Larkin Frame

[jmatthe2]

Hello All -

I am teaching a rope class and the owner of the company asked that we incorporate the use of a Larkin Frame. After some quick self-training I have a couple of questions and comments.

The frame was used on a commercial building with a flat roof and a 3.5' parapet. No anchors were available to anchor the feet to the roof, so we used a "counter weight" over the parapet on the low change of direction side. In hindsight I am confident this actually made the foot less stable. The tendancy was to lift the foot up as there was slight upforce because the counter balance was going up and over the parapet.

Let me say I was impressed with the equipment and highly recommend it. The edge transition was smooth and the LF operated without a hitch. We did have some "walk-back" which was anticipated with the lack of anchoring for the feet. All that was needed was very light light down force from a foot and the walking stopped.

I know there are some Aussies out there that can offer some tips with this equipment. What tips do you have to utlize this versatile peice of equipment in an urban environment?

[ADSNWFLD]

Our team uses the Larkin frame and I love it. It is very stable and the only thing we have done is make an effort to tie down the feet. It doesn't require much to keep it in place so whatever we find atop of a building is used.
Our usuall problem is tying back the frame so it doesn't get too close to the edge, with the weight over the edge it doesn't move back on us. The ability to piviot back off the edge makes it a very useful tool.

[lutan1]

Check out these- they might give you some further guidance...

http://oberon.ses.nsw.gov.au/resources/LRFAnalysis.pdf

and...

http://www.escalade.com.au/rescue/index.htm

[jbrescue]

Does this hae any uses that the Arizona Vortex or Multipod can't do? Just curious, never used or seen one.

[jmatthe2]

Lutan - Where have you been? I have been waiting for a response as I figured you would have the most experience with the Larkin. I found the report on the internet a couple of weeks ago and gave it a thorough read before I used the Larkin Frame. They should include it with the instructions!

I will agree, it is an awsome peice of engineering. Like we all do sometimes, I don't want to try and make it do things it is not intended for. Have any of you used it as a highline directional?

JBrescue, the vortex will not pivot like the Larkin, and larkin has fixed legs vs. the pivoting and adjustable leg of the vortex. Having now used both peices of equipment, I like the Larkin better. The Vortex is a good piece of equipment and may be used in some crazy configurations (uneven terrain), but I feel the larkin has a greater margin of error.

[jbrescue]

I will have to look further into the Larkin. Thanks for the info.

[AKUS911]

JMATTE2,
the Vortex is a better piece of equipment! How many rope rescues will you have where you will always have a flat area to set up your larkin frame? Also the vortex is by far more versability then the larkin frame. I think you will see more rescue teams lean toward the vortex as time goes on.

[jmatthe2]

I agree that the larkin may be limited to the surface type, but in an urban environment there are actually many scenarios I can think of for its use.

I just finished a class in the mid-western plains. We showed both the vortex and the larkin. The guys felt that thr half-larkin would serve them well to incorporate in their most common rope rescue...evacuating injured workers off of grain elevators.

We used the vortex as a high directional for a moderate tensioned guiding line, and it stayed very stable. Both products work exceptionally well for there given environment.