ASTM_F_1768_-_97_2014.pdf

Designation:F176897(Reapproved 2014)Standard Guide forUsing Whistle Signals During Rope Rescue Operations1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1768;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide covers the methodology for the use ofwhistles as a means of communication during rope rescueoperations.1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Terminology2.1 There are no terms in this guide that require new orother than dictionary definitions.3.Significance and Use3.1 Whistle signals are a simple and effective means ofcommunication between rescuers and those operating a rope-raising or rope-lowering system.They may be used as aprimary means of communication or as a backup when radiosfail or when ambient noise makes them unintelligible.3.2 These same signals can be used in non-rescue situations,for example,by persons rappelling in caves.4.Procedure4.1 Using a whistle device,or method,with enough volumeto be audible over ambient noise and for the distancesinvolved,use the following pattern of whistle blasts to signalthe required action:4.1.1 Stop,1 Long Whistle BlastUsed to stop all move-ment until further instructions.4.1.2 Up,2 Short Whistle BlastsMeans something orsomebody is moving up or requires to be moved up.Onhorizontal systems it would indicate movement of the loadtowards the anchor or hauling system.4.1.3 Down,3 Short Whistle BlastsMeans something orsomebody is moving down or requires to be moved down.Onhorizontal systems it would indicate movement of the loadaway from the anchor or hauling system.It has an oppositefield of use to Up.4.1.4 Rope Free,4 Short Whistle BlastsUsed at the endof a climb,rappel,raise,or lower to communicate that one isoff the rope,has found a safe position,and that the rope can beused by the next person or for the next operation.4.1.5 Help,Continuous BlastA general emergency call.Its use may indicate different actions depending upon thesystem in use at the time.For example,during a rappel,itwould include the need for a bottom belay.The signal alertsothers to come to the aid and,if necessary,work quickly andsafely to effect a rescue.4.2 A“Short Whistle Blast”is defined as 1 s in duration.Where the signal calls for multiple blasts there shall be a 1-sinterval between each blast.A“Long Whistle Blast”is 3 s induration.A“Continuous Blast”indicating the need for helpshould be long enough to attract attention and be differentiatedfrom any other signal,at least 10 s if possible.4.3 These same patterns could be used with any audiblesignaling device such as a compressed gas horn,vehicle horn,and so forth.5.Keywords5.1 signals;whistles1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search andRescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.02 on Management andOperations.Current edition approved March 1,2014.Published March 2014.Originallyapproved in 1997.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as F1768 97(2007).DOI:10.1520/F1768-97R14.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentionedin this standard.Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights,and the riskof infringement of such rights,are entirely their own responsibility.This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years andif not revised,either reapproved or withdrawn.Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standardsand should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters.Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of theresponsible technical committee,which you may attend.If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you shouldmake your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards,at the address shown below.This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.Individual reprints(single or multiple copies)of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the aboveaddress or at 610-832-9585(phone),610-832-9555(fax),or serviceastm.org(e-mail);or through the ASTM website(www.astm.org).Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the ASTM website(www.astm.org/COPYRIGHT/).F1768 97(2014)2