Fast-roping
Encyclopedia
Fast-roping, sometimes known as Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System (FRIES), is a technique for descending a thick rope
. It is useful for deploying troops from a helicopter
in places where the helicopter itself cannot touch down. First developed by the British with UK rope manufacturer Marlow Ropes, its first combat use was during the Falklands War
. The original rope was a thick nylon that could be used in a manner akin to a Firepole. The special ropes used today are braided (plaited), which results in pattern on the outer circumference that is not smooth and so easier to grip. Originally, each person would hold the rope for the next person; however this has been phased out.
It is quicker than abseiling (rappelling)
, although more dangerous, particularly if the person is carrying a heavy load, because the rope is not attached to them with a descender. The person holds onto the rope with his gloved hands and feet and slides down it. (The British method advises not to use the feet as this can make the descent for following personnel more dangerous because boot polish or the leather of the boot can make the rope extremely slippery.) Several people can slide down the same rope simultaneously, provided that there is a gap of approximately 3 metres (9.8 ft) between them, so that each one has time to get out of the way when they reach the ground. The rope must be thick, typically 40 millimetres (1.6 in) diameter, to prevent it from being wildly jerked about from the rotor blast
of the helicopter. It is essential to wear glove
s, as sliding down a rope generates great heat from friction.
Fast roping onto a ship can take approximately 30 seconds, and is used when a rapid build up of boarding forces is required.
Rope
A rope is a length of fibres, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. It has tensile strength but is too flexible to provide compressive strength...
. It is useful for deploying troops from a helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
in places where the helicopter itself cannot touch down. First developed by the British with UK rope manufacturer Marlow Ropes, its first combat use was during the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
. The original rope was a thick nylon that could be used in a manner akin to a Firepole. The special ropes used today are braided (plaited), which results in pattern on the outer circumference that is not smooth and so easier to grip. Originally, each person would hold the rope for the next person; however this has been phased out.
It is quicker than abseiling (rappelling)
Abseiling
Abseiling , rappelling in American English, is the controlled descent down a rock face using a rope; climbers use this technique when a cliff or slope is too steep and/or dangerous to descend without protection.- Slang terms :...
, although more dangerous, particularly if the person is carrying a heavy load, because the rope is not attached to them with a descender. The person holds onto the rope with his gloved hands and feet and slides down it. (The British method advises not to use the feet as this can make the descent for following personnel more dangerous because boot polish or the leather of the boot can make the rope extremely slippery.) Several people can slide down the same rope simultaneously, provided that there is a gap of approximately 3 metres (9.8 ft) between them, so that each one has time to get out of the way when they reach the ground. The rope must be thick, typically 40 millimetres (1.6 in) diameter, to prevent it from being wildly jerked about from the rotor blast
Wake
A wake is the region of recirculating flow immediately behind a moving or stationary solid body, caused by the flow of surrounding fluid around the body.-Fluid dynamics:...
of the helicopter. It is essential to wear glove
Glove
A glove is a garment covering the hand. Gloves have separate sheaths or openings for each finger and the thumb; if there is an opening but no covering sheath for each finger they are called "fingerless gloves". Fingerless gloves with one large opening rather than individual openings for each...
s, as sliding down a rope generates great heat from friction.
Fast roping onto a ship can take approximately 30 seconds, and is used when a rapid build up of boarding forces is required.