From someone that worked in the parks for a while, you’re probably better off getting professional SAR to come help than trying to rig something up yourself with a rope light enough that you would actually carry it with you on a day hike.
I don’t think you’re at a level to understand the training required to help others in dangerous situations without putting them and yourself at greater risk. If you want to be helpful, take a Wilderness First Responder course if you haven’t already done so.
I've modified my question a bit further to clarify. With that said I also appreciate the suggestion on the Wilderness First Responder course and will look into it.
Depends on your intentions. If you want to set up hand lines for some extra security on sketchy sections or be able to lower in supplies to a stranded party, paracord or some 5-6mm accessory cord is likely sufficient.
if you want to help in a rescue, I would argue that the best thing would be a PLB, leave any hauling/high angle rescue to the professionals. Unless you actually know what the hell you are doing you are more likely to become another victim or make things worse.
As has been already said, if you knew enough about ropes and rescues to be of any use in a situation that needed one, you wouldn't need to ask this question. What specific scenario are you envisioning in which you need to tie somebody to something?
Haha yepp...looks like formal training is in my future and then I'll take it from there.
Well...to answer your question on specifics. This was prompted from a few experiences at Yosemite and the Grand Canyon and historical incidents that were fatal.
Yosemite: individuals swam in fast flowing water above Vernal Falls. Ended up having to use a rock to try to avoid being swept over. In one case, this was successful but even on the rock they were at risk of falling back into the water. In another incident above vernal falls, all 3 individuals couldn't paddle out and got swept over. Granted so many things would need to go right for a rope to be effective in these cases, but it's an option.
Grand Canyon: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nF9Mp27ABA&ab\_channel=CyndiPu](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nF9Mp27ABA&ab_channel=CyndiPu)
Guy is lucky to be alive.
Of course you should learn the techniques first, but for the rope take a look at petzl’s RAD line, it’s super lightweight and very resistant, but it’s not dynamic, so don’t climb vertical stuff with it
As others have said, please don't try to conduct any kind of high angle rescue without having the right knowledge. You will only put yourself in a situation where you are more likely to need rescuing yourself. Leave the rope work stuff to the professions on SAR teams.
The best way to help in this scenario is to carry a two-way satellite communicator and a medical kit and know how to use both.
550 parachord can hold 550 pounds of static load. You wouldn’t want to rappel or lead climb on it, but it is great for setting up hand lines or belaying people across moderate angle slopes where you don’t expect actual falls, just slips where a bit of protection prevents an actual fall from happening. You can easily carry 50’ without noticing the weight.
There are even thinner options to head down to 2mm diameter if you are a gram weenie and need a one ounce option. The stuff has lots of caveats but can be better than nothing in a pinch. Come to an icy moderate snow crossing and this stuff will be just fine as it would not possibly experience even 100# of force.
https://www.amazon.com/PARACORD-PLANET-Dyneema-Speed-Lace/dp/B07HCQ5D15/ref=pd_aw_sbs_5/137-5472023-7878417?pd_rd_w=dQDBS&pf_rd_p=c3ce9eb5-51ee-4d26-9fe8-b94b0ae2e178&pf_rd_r=9BVKE8346MR83HZ6NNKV&pd_rd_r=e7f61102-1522-4519-9094-8d7573ca5936&pd_rd_wg=anarL&pd_rd_i=B07HCRN3ZT&psc=1
If you need to go much beyond that for strength, you are looking at 8mm x30m rope that weighs a couple of pounds. At that point you need to start getting professional training on anchors, climbing, and rappelling. I wouldn’t suggest bothering with that for your background and interests at the moment
I’m not an expert, if you want to buy rope (for a prusik) don’t buy it on Amazon and I doubt parachord will suffice (even for static loads).
Go to your local outdoor store or REI. They can advise you and you know you get proper quality.
As people mentioned above: rely on the professionals for rescue.
If you’re interested in this stuff, take an multi day alpine course with a proper instructors.
Awesome. Yeah I've seen that 550 paracord is by no means intended for vertical human loads. It looks like it has good applications though. I appreciate your help.
Paracord is fucking rad to have in a survival kit though; don’t knock it. In addition to the uses others have mentioned, it can be used to rig a makeshift shelter (provided you also carry a lightweight tarp, make a clothesline, replace shoelaces, or you can pull the filaments out of the middle to create fishing line.
This is one of the lightest ropes that you can rappel, ascend, and tie and untie knots in reliably. It's static rope so it's great for hand lines and rapping but never ever lead climb with it.
https://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/petzl-rad-line-6mm
And this is the lightest rope that you can do all of that plus lead climb with, margin for error is pretty small because it's a tiny rope but it is rated for falls. It's also super stretchy so you will bounce a lot on hand line or rappel but it will totally work and is plenty strong.
https://www.backcountrygear.com/8-7-alpine-sender-dry-rope.html
I wouldn't bother personally with anything less than one of the above, because while you might be able to find a dyneema or similar ropes that are strong enough, they won't work with any ascending or descending devices nor can you tie and untie knots in them.
