The standard belay for a rescue person load is which configuration?

The standard belay for a rescue person load is which configuration?

• A. Munter hitch
• B. Girth hitch
• C. Tandem triple wrap Prusik
• D. Figure-eight knot

Answer: (C)

In rescue rope work, stopping a loaded line needs a belay that provides strong, reliable friction with redundancy. The tandem triple wrap Prusik configuration uses two Prusik friction hitches tied in tandem around the belay rope, each with three wraps. When the load is on the line, these Prusiks grip the rope firmly, and the triple wraps boost the friction so the force is held securely and can be controlled by the belayer. Having two Prusiks in tandem adds redundancy—if one grip begins to slip, the other still contributes to holding the load. That combination makes it the go-to setup for arresting a rescue person’s load. The Munter hitch can function as a belay under some conditions but doesn’t offer the same predictable friction and built-in redundancy under heavy rescue loads. A girth hitch isn’t a belay device, and a figure-eight knot is used for anchors or as a stopper, not for braking a moving, loaded line.

In rescue rope work, stopping a loaded line needs a belay that provides strong, reliable friction with redundancy. The tandem triple wrap Prusik configuration uses two Prusik friction hitches tied in tandem around the belay rope, each with three wraps. When the load is on the line, these Prusiks grip the rope firmly, and the triple wraps boost the friction so the force is held securely and can be controlled by the belayer. Having two Prusiks in tandem adds redundancy—if one grip begins to slip, the other still contributes to holding the load. That combination makes it the go-to setup for arresting a rescue person’s load. The Munter hitch can function as a belay under some conditions but doesn’t offer the same predictable friction and built-in redundancy under heavy rescue loads. A girth hitch isn’t a belay device, and a figure-eight knot is used for anchors or as a stopper, not for braking a moving, loaded line.