7
Step 3.
Descend to Safety:
Release the free end of the lifeline to initiate descent. Descent speed will be
automatically controlled to a rate described in Section 1.2 C by the R550 Descender’s centrifugal
brake. Descent may be slowed, interrupted or prevented by using the following methods (See
Figure 6):
1:
Slow or interrupt descent by
fi
rmly grasping the free end of the Lifeline (A).
NOTE:
Always wear gloves when handling the lifeline to control descent speed.
2:
Use the Pigtail (B) while
fi
rmly grasping the free end of the Lifeline (A) to provide additional
descent control.
3:
Prevent unintentional descent by securing the free end of the Lifeline (A) with the Pigtail (B)
and Cam Cleats (C).
Bend your knees to prepare for landing. After landing, disconnect the lifeline from the body
support.
CAUTION:
The R550 Rescue & Escape Device may become hot during use which could injure the user if
parts other than those used to control the descent are touched. Use beyond the speci
fi
ed load and descent
length limits may generate excessive heat which could damage the descent line.
Step 4.
Prepare for the Next Descent:
After use of the R550 Rescue & Escape Device, the lifeline must
be pulled through the device as needed to position a lifeline end and Snap Hook adjacent to the
next person to descend.
3.5 USE - RESCUE APPLICATIONS:
REMOTE ASSISTED RESCUE:
(See
fi
gure 7 -
1
) The R550 Rescue & Escape Device is equipped with a rescue
hub (RH) which can be used in remote assisted rescues to raise the fall victim to permit removal of their fall arrest
subsystem (lanyard, etc.) prior to descent to safety. Procedures are as follows:
Step 1.
Lower or Raise One End of the Lifeline to the Victim:
Pull the lifeline (L) through the
R550 Descender (A) as needed until the snap hook (B) on one end of the lifeline is adjacent to the
desired connection point on the victim’s body support (C).
Step 2.
Connect to the Victim’s Full Body Harness or other Body Support:
Connect the snap
hook (B) on the rescue end of the lifeline to the body support front or back D-ring (C) (also see
Figure 5 for D-ring locations). Ensure the D-ring is positioned to hold the user upright.
NOTE:
In the event the connection point on the victim’s body support is not within reach, the rope grab accessory
(Figure 7, D) can be attached upside down (
Ø
) on the victim’s lanyard (VL) and locked in place. The snap hook on the
R550 lifeline (L) can be attached to the eye (E) on the rope grab (D) and the rescue hub (RH) can be used to raise the
victim to safety or to a point where their initial fall protection system can be released to allow lowering the victim to
safety.
WARNING:
Do not use a body belt with this equipment. Body belts do not support the entire body, which
may result in serious injury.
Step 3.
Raise the Victim to Disconnect the Fall Arrest Subsystem:
Rotate the Rescue Hub (RH)
to raise the victim’s weight from the fall arrest subsystem and onto the R550 Rescue & Escape
Device. Secure the Free End of the lifeline with the R550 Descender’s Pigtail and Cam Cleats
to prevent unintentional descent (see Figure 6). Disconnect the Victim’s fall arrest subsystem
(Lanyard, etc.)
.
Alternate
Option:
(See Figure 11) The R550 Rescue & Escape Device is also con
fi
gured to allow
a Power Drill (minimum 12mm chuck and 100Nm torque
)
to be attached to the center of the
Rescue Hub which can be used in remote assisted rescues to raise the fall victim. Attach the
Power Drill directly to the shaft at the center of the Rescue Hub (see Figure 8). Use the attached
Power Drill to rotate the Rescue Hub to raise the victim’s weight from the fall arrest subsystem
and onto the R550 Rescue & Escape Device. Secure the Free End of the lifeline with the R550
Rescue and Escape Device’s Pigtail and Cam Cleats to prevent unintentional descent (see Figure
6). Detach the Power Drill by lowering the victim’s weight onto the unit’s Pigtail and Cam Cleats
and then releasing the Power Drill from the center of the Rescue Hub. Once the Powered Drill is
removed, disconnect the Victim’s fall arrest subsystem (Lanyard, etc.)
Step 4.
Prepare the Lifeline for Descent:
Prior to descent, the section of lifeline between the user and
the R550 Descender must be tightened to remove any slack. Tighten the lifeline by pulling on the
free end of the lifeline until slack between the user and R550 Descender is removed. Once the
lifeline is taut, hold the free end of the lifeline tightly until descent is initiated.
