Chairlift Evacuation Refresher
Ausblick Ski Area
Chairlift Evacuation Guidelines
A chairlift evacuation is NOT a National Ski Patrol
function; rather it is completely under the control
and discretion of Ausblick, Inc. and their hill manager
or supervisors.
Patrollers will participate to the extent of their training
and do so as a volunteer service to the hill. Patrollers
electing to participate are covered under Ausblick’s
insurance policy based on the “Medical Personnel
Coverage” endorsement and are considered
“volunteer workers”.
The Hill management will direct and control all aspects
of the evacuation process.
Who Makes the Decision?
Only the Hill manager or supervisor in charge may
make the decision to request a chairlift evacuation.
Hill management or supervisor in charge shall notify
the Patrollers on duty that the chairlift is
malfunctioning and an evacuation is requested.
Patrollers become “volunteer workers” of the Hill
and thus under the sole control of the Hill
management.
Lift Evacuation Supervisor
CHAIRLIFT EVACUATION MANUAL
Patrollers on duty will decide which patroller is in charge and
that patroller shall become the Lift Evacuation Supervisor
(LES).
This person should notify Hill management and all contact
should be through the LES, especially those needing to be
done by patrollers. The LES will take charge of the
evacuation process.
The LES shall hold and maintain control of the “AUSBLICK
CHAIRLIFT EVACUATION GUIDELINE MANUAL” (binder)
found with the evacuation equipment. This binder holds
the forms and guidelines needed to be completed before,
during and after the evacuation.
Also with the binder are the “iron maiden” lockout device with a
padlock and key and the key to the auxiliary engine.
Radio Communication
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Radios shall be used to maintain
communication between Hill management,
the LES and teams on the hill.
All radio communications shall be on the Hill
operations channel (NOT the Ski Patrol
channel).
Each evacuation team should have at least
one radio controlled by the team leader.
Is More Help Needed?
All Patrollers should meet in the Patrol Room, using all
competent patrollers available at the hill. The LES has
discretion to use non-patrollers on non-hill personnel to
assist in the evacuation. The LES shall establish teams and
team leaders who shall obtain the evacuation bag and
launcher case.
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The LES will decide if more patrollers should
be called in and assigns the desk personnel
to make the phone calls using the most
current Evacuation Phone List found in front
of the binder.
Chairlift Lockout
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Hill manager or supervisor is to turn OFF the
electrical switch that controls the chairlift in the
back/top section of the bottom lift house.
The LES will lock the lever in the off position with
the “iron maiden” and padlock with the lock
provided. The LES should hold the only key to this
lock and only unlock it only when the evacuation is
completed.
The LES should also use the key provided to turn
off the ignition to the auxiliary diesel engine. The
LES should be certain to turn the ignition switch to
the OFF or LOCK position and maintain control of
the key until the evacuation is complete.
The LES should insure that hill
management understands the
lift must remain disabled until
the LES authorizes the
“ALL CLEAR”
and the chair can be restarted.
Chairlift Main Electrical Switch
The switch is located in the lower lift
utility room and is labeled as “CHAIR
LIFT CONTROL”.
The switch is secured in the “OFF”
position and is secured with the “Iron
Maiden” and padlock. These are
found in the binder and installed by
the Lift Evacuation Supervisor.
Auxiliary Engine Lockout
The auxiliary engine is
located inside the lower
bull wheel. The engine
normally has no key and is
always in the on position.
The LES will use the key
supplied in the binder to
lock out the engine.
NOTIFY ALL PASSENGERS THAT AN
EVACUATION IS IN PROGRESS
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Top of hill operator has laminated script to read to each passenger
or have a patroller do this or use the PA system if operational.
Advise passengers that an evacuation is underway and help will be
coming soon. Tell them to stay in place, with the safety bar down
and do not try to jump from the chairs. They should sit close
together and do not remove skis, boards or poles.
Explain that the evacuation will start from the top of the hill and
work down.
Identify passengers in need of emergency care, young children or
personnel (such as other Patrollers) that could help with the
evacuation. Note the chair number and notify the LES by radio. The
LES should note these special cases on the form in the binder.
The LES may specify that these special cases be evacuated from the
lift immediately and dispatch the teams appropriately.
If the LES needs additional personnel he may request assistance of
individuals on the hill.
Evacuation Equipment Bag
Three (3) complete bags with identical
equipment are stored in Ski Patrol room
EQUIPMENT IN EACH EVACUATION BAG
Bag
Evacuation rope
Head lamp
6 volt flashlight
Two – 6’ nylon web straps
Locking carabineer
Metal cinch
Utility harness
GRIGRI
Rope chest harness
RopeSaver
Steel o-ring w/ clip
Evacuation Device
Guide line
Throwline w/ weight & bag
DESIGNATE EVACUATION TEAMS
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Three person teams minimum should be organized with a belayer,
anchor & talker, if manpower is available. The LES has the discretion to
have teams with fewer members with the minimum being one belayer
and one anchor.
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A Patroller should be designated to throw lines over the lift cable using the
weighted bag and attached line. Line should be tossed up between the
cables so that it will go over the cable the chairs hang on from the inside to
the outside.
Throw line will be clipped to evacuation rope with attached carabiner and
used to pull rope with rope saver over cable.
First line will be up the hill from the highest chair closest to the highest
uphill towers. LES may use their discretion to alter the order of chair
evacuation.
Evacuation rope shall be flipped over successive downhill chairs.
The metal rope savers are to be used in ALL training and ALL actual
evacuations.
TEAMS BEGIN EVACUATION
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No team may begin launching lines until the LES confirms that the chair is
locked out and the evacuation may begin.
