CMC Rescue, Inc.
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A Z VORTEX User’s Manual
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INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the AZ VORTEX from CMC Rescue. You have chosen
the most versatile, state-of-the-art artificial high directional (AHD) available to rescuers and
industry workers today. This beautiful, handcrafted piece of equipment will serve your AHD
needs for years to come. With proper study and hands-on training, you can use the AZ
VORTEX in a variety of ways and in any number of environments from industry to wilderness.
The AZ VORTEX is ideal for most edge transition applications including confined space
entry, as well as mine, cliff and industrial rescue operations. It is also well suited for bridge and
dam inspection, rope access, construction trades, military and the entertainment industry.
The current AZ VORTEX is an evolution of the original Arizona VORTEX. Often called a
“multipod” because of its flexibility, the two-piece head can be rigged as a standard tripod, or in
advanced applications such as an A-frame, a sideways A-frame, or a Gin Pole. The “easel” leg
allows the tripod to lean, creating an easel A-frame to position the change of direction pulley
closer to the edge of the cliff or the structure.
With the adjustable leg lengths and the flexible third leg, the AZ VORTEX lets rescuers set
up an artificial high directional in virtually any urban, industrial or wilderness location. The
telescoping legs also project through the Head Set, providing a wide range of adjustment. The
lighter Head Set and the lighter, shorter legs make the AZ VORTEX easy to transport and store.
On the A-frame and easel A-frame application, at least two pulleys can now be attached
directly into the Head Set without carabiners, eliminating lost headspace and working clearance.
This two-pulley capability makes the AZ VORTEX ideal for use with high lines and track line
offsets. For rope access work, it allows the use of two Working Lines.
What is an AZ VORTEX?
In NFPA Standard 1983 terminology, the AZ VORTEX is
referred to as a
portable anchor device.
Most riggers use the
more common term
artificial high directional
. An “AHD” is
used to elevate lines above edges, entryways, or
obstructions in rescue operations or rope access work.
Unlike other metal tripods or unequal-sided tetrahedrons, the
AZ VORTEX adapts to almost any terrain or difficult set-up
location. More than just a tripod, the AZ VORTEX multipod
offers three different configurations with a single unit:
1. Tripod (conventional and easel leg)
2. Bipod or A-frame (conventional and sideways)
3.
Monopod or Gin Pole
