Simple Closed Cinch

All cinches share a common goal, wrap a rope around a victim in order to extract them from an entrapment when it isn’t safe to make contact with the victim. There are a variety of methods for accomplishing this task based on the situation where the victim is trapped. The Simple Closed Cinch can be performed with as little as two rescuers. Like the Simple Open Cinch, it requires access from both shores. This article uses a few more resources to greatly improve the odds of success. The Simple Closed Cinch can be effective with a heads down entrapment.

Notes:

  • The green and white ropes represent the shore lines.
  • The yellow arrow shows the direction of the current and is points downstream.
  • The Orange helmet is the victim with a foot entrapment.
  • The White Helmets are the rescuers.

Simple Closed Cinch Steps

1) The victim is trapped and requires assistance.  Notice we have rescuers on both shores with throw bags.

SCC Step 1

2) Toss the first bag across a little bit Upstream of the victim.  Not as necessary since this cinch is used for heads down entrapments but consistency is a decent practice.

SCC Step 2

3) Lift the line over the victim and start setting up a Stabilization Line.

SCC Step 3

4) Both rescuers walk upstream to form a nice deep V.  This avoids a vector pull and makes it easy to support with just two people.  Now – be Really Careful!  Make certain the line is around their torso – not their neck.  Slowly lift the torso out of the submerged position so they can hopefully breath again.

SCC Step 4

5) A third rescuer tosses a line across the stream Downstream of the victim.

SCC Step 5

6) Now a fourth rescuer tosses a bag in the opposite direction Upstream of the victim.

SCC Step 6

7) Rescuers 3 & 4 clip their bag ends to each others line.  This forms a large loop which we will pull together to cinch down on the victim whom is being held heads up via the stabilization line.  This photo shows only one side (Rescuer 3).

SCC Step 7

8) Once the two lines are pulled taught, the victim is securely cinched. Just like the stabilization line, the cinch must be around the torso. This is easier to accomplish with the independent Stabilization Line.

SCC Step 8

9) Rescuers 3 & 4 walk Upstream to form a deep V and “Pop” the victim free.

SCC Step 9

10) Everyone works together to land the victim safely to shore. The victim can be landed on either shore maintaining the cinch hold.

SCC Step 10