Rescue system

In a rescue system comprising a hoisting apparatus which includes a backplate, a rope drum mounted on said backplate, said rope drum adapted to receive a rope thereon, wound at least one and one half times about a rope engaging surface on the drum, said rope having a load end and a control end, said drum rotatable in one direction when a pulling force is exerted on said control end and blocked against rotation in an opposite direction when a pulling force is exerted on said load end such that said rope drum provides a braking force on said rope when said pulley force is exerted on said load end;

• the improvement comprising:
• a) an arcuate rope guide fixed to said backplate and extending at least 200.degree. about said drum, said rope guide formed by a pair of laterally spaced legs connected at opposite ends of said rope guide and at one location between said opposite ends to define therebetween a pair of rope slots, said rope guide having an arcuate shape conforming substantially to said circular end flanges of said rope drum;
• and
• b) said rope engaging surface including a cylindrical portion and a single tapered portion flaring radially outwardly toward said backplate.