On Monday, September 23, 2024, members of the Chestertown VFC completed in-service training on “Low-Angle” rescue. The training location was the incline behind the Kent & Queen Annes Rescue Squad on the Chestertown Bypass. This location afforded us one of the steepest grades available to us for training. (It’s much steeper then the photos allow.)
Where “High-Angle” Rescue involves a near vertical, to vertical situations, “Low-Angle” Rescue involves bring a victim up, or down… as the case may be, a steep grade that is difficult to walk, let alone carry someone on a litter.
Performing a “Low-Angle” Rescue like this involves rigging a mechanical rope lifting system. Where this location afforded us a grassy surface, where the Stokes Basket could slide on the ground, most rescues of this type are on tough, rugged terrain. In these types of situations, four (4) firefighters would use webbing to attach themselves to the Stokes Basket. Lifting the litter and leaning back, they can carry the litter either up or down the incline, with the rope rig doing most of the work.
Our thanks and appreciation to the Kent & Queen Annes Rescue Squad for the use of their property.
