what is the proper rope that allows one to escape from resort hotel that is under terrorist attack or fire? Should I carry a rigger belt to rapel down? What floor of hotel should I stay in order to facilitate faster escape? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I don't know about types of ropes or rigger belts but the easiest floor to escape from would be the ones nearest the ground unless you were being rescued by helicopter then the top would be easiest but you will never know. The top may have exploded or maybe the 1st floor has a fire so realistically you can't predict where the safest spot to stay is - but easiest to get away without tools would be first or second.

Another thing to consider is do you need rope? In case of emergancy can you go down balcony hopping? I know I could if I was in an emergancy! You need to figure out the hotel(s) you wil be staying in and the room(s) you will be using to figure out wht you need.

A 8 - 10 mm synthetics rope with sheath should be fine. A belt and a figure 8 descender would make it easier. The length of the rope will limit the height. A dynamic rope may help if you have to fall before the rapel. You should bear in mind that you would need a propper anchor point and the option to go out of a window. Air conditioned rooms sometimes have windows you can´t open. Breaking the glass wiil leave sharp edges or even glass shards that could damage your rope. Either way edge protection is mandatory.
As you ask about the rope I assume that you don´t have experience with rapeling. You should try to find someone who will show you how to properly handle your equippment.

Obviously a ground floor room is best for escape, but they have other problems and are rare. My understanding is the best floors are 2-7. Mainly because most fire equipment can only reach to about that level. But you are not at ground level so if there is a street level explosion or somebody wants to break in to your room the will have a harder time coming through the window. Generally speaking I think it is safe to say for ESCAPING, lower is better. However from a security (terrorist attack or an B&E) stand point you don't want to be too low. Also don't dream of rapelling without some instruction first. I can't recall any instance where someone repelled to safety out of a building (independant of Rescue Service), that is not to say many folks would not have liked to have the option.

Marc

Marc,

I concur with everything you wrote and add that 7 is too high for most FDs - 5 stories may be beyond or right at the practical reach limit for small to medium size city FDs. Current building code (IBC) and its immediate predecessor codes recognize this. The ladder truck should stand off out of the fall zone of the wall whenever possible, plus going up and down a near vertical ladder has obvious drawbacks.

But regardless of local/mutual aid FD capability, other than a small localized fire that does not seriously threaten the building structural integrity, it would not be good planning to expect a rescue from a ladder truck if the building you're in is over 5 stories. If the fire is immediately blocking the exit from your room, it's the window or nothing. If it is not blocking your room, you may be able to make it to a second means of egress from that floor (heat and smoke are still something to contend with).

I prefer 2nd story rooms greatly but am comfy with 3rd story. Above that <shrug> take what you're dealt - odds are really low it will ever matter to any one individual anyway. Good, sensible enforcement of model building and fire codes is the best protection. It's not hard to learn the key visible elements of building safety and decide quickly if the hotel you're in is safe enough or a potential death trap. Change hotels if you're not comfortable - I have. Better a run-down decor in a less convenient location than a fancy-but-safety-compromised one.

That's not always an option, of course, but life is an ultimately fatal activity anyway.

Regards,

Tom

My guess would be... the ground floor???
That way you can skip the rappell.

Without training you are better of investing in Rescue 8 personal protective devices.

50 meters of decent kernmantel rope, even going as small as 5mm spectra, with appropriate descenders, belay hardwear, and a minimal harness is going to run into some pretty serious bulk/weight, and, without training, you will die.

From your description, -I think Fire Proofing or Resistance, -would be Important and Desireable, -in such Rope or Gear. [color:"black"] [/color] [email]picard120[/email]

Myself, I am afraid of being burned alive. I have a micro repel system made for ghost ops it is a repelling system that fits in small pouch and can be used it go out the window from any floor.

http://www.neropes.com/safety_rescue/default.htm

Yea... I have been looking at that thing for a LONG time...
I wonder how well it would work with a 250lb load?
Would I have to use the 3mm rigging with a 5mm line?

I have to get my weight back to 170lb! But it is so hard to get back to that weight for someone of my age...
I gained a lot of this weight when I got hurt and had to stop most activity, and after I got better, I had by that time been given the job of manning the phones almost exclusivly...