Firefighter Technical Rescue 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In rope rescue, what is the purpose of a belay line?
- To carry the main load
- To serve as a backup safety in case the main line fails (Correct answer)
- To anchor the litter
- To lower equipment only
Correct answer: To serve as a backup safety in case the main line fails
A belay line is a secondary safety system protecting against main-line failure.
Question 2: What knot is commonly used to create a fixed loop at the end of a rescue rope?
- Square knot
- Figure-eight on a bight (Correct answer)
- Granny knot
- Slip knot
Correct answer: Figure-eight on a bight
The figure-eight on a bight makes a strong, easily inspected fixed loop.
Question 3: A typical static kernmantle life-safety rope used in rescue has what minimum diameter for general use?
- 7 mm
- 9.5 mm to 11 mm (Correct answer)
- 14 mm
- 20 mm
Correct answer: 9.5 mm to 11 mm
General-use life-safety rope is typically around 11 mm (technical-use is thinner).
Question 4: What is a mechanical advantage system primarily used for in rope rescue?
- Cutting rope
- Multiplying hauling force to raise a load (Correct answer)
- Measuring rope length
- Cleaning anchors
Correct answer: Multiplying hauling force to raise a load
A mechanical advantage (pulley) system multiplies force to haul heavy loads uphill.
Question 5: What does the term 'two-tensioned rope system' (TTRS) describe?
- Two ropes both sharing the load with no slack belay (Correct answer)
- A single rope doubled over
- Two ropes used for different victims
- A backup generator system
Correct answer: Two ropes both sharing the load with no slack belay
TTRS uses two loaded ropes sharing the load instead of a separate slack belay.
Question 6: When building an anchor, what principle helps ensure no single failure causes total collapse?
- Single-point loading
- Redundancy (Correct answer)
- Minimal hardware
- Speed over strength
Correct answer: Redundancy
Redundancy provides backup anchor points so one failure doesn't cause total failure.
Question 7: What is the maximum recommended angle between anchor legs to limit force multiplication?
- Under 90 degrees (Correct answer)
- 120 degrees
- 150 degrees
- 180 degrees
Correct answer: Under 90 degrees
Keeping the internal angle under 90 degrees limits dangerous force multiplication on anchors.
Firefighter Technical Rescue 3
In rope rescue, what is the purpose of a belay line?