Work and rescue

techniques
Ski lift evacuation

If ski lift equipment fails, the person in charge must

VERTICALITY

evacuate passengers according to the evacuation

plan. This document explains precisely how all the

HARNESSES
operations should be carried out and what human
and material means must be employed. In most
cases, these operations are carried out by the
operating personnel.
The maximum projected time allowed for evacuating
all passengers is 3.5 hours (from breakdown to
evacuation of the last passenger). This time can

HELMETS
be reduced and adapted to the situation according
to the weather, the type of installation, etc. In case
of difficulty, the operator may call in organized
rescue squads (mountain rescue, civil emergency
services, etc.).

ENERGY ABSORBERS
Evacuation of a ski lift requires specific techniques

LANYARDS AND
for movement along a cable. For maximum efficiency,
these operations are led simultaneously by several
independent teams, generally composed of two
people (one suspended on the cable for evacuation,
the other on the ground to receive the passengers
and to guide the movements of his colleague).
The success of these operations hinges largely on
the instruction, training and practice of the operating

MOBILE FALL
ARRESTER
personnel (at least once a year).
CFR Conseil / Compagnie du Mont Blanc - Les Grands Montets (France) © Rémy Géroudet

CONNECTORS
CARABINERS,
DESCENDERS
ROPE CLAMPS
 A  VERTEX BEST: comfortable helmet for  E  GRILLON MGO: adjustable lanyard with
rescue with strong chin strap to limit risk of handle to facilitate descents.

PULLEYS
the helmet coming off during a fall.
F  BERMUDE: rescue triangle installs quickly
 B  NAVAHO BOD FAST: work positioning and easily.
and fall arrest harness designed for work in NEW
suspension. All equipment pages 40 to 149.

 C  ROLLCAB: rescue roller for ski lift cables.

ANCHORS AND
ROPES
 D  I’D S: versatile self-braking belay device/
descender with integrated anti-panic function.

ACCESSORIES
PACKS AND
36  A   B   C  D   E   F  37
 VERTICALITY
Information is non-exhaustive. Refer to the other pages as well as to the user instructions and technical manuals. Technical training is essential.

38
Evacuating the victim
Ski lift evacuation

BERMUDE
Ski lift evacuation with rescuer on cable

GRILLON MGO
ROLLCAB

SWIVEL
Rescuer accessing the ski lift

BERMUDE

GRIGRI
I'D
CONNEXION VARIO
Accessing along the cable

BERMUDE

I'D
PAW
SWIVEL
ROLLCAB

GRILLON
Evacuating a tramcar from the ground
Descending into the tramcar

BERMUDE
Evacuating the victim

39

PACKS AND ANCHORS AND PULLEYS ROPE CLAMPS DESCENDERS CARABINERS, MOBILE FALL LANYARDS AND HELMETS HARNESSES Work and rescue
ACCESSORIES ROPES CONNECTORS ARRESTER ENERGY ABSORBERS techniques