Using Descent Control Devices for Self-Rescue off of a Roof

When it comes to just plain “cool” firefighter training exercises, self-rescue has to be at the top of the list. The use of rescue rope and descent control devices (DCDs) is definitely a growing trend in the fire service, especially when time is of the essence in getting off the top of a building and using the ladder isn’t feasible and/or practical. But escaping a roof in an emergency situation, or trying to help another injured firefighter off a roof, can be quite the feat unless trained on extensively. The self-rescue systems outlined in this article are just one method of many, so get the crew together and start brainstorming.

First things first–this article was written while researching different components and evaluating the concept of using DCDs in an emergency situation. Further training and research should be conducted with a Technical Rescue Team (TRT) or by taking a rappelling class at your local mountaineering store. The training in this article was done with my buddies from L191C–a TRT unit with extensive knowledge in self-rescue–and used a safety belay system that ensured that every evolution was being conducted in a safe manner. NFPA 1983 can also be referenced for more information, as it pertains to “Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services.”

Choosing Your Gear

Components of a self-rescue system can range from low budget to a “sky’s the limit” budget and everything in between. One thing that’s imperative–the tools need to be designed in accordance with NFPA standards. I highly suggest working with a store that focuses on this type of equipment, or using a brand that specializes in fire rescue. Extensive research should be done before buying any equipment.

Harness

A crucial part of a self-rescue operation is having something securely attached to your body that is designed for rappelling. Again, budget can be a factor, so for this article we used everything from 21 feet of rated webbing ($10) all the way to expensive harnesses designed to fit inside turnouts ($200-$300). These harnesses vary from Class 1—3, depending on how much of your body they secure to. The devices that are permanently attached to the turnouts, whether internal or external, are especially nice because you don’t have to worry about correctly configuring a hasty harness like you do with the webbing.

Rope

In the world of ropes, “dynamic” rope has a bit of stretchiness to it, making it the type that will be used for self-rescue. It comes in different widths measured by millimeter. For our training, we used everything from 7mm—11mm, each having its pros and cons. Smaller diameter rope is definitely easier to stow away in a pouch, but it also creates less friction to control descent, and was harder to grasp with a gloved hand. The thicker rope was easy to grasp, but not easy to carry. As far as the length of either rope, we found that 50—75 feet should be enough to get you to the ground on most buildings up to four stories in height, while still allowing enough rope to attach to an anchor point.

Anchor

This is the component that attaches the working end of the rope to the area you are descending from. The anchors we used in our training were a CMC Rescue Flash hook, designed as part of a firefighter personal escape system, as well as a normal-rated carabiner. The hook was helpful because it could be inserted into roof sheathing or wrapped around a truss. The easily-stowed carabiner was also very functional, as it could be fastened around a number of solid objects that could serve as anchor points.

Descent Control Device

If your budget allows for it, there are definitely some simple yet effective devices on the market that allow the firefighter to simply hook into an anchor point, attach to their harness and go. These DCDs allow for a controlled descent and feature an automatic brake if your hand leaves the device. In our training, we used three separate methods: a carabiner, a “Rescue 8” and an auto-braking descender. Most descenders, with the exception of the carabiner, have a specific route that the rope feeds through to create friction for a controlled decent. Using the carabiner alone required that a Munter hitch be formed so the descent could be controlled.

Going Down

In a real-life situation, you should carefully evaluate any attempt to get off a roof using a means other than a ladder. Once it is determined that self-rescue using a descending operation will be required, command must be notified in the form of “emergency traffic” and the roof crew should retreat to the safest portion of the roof that has not been exposed to fire. All the DCDs we used were set up so the firefighter only had to hook the working end of the rope to an anchor point, and then attach the descender to their harness. Remember: This training must be done with trained professionals, utilizing safety belay systems.

As far as the harnesses that we used, the pre-attached systems were definitely slick and made for a quick operation. In the evolutions where we used the webbing, a few seconds were added and some extra knowledge was necessary to make a hasty harness. If you decide to make your own harness, make sure that: 1) it fits snugly around turnouts (slack can be taken up using a few twists and a carabiner); 2) it is looped properly using a water knot; and 3) you are proficient at making the loop into a properly donned hasty harness.

Once your harness is situated, it’s time to attach the descender to your harness. The carabiner with a Munter hitch worked really well for descending, but also took some knowledge on how to properly apply it. Ideally, it should be pre-wrapped on the locking carabiner prior to the event leading up to the descent, as it would be difficult to rig in the heat and smoke. Devices like the Rescue 8 help make the process a little more user-friendly, as it’s much simpler to set up than a carabiner and a Munter. But the easiest of all was the self-descender that just clipped in with a carabiner. Whichever method you choose, however, you must check and double-check to make sure the system moves and stops by pulling on the rope prior to bailing off the roof. With the self-descender, operation is simple–squeeze the lever to go down, release it and you stop. But using the other devices wasn’t too hard either; the descent could be easily controlled, or stopped completely, by shifting the running end of the rope upward.

Anchors Away

During our training we used various anchors: roof ladders, trusses, and a hole we created with an axe in the roof sheathing. Regardless of the anchor used, we felt the most secure with the rope wrapped around the anchor point for extra safety. When choosing an anchor, it’s important to ensure that it is solid, and that the weight of your body isn’t working against the anchor point. When using a roof ladder as an anchor point, for instance, any body weight moved in an upward position can cause the ladder hooks to shift off the ridge and become unstable. We had to maintain that our weight was constantly pushing downward on the ladder to prevent it from moving.

With everything attached, secured and double-checked, it was time to practice the bailout off the roof. The key to keeping control during a bailout is to take up the slack and make sure the brake is set before going over. When working on a roof with an overhang, we found it best to go over the edge slowly until one foot could reach the wall, then push out with that foot to clear the other leg. After that, all the work was done–the only task was to descend in a controlled manner. The role of friction plays a huge part in a controlled descent, and stopping in the middle of the descent was extremely easy, proving that you can always retreat to a lower floor if you can’t reach the ground. One helpful tip: Keep the hand operating the running end of the rope palm up and well clear of the descender to prevent your glove from getting caught in it. Also, when using any DCD with a harness under the turnout coat, an extension should be used to bring the DCD away from the user’s coat so that it doesn’t get caught. This also makes the device easier to use with an SCBA waist belt, and the decreased visibility due to the mask/facepiece.

Though this technique can be used for self-rescue, arranging the same devices in a different manner can be used to lower a “downed” firefighter off of a roof. Again, it’s crucial that solid anchors are used, because this time the descent is controlled by a firefighter secured to another anchor point. When training with your TRT units or trained professionals, there’s good conversation to be had on different techniques when using a DCD and rescue rope to save our own.

In Sum

Self-rescue using DCDs is a growing trend for good reason: they are compact, simple to use, and may be the only way to escape a building if the entryways are blocked. But extensive training is essential to make sure the method that could save your life doesn’t end up taking it. With all the self-rescue devices on the market today, it is imperative that firefighters don’t just receive these devices in the mail and expect to be proficient with bailing off of a roof or out of a multi-story building. Training needs to be performed in a controlled area where buildings are set up with designed anchor points, safety belay systems, and personnel who are proficient in these devices.