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Re: Aerial Rescue Demo

canopytree@aol.com
Mon, 27 Oct 1997 19:54:40 -0600


Dear Mike,

As the other replies have said, don't use the Climbing Championship-CC- as a model for how to put on an Aerial Rescue. The CC is not the real world.

In order to bring AR up to speed with other types of rescue techniques a sound basis in First Aid is required. Start with assessment of the scene. Next, the mechanism of injury. Contact the EMS/911 system, and DO NOT hang up before being told to by the operator. Decide the best means of rescue. In the CC we can't use spikes, and this is probably going to be the best ascent method a lot of the time. Does the rescuer bring along first aid supplies into the tree? Assess the victim in the tree. Does first aid start in the tree or on the ground? Should we stabilize in place? When the decision is made to lower the victim, what is the best method? How do we transport the victim to the ambulance?

In 1995 and 1996 I had the priviledge of being a judge at the CC. There were several good ideas that I picked up that should be incorporated in AR training.

---During the descent, rather than the rescuer using one hand on each Blake/Tautline, clip a double locking rope snap or carabiner above both knots. By pulling down on one side or the other, the rescuer can stay ahead or behind the victim. This frees up one of the rescuer's hands to help position themself.

---Keep a duffle bag or satchel with gear for AR. FA kit, blankets, trauma dressings, climbing gear.

---The rescuer should get themselves set for the descent before starting FA. During the CC many climbers started to work with the victim before they had a good tie-in. This led to a lot of struggles. After seeing climbers tie in first, then move to the victim, I could see a smoother rescue as well as quicker.

---If the rescuer decides to foot lock up a doubled rope there is a technique that can save a little time. First, the rescuer needs a longer rope than normal. This is because the rescuer does not tie into the end of the ascent rope. The rescuer must take a split tail with them and also must know which side of the rope is the short end. Once the rescuer is near the victim and can tie in for descent, tie a figure eight on a bight in the short end of the doubled rope just below the ascenders or ascending loop. With ascenders this is easy to keep track of, with an ascending loop the climber will need to remember if the rope was threaded Rt to Lft or L to R in the tie in crotch. Another crew member could assist in keeping track of this too. Next, the climber clips the figure eight on a bight into the biner with the split tail, ties in, and continues to the victim. All of this only saves a few seconds but seconds add up.

---The rescuer can carry a second climbing rope into the tree, set up with a pre tied split tail. That way the ascent rope can be abandoned. A few more seconds!

---If the rescuer needs to keep the victim's torso upright for the descent, a webbing sling can be slung around the chest in different ways. The easiest is a girth hitch just under the arms. This can lead to constriction so be careful. Another quick shoulder harness is made by twisting the sling into a figure eight. Place this under the back below the shoulder blades and tuck an arm through each loop. Clip the two loops together with a biner. With a cord sling the rescuer can tie a girth hitch onto the victims rope and clip the biner to it. An alternative is for the rescuer to use their flip line under the victims arms. By clipping the flip line onto the rope and snugging up the flipline, the victim will be pulled into a vertical position.

You mentioned that you are looking for "flash". Just having Jim there should be flashy itself! Hi Jim! You could string rope or throw line cord to simulate hot electrical lines near the limb. If the rescuer weighted a limb too much they might become a second victim. What about bees? You could rig up a sprinkler in the tree and use hot water to simulate bee stings. Of course, check water temp first...

Be sure to belay the rescuer during the descent. At our EHAP training we have had people come down the rope a little too fast because of the weight of two people. Use a Gri Gri, porta wrap, bollard or other friction device rather than just a waist or hip, body belay.

Practice in a low tree first if necessary. When we all learned to climb we didn't take on the 6o foot prune the first time out. Find a low branched tree to work out details.

Have a low teacher/student ratio. If this is to be learning rather than just observing you need close supervision.

Have fun! Keep me posted with how your plans proceed...

Strong limbs and snug ropes!

Tom