CMC Rescue MPD User's Guide by CMC Rescue School Instructor | CMC

CMC Rescue presents a supplemental instructional guide for the CMC Rescue Multipurpose Device (MPD), this video briefly reviews the basics of the MPD, including parts, loading instructions, and rigging for use in technical rescue applications.

Here, LeRoy Harbach, one of the CMC Rescue School instructors talks about the MPD, its operation, and how to use it. The MPD is designed to replace several components in a traditional rigging setup, namely the anchor plate, descent control which in this case is a barrack, the load release, change of direction pulley, and the prusik. The MPD replaces all of this while effectively and efficiently doing all of the same jobs performed by this traditional setup.

The MPD is UL Classified to the NFPA 1893 standards as a pulley, auxiliary equipment as well as a descent control device. It carries multiple certifications for one piece of equipment. It comes in two sizes, the 11 mm version and the 13 mm version. Both versions are designed to be used with static or low stretch kernmantle rope.

The release handle does not engage unless you lift up on it to prevent any inadvertent bumping from releasing the load or from allowing the load to go down. The parking brake is designed so that if the operator needs to walk away they can set the parking brake, put it into position and not have to be concerned if the load is going to move. The front cover protects the gear drive that operates the release. The front cover plate lists the data and classifications. The backside contains a graphic illustration that shows hand position as well as the load side of the MPD.

The MPD operates via a one-way bearing on the pulley sheave on the inside so that it will only spin as a high-efficiency pulley in the raising position. Because it is a one-way bearing it engages a moveable brake. The moveable brake works is via the smooth interface between the fixed friction post and the moveable brake, squeezing the rope or holding the rope in position. There are no teeth and it is not jawed so it is a very smooth interface so we do not have to worry about rope damage. The secondary friction post allows the rope to come up and through for additional friction with heavier loads for controlled lowering. The becket on the bottom is a rated connection point for either a forward tie or to build a mechanical advantage.

Watch the video for more rigging guidance... how to load the device, connect it into an anchor, how to perform a safety check, etc.

CMC Rescue, the most trusted name in rescue equipment and training. CMC Rescue Equipment and CMC Rescue School specialize in providing rope rescue gear products, rope hardware, and rescue kits and systems as well as providing rope rescue and rope access training for pros in technical rope rescue, fire rescue, search and rescue, SAR, tower rescue and industrial rope access. In addition, CMC offers rescue equipment and training school classes for confined space rescue and entry, air rescue operations, helo ops, Swiftwater and flatwater rescue, and courses for work at height fall protection. Some of the quality products offered by CMC Rescue Equipment are Petzl and DBI SALA products, Aztek pulleys, ProSeries pulley systems, CMC Roco harnesses, ProTech carabiners, Arizona Vortex and Sked Evac tripods, Skedco and Traverse Rescue litters and stretchers, lanyards, straps and anchors, books, manuals, and field guides.

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[horescuedude]

Thank you so much for putting this video together.  It saves a lot of time and really defines the critical features and functions of the MPD. I try not to read or participate in comment sections because they are often quite ridiculous, however, I feel it necessary to give praise to a company that really cares about saving lives and keeping people safe. This device does just that.  I am a member of a professional rescue organization and we will be bringing this on soon to make our systems faster and safer.

[richardlamb]

Great video!!! What size pulley's are being used? !.5 single 1.5 Double or are they 2" pulleys

[JDx]

This video was very well put together with practical information. Thank you

[ignaciovasquez]

Awesome video, we use the 13mm one and we love it!!!

[jason]

Question: Do you need a radium release hitch on your belay line if using the MPD? Assuming your belay line is loaded and locked with two prusik, couldn't you haul with the MPD easing the pressure on the belay to release your belay prusik? Even if you had a total main line failure you could re-establish the main line and haul to ease the belay right?

[BBP]

RPM vs MPD, give me the MPD every time. Despise trying to gather slack on a main line through a rack. Change over from lower to raise is light years quicker. Progress capture is effortless. Did I mention you can leave the LRD on the truck. ?

RPM is a poor backup to the MPD, IMHO....

[kyro]

Heres the problem Im seeing: how do you inspect this thing at a glance or even in depth. If something isnt right you cant just open it up and look at it if its under load without breaking out the prusik, carabiners, and extra rope to check on it. What if you get mud in there or tree sap? I can almost guarantee a wet rope or a brand new rope or a weird sized diameter rope is going to have a different feel to the break. How does it handle shock loading in these conditions? Whats the max and min diameter of rope that you can put inside it? I do appreciate that it attaches midline at least. The other thing is that its not as straightforward or intuitive so you cant just hand it off to a newbie and they will understand. Even the brake lock needs to be explained.

In the comments you mentioned this in reply to someone asking about use of a radium release hitch:
"If something were to happen to the main line which caused the load to transfer to the belay, locking up the prusiks, you could rig a new main line, raise the load, and unlock the prusiks. The question is do you have the time and equipment to do that? It could take quite a while to rebuild that main system, not to mention the need for additional rope and hardware."

If time is an issue I would honestly just take a couple of wraps around a tree or rescue 8 and sling before even installing this thing. In my field of work we use break tubes/porta-wraps. They are a single solid block of metal that you take wraps on and can visually see everything going on and intuitively gauge how much friction you have. And even with this fancy device (which has a way waaaay lower weight rating, mind you) you still have to lock it off for people to understand whats going on 100%.

Also, you guys use kernmantle? Seriously??

[luismurillo]

por favor crear algunos videos instructivos en idioma español.

[bull]

It is a nice addition to the bags no doubt, but do not let it be the one and only thing you grab from the bag. Everyone should know how to properly use all the other equipment. It is a tool and sometimes tools fail. We use them for our belay line and like the ease of set up/portability but our mainline is still RPM. INHO you just cant beat the rack. Very good piece of equipment but it has its place.

[heysplangy]

Great product. Good video. ...but seriously, who puts these together and then goes: "what this really needs is some lame, meandering background music"?

[jolllyroger]

To complicated You can do everything it does with carabiners or various 8's too heavy and not able to use for other things

[igneous]

....you truely overcomplicated that thing....