake line for the litter on SAR evacs (Each of our litters has webbing for that purpose, but that tends to get used to make a stirrup for a subject with a leg injury to stand in with his good leg when going downhill to keep weight off the injured one. We really need to start bundling two lengths instead of one.)

8mm works great for an arm rappel down a steep hillside. Vertical rappel down a cliff with a single strand? Not so much. I'll ditto what other people have said, too: If you don't know what you're doing with a rope, don't carry it until you learn.

 

[jimfbte]

Aloha,

I suggest about a 30 ft length of 9/16th inch nylon webbing. Strength is 2,200 lbs (approx.) and SWL is about 1/4 or 500 lbs. No stretch, so no surprise for the person who grabs the end of the rope. Flat, so it wraps around the hand for good friction grip.

It weighs about 7 oz and is about the size of a can of soda. At $0.35 per foot, it's about $10.00. Any good climbing store should carry it. REI, MEI, Mountain Gear, EMS, Campmor, etc.

It's a good length for a minimally trained person. Long enough to be useful; short enough to prevent you from trying some Superhero feat.

Please do get some training on safe rope handling.

I teach a "Fallen Hiker" course for hike leaders and hikers with no rope-climbing experience so everything is at the most basic level and as simple as possible.

p.s. I do not present myself as any kind of expert; just a 70 year old hiker.

Jim FBtE