User:Jakecr/British Columbia Council of Technical Rescue

Background - dates

Rope veterans amongst you may remember the indomitable Arnor Larson, [founded Rigging for Rescuein 1986] a pioneer of technical rope work and a man who could argue the hind legs off a donkey. Arnorwas instrumental in forming and leading the British Columbia Council of Technical Rescue, which wasan ad hoc group commissioned by the British Columbia government to provide recommendations and'standards' on rope rescue to the government's Provincial Emergency Program http://texasrescue.net/docs/Articles/Rigging_for_Rescue.pdf

In 1989, Reed worked with John Dill of Yosemite SAR and Arnor Larson of the British Columbia Council of Technical Rescue in BC, Canada  on their acclaimed Belay test program. Reed also provided the illustrations for the 1990 RESPONSE magazine article "Are You Really  On-Belay?" http://www.trescue.com/index.php/2011-07-25-19-17-57/the-staff/116-reed-thorne-rope-editor

Belay competency drop test

... based on testing established by the British Columbia Council of Technical Rescue (BCCTR). The council developed the Belay Competence Drop Test Method (BCDTM), which requires no more than 1m of stopping distance and at the same time allows no more than 15 kN peak force. The criterion is based on a 200kg load falling 1m with 3m or 11mm rope in service. If you are using a belay system that does not meet the BCDTM requirements you should reconsider your emthods. http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=jB7YTRVt5coC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0

The British Columbia Council of Technical Rescue (BCCTR) has developed a procedure to reliably test the safety and effectiveness of a rescue belay. The Belay Competency Drop Test specifies a 1 meter drop onto 3 meters of kernmantle rescue rope with less than 1 meter of travel and generating a peak force less than 15Kn. For a general use rated device/system a 280kg load and 12.7mm rope are typically used. For a light use device a 200kg load and11.1mm rope are used. Both the MPD and the tandem prusik belay are examples of belay systems that meet this criteria although there are others. Both systems also pass the “whistle test” as well. This simply means that in the event the belayer suddenly lets go of the system for what ever reason the belay should still be effective. Join us on one of our Rope Rescue courses for more information about belay systems and techniques. See more at: http://ravenrescue.com/blog/belay-competncy-the-gold-standard