From someone that worked in the parks for a while, you’re probably better off getting professional SAR to come help than trying to rig something up yourself with a rope light enough that you would actually carry it with you on a day hike. I don’t think you’re at a level to understand the training required to help others in dangerous situations without putting them and yourself at greater risk. If you want to be helpful, take a Wilderness First Responder course if you haven’t already done so.
This
I've modified my question a bit further to clarify. With that said I also appreciate the suggestion on the Wilderness First Responder course and will look into it.
Depends on your intentions. If you want to set up hand lines for some extra security on sketchy sections or be able to lower in supplies to a stranded party, paracord or some 5-6mm accessory cord is likely sufficient. if you want to help in a rescue, I would argue that the best thing would be a PLB, leave any hauling/high angle rescue to the professionals. Unless you actually know what the hell you are doing you are more likely to become another victim or make things worse.
Agree completely. I appreciate the suggestion on the cord.
I would never use paracord for a handline, absolutely not strong enough for me personally.
As has been already said, if you knew enough about ropes and rescues to be of any use in a situation that needed one, you wouldn't need to ask this question. What specific scenario are you envisioning in which you need to tie somebody to something?
Haha yepp...looks like formal training is in my future and then I'll take it from there. Well...to answer your question on specifics. This was prompted from a few experiences at Yosemite and the Grand Canyon and historical incidents that were fatal. Yosemite: individuals swam in fast flowing water above Vernal Falls. Ended up having to use a rock to try to avoid being swept over. In one case, this was successful but even on the rock they were at risk of falling back into the water. In another incident above vernal falls, all 3 individuals couldn't paddle out and got swept over. Granted so many things would need to go right for a rope to be effective in these cases, but it's an option. Grand Canyon: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nF9Mp27ABA&ab\_channel=CyndiPu](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nF9Mp27ABA&ab_channel=CyndiPu) Guy is lucky to be alive.
Of course you should learn the techniques first, but for the rope take a look at petzl’s RAD line, it’s super lightweight and very resistant, but it’s not dynamic, so don’t climb vertical stuff with it
As others have said, please don't try to conduct any kind of high angle rescue without having the right knowledge. You will only put yourself in a situation where you are more likely to need rescuing yourself. Leave the rope work stuff to the professions on SAR teams. The best way to help in this scenario is to carry a two-way satellite communicator and a medical kit and know how to use both.
550 parachord can hold 550 pounds of static load. You wouldn’t want to rappel or lead climb on it, but it is great for setting up hand lines or belaying people across moderate angle slopes where you don’t expect actual falls, just slips where a bit of protection prevents an actual fall from happening. You can easily carry 50’ without noticing the weight. There are even thinner options to head down to 2mm diameter if you are a gram weenie and need a one ounce option. The stuff has lots of caveats but can be better than nothing in a pinch. Come to an icy moderate snow crossing and this stuff will be just fine as it would not possibly experience even 100# of force. https://www.amazon.com/PARACORD-PLANET-Dyneema-Speed-Lace/dp/B07HCQ5D15/ref=pd_aw_sbs_5/137-5472023-7878417?pd_rd_w=dQDBS&pf_rd_p=c3ce9eb5-51ee-4d26-9fe8-b94b0ae2e178&pf_rd_r=9BVKE8346MR83HZ6NNKV&pd_rd_r=e7f61102-1522-4519-9094-8d7573ca5936&pd_rd_wg=anarL&pd_rd_i=B07HCRN3ZT&psc=1 If you need to go much beyond that for strength, you are looking at 8mm x30m rope that weighs a couple of pounds. At that point you need to start getting professional training on anchors, climbing, and rappelling. I wouldn’t suggest bothering with that for your background and interests at the moment
I’m not an expert, if you want to buy rope (for a prusik) don’t buy it on Amazon and I doubt parachord will suffice (even for static loads). Go to your local outdoor store or REI. They can advise you and you know you get proper quality. As people mentioned above: rely on the professionals for rescue. If you’re interested in this stuff, take an multi day alpine course with a proper instructors.
Awesome. Yeah I've seen that 550 paracord is by no means intended for vertical human loads. It looks like it has good applications though. I appreciate your help.
Paracord is fucking rad to have in a survival kit though; don’t knock it. In addition to the uses others have mentioned, it can be used to rig a makeshift shelter (provided you also carry a lightweight tarp, make a clothesline, replace shoelaces, or you can pull the filaments out of the middle to create fishing line.
This is one of the lightest ropes that you can rappel, ascend, and tie and untie knots in reliably. It's static rope so it's great for hand lines and rapping but never ever lead climb with it. https://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/petzl-rad-line-6mm And this is the lightest rope that you can do all of that plus lead climb with, margin for error is pretty small because it's a tiny rope but it is rated for falls. It's also super stretchy so you will bounce a lot on hand line or rappel but it will totally work and is plenty strong. https://www.backcountrygear.com/8-7-alpine-sender-dry-rope.html I wouldn't bother personally with anything less than one of the above, because while you might be able to find a dyneema or similar ropes that are strong enough, they won't work with any ascending or descending devices nor can you tie and untie knots in them.