ASTM F1768-97

Standard Guide for Using Whistle Signals During Rope Rescue Operations

SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the methodology for the use of whistles as a means of communication during rope rescue operations.  
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Feb-1997
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.02 - Management and Operations

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM F1768-97(2002) - Standard Guide for Using Whistle Signals During Rope Rescue Operations
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F2752-19 - Standard Guide for Training for Basic Rope Rescuer Endorsement
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F3048-13(2022) - Standard Guide for Swiftwater/Flood Search and Rescue Operations
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F2954-19 - Standard Guide for Training for Intermediate Rope Rescuer Endorsement
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F3145-15(2022) - Standard Guide for Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Technician Basic
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F2955-19 - Standard Guide for Training for Advanced Rope Rescuer Endorsement
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1997

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 1768 – 97
Standard Guide for
Using Whistle Signals During Rope Rescue Operations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1768; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope ment until further instructions.
4.1.2 Up, 2 Short Whistle Blasts—Means something or
1.1 This guide covers the methodology for the use of
somebody is moving up or requires to be moved up. On
whistles as a means of communication during rope rescue
horizontal systems it would indicate movement of the load
operations.
towards the anchor or hauling system.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1.3 Down, 3 Short Whistle Blasts—Means something or
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
somebody is moving down or requires to be moved down. On
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
horizontal systems it would indicate movement of the load
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
away from the anchor or hauling system. It has an opposite
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
field of use to Up.
2. Terminology
4.1.4 Rope Free, 4 Short Whistle Blasts—Used at the end
of a climb, rappel, raise, or lower to communicate that one is
2.1 There are no terms in this guide that require new or
off the rope, has found a safe position, and that the rope can be
other than dictionary definitions.
used by the next person or for the next operation.
3. Significance and Use
4.1.5 Help, Continuous Blast—A general emergency call.
Its use may indicate different actions depending upon the
3.1 Whistle signals are a simple and effective means of
system in use at the time. For example, during a rappel, it
communication between rescuers and those operating a roper-
would include the need for a bottom belay. The signal alerts
aising or rope-lowering system. They may be used as a primary
others to come to the aid and, if necessary, work quickly and
means of communication or as a backup when radios fail or
safely to effect a rescue.
when ambient noise makes them unintelligible.
4.2 A “Short Whistle Blast” is defined as1sin duratio
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