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Talker follows the talker checklist (see TALKER CHECKLIST)
Launch lines are thrown over cables
During evacuation belayer will use GRIGRI and harness
Position of belayer and anchor.
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Belayer – position is perpendicular to cable and chair and slightly uphill
Anchor – Positioned directly behind belayer in line with rope, facing chair. The six foot loop
of nylon webbing is looped around the back of the harness that the belayer wears. The
webbing is then passed around the back of the anchor for extra security if the belayer were
to slip.
A bystander can be used as the anchor if properly instructed.
Second web loop may be used for additional anchoring to people, skis or available
equipment.
When passengers are lowered and off of the evacuation device they are informed
that they are to proceed to a point designated by hill management as the CHECK IN
area. Management will record their name and phone number and they will be
checked by a patroller for any injuries and released.
Evacuation seat with a trace-back figure eight
knot and safety overhand knot.
Throw Bag
The throw bag replaces the launcher used previously. The weight is
thrown over the chairlift cable. The end is clipped to the steel o-ring on
the evacuation line and used to pull it over the cable.
Rope Saver
The rope saver is permanently
threaded on evacuation rope
and should not be removed
The rope saver is always used for training and actual evacuations.
(This is new for 2008)
Rope Saver on Cable
Rope saver must be lowered to ground before
attempting to “flip” rope over chair
Utility Harness
New for 2008
Universal size – used by belayer only
Fitting New Harness on Belayer
New GRIGRI Belay Device
GRIGRI
Notice engraving on GRIGRI shows
direction rope should be oriented
Proper Hand Position
Belayer and Anchor
ANCHOR
BELAYER
Nylon web strap
Proper Anchor Position
The anchor webbing is
cinched to the back of the
utility harness the belayer
is wearing
Anchor secures webbing around
back. Second web strap is for
multiple anchor points such as
more people or equipment.
Correct Hand & Body Position
Left hand on GRIGRI
release lever to control
descent
Notice correct positioning of hands
Right hand
guides rope
Talker
Talker Checklist & Script
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Talker should stand back and uphill of the passengers so they can see talker in front of them, not below and out of the way of anything
dropped from the chair. If it is dark a flashlight should be shown on the talker to illuminate them as they explain guideline
“My name is _______________ and I am a member of the Ausblick Ski Area.” (not the Ski Patrol or National Ski Patrol).
“Do you want to be evacuated?”
“Do not do anything unless you are instructed to and please respond that you understand by saying ‘I understand’”.
“Carefully drop your poles to the side, but keep your skis and boards on”.
Talker will demonstrate how to put the evacuation device on.
Place device between legs and put safety harness around chest.
Pull metal collar toward you to tighten securely.
“What will be the order we evacuate you from the chair?”
Talker will unwind guide line attached to evacuation device.
“Primary Ready”! TALK LOUDLY and be certain of the response before starting.
“Anchor Ready”! TALK LOUDLY and be certain of the response before starting.
“Primary raises the chair in position”.
“Guide the rope and to raise the safety bar as the device nears the chair.”
“The seat part of the evacuation device must be placed underneath the chair and between their legs”.
“Put the safety harness over your head and shoulders and around your chest and cinch it tight with the metal collar, pulling towards
you”.
“Primary Ready”! TALK LOUDLY and be certain of the response before starting.
“Anchor Ready”! TALK LOUDLY and be certain of the response before starting.
“Slide off the chair and onto the evacuation device, keep one hand on the chair and one hand on the device as we lower you down”.
Talker guides descent with the guide rope to stop any spinning and keep passenger away from the chair. As the passenger descends
talker should walk towards landing spot, keeping tension on the guide line. Talker should be at the landing spot when passenger lands.
Passenger should land with their skis or board across the fall line.
Talker should pull down on the rope and assist with the removal of the evacuation device.
Retrieve the passenger’s poles and direct them to report to the CHECK IN area at the bottom of the hill.
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NON-COOPERATIVE PASSENGER
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Attempt to reassure passenger that the evacuation is safe and required.
Explain that there is no other safe alternative to chair evacuation.
Explain that the Ski Area trains all personnel every year on the guideline.
Explain that they will be left until everyone else has been evacuated and that we will return at that time to evacuate them, but it may
take as long as an hour.
If unsuccessful notify the hill management.
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Evacuation Device
Correct positioning of evacuation device is
underneath seat and between legs
Positioning Chest Strap
Metal clasp
Rope harness is put around
chest and cinched tight with
metal clasp
Lowering Evacuee
EVACUATION COMPLETED
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All teams return to bottom of lift with equipment.
LES will account for all personnel and equipment.
Sweep hill to ensure no one is left on the hill or chairs.
LES issues an “ALL CLEAR” and notifies hill manager or supervisor in
charge that evacuation is complete and the hill has been swept. LES
turns auxiliary engine to the on (unlocked) key position and
removes the iron maiden lock from the chair switch.
Note time completed.
Return to Patrol Room and debrief all teams and make notes as to
what worked well and any problems encountered.
LES will complete evacuation report with hill manager or supervisor.
Inspect and restore equipment contacting Chairlift IOR or Patrol
Equipment Manager as to disposition and repacking of equipment.
End of “Monkey Chain” Rope
This chain knot is used for
storage of the main
lowering line (black) and
the guide line (purple).
Note how the end of the
rope is secured, make sure
to pull the end out of the
last loop and then pull to
release the rest of the
loops. Do NOT pull the end
through the rest of the
loops or it will not pull
apart correctly. Study the
picture to understand how
the knot works.
Click here to see how the Monkey Chain is made.