Page 178 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Spring 2017

(photo left) Working the anchor
station. Controlling the belay
line in a double main-line system
lowering the attendant and
victim. He is managing the belay.
He is managing one-half of a
two-rope system. The other rope
was set up as a haul system to
raise for the litter patient scoop
vertical to horizontal.

(photo above) The litter attendant prepares to
raise and clear the roof with the litter. This is a
technically demanding task.

(photo above) The PJ is hauling on a 3:1 system raising the
rescuer to the patient hanging in free space with suspected (photo left) The PJ as litter attendant is
traumatic injuries. The rescuer will execute a litter scoop to lowered with the victim.
gently immobilize the patient and transfer the load onto the
two-tensioned ropes system. The haul now becomes part of the
lowering system. (photo below) The attendant and
victim arrive on the ground.

PJ training on the Gunks
PJs train with the climbing rangers of the
Shawangunk Ridge in New Paltz, NY, at the
cliffs of the Shawangunks. The Gunks are one
of the premier rock-climbing sites in the United
States. The rangers perform dozens of rescues
each year; some of the typical high-angle injuries
include traumatic brain injury and open fractures.

Photos compliments of
Dylan Bimka-Wintrob

(photo above left) A “victim” hangs
stranded waiting for rescue.

(photo left) The litter attendant prepares
to raise and clear the roof with the litter.
This is a technically demanding task.