In this firefighter elevator rope rescue training video, instructor Chris Smity demonstrates the proper way to load and hang a multi-purpose device (MPD) when preparing for an elevator entrapment rescue.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPTION:

If you guys have ever used this MPD, it can be very challenging to some people to load this thing up.

I hold it in my left hand. Open the device. That’s the orientation I put it in, right? And just as an extra added bonus, I’ll just throw this through here real quick temporarily. So I know if even if it comes out, it’s still loaded correctly.

The smartest person can’t be the hero.

Instructor Chris Smity, District of Columbia Fire Department (DCFD)

This is where it’s a little bit different. We pin them right directly to the head, just like that. Once I open this completely up, it’s all the way wide open. He’s pulling down. I control his speed really easy.  By that little bend in that S, because it’s putting it in there really nice. So, he or she that’s going down in that space is going really, really slow. Right? Slow is good.

The smartest person can’t be the hero, do you understand? You have rope training, and you work with people that do not. Right? So, can you rig and can you go and do the rescue by yourself? No. No. Where do you want the smartest person?  Right here.

The smartest person might not be on the end of the rope. Do you understand?