Aerial rescue in a REAL emergency

[Andy Collins]

So, given the last few posts, is there any point to an A/R ticket, aside from insurance and H&S requirements.

Even the best climbers are going to take some time getting out on a limb and getting someone down, in a perfect rescue