J 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 Shrinking Loop Cinch is a simplified variation of the Carlson Cinch (less control lines). This cinch requires 3 people and requires access from both shores. The J Cinch (like the Shrinking Loop Cinch) solves a challenging issue with obstructions much like dental floss allows you to clean between your teeth. There are several ways to construct a J Cinch, this one is with a loop in the middle of a rope. It could have also been constructed at the end of the line as well (looks more like a T initially).

Caveat: The J Cinch is an ACA Level 5 skill.

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.

J Cinch Steps

1) The victim is trapped and requires assistance.  Notice we have rescuers on both shores with throw bags.  Also notice we have a new wrinkle, boulders all around the victim.

JC Step 1

2) Toss a line across to the other side.

JC Step 2

3) Tie an alpine Butterfly knot on the line crossing the river.

JC Step 3

4) Attach a carabiner and thread a second line through the carabiner forming a simple V.

JC Step 4

5) Pull the V over top of the victim. 

JC Step 5

6) Give a little bit of slack on the tag line until it buts up to the victim.  The tag line rescuer is now responsible for maintaining that bag against the victim for the rest of the rescue.  This is very critical and a common opportunity for failure – avoid the temptation to pull on this side.

JC Step 6

7) Bring both ends of the V together and clip the bag end to the rope closing the loop.

JC Step 7

8) Pull the loop shut so it cinches securely around the victim’s torso. 

JC Step 8

9) Rescuer’s on both sides walk Upstream for a better pull angle.  Now it’s time to “Pop” the victim free – do so only from the loop side (not the tag line as that loosens the cinch).

JC Step 9

10) The loop side pulls the freed victim to shore and the tag line maintains the cinch by giving slack as needed.

JC Step 10