Harman Patil (Editor)

Radium Release Hitch

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Category
  
Hitch

Releasing
  
Load releasing

Efficiency
  
30kn

Typical use
  
technical rope rescue

Radium Release Hitch

A radium release hitch is a load-releasing hitch using 3:1 mechanical advantage which is used in a two-rope technical rescue system. The Radium Release Hitch allows a load to be transferred from one rope to another and is commonly rigged into the belay line prior to the operation of a two-rope technical rescue system.

Contents

A radium release hitch is typically tied with 10 meters of 8mm rope and two locking carabiners. A reasonable length for the hitch (distance between the 2 carabiners) is 10 to 15 cm.

History

The Radium Release Hitch was developed by Rigging for Rescue (with input from Arnor Larson) as a result of the extensive comparative analysis of release devices undertaken during 1997 through 1999. Or may have been developed by Kirk Mauther from Basecamp Innovations.

Usage

  • Passing knots
  • Untensioning a locked lowering device or locked up prussiks.

    • Tying

  • Tie a figure 8 on a bight at one end of the cord and clip it into the load carabiner on its spine side.
  • Clip the standing part of the rope through the anchor carabiner and back down through the load carabiner; bring the rope back up to the anchor carabiner.
  • Tie a Münter hitch on its gate side of the anchor carabiner. Ensure that the Münter hitch is in the release position with the in-feed rope toward the gate side of the carabiner
  • Secure the Radium Release Hitch using a bight to tie a half hitch on a bight around the entire stem below the Münter hitch, and then back it up with an overhand on a bight knot again around the entire stem.
  • Tie a figure 8 on a bight at the other end, and clip it to a secure anchor.

    • References

    Radium Release Hitch Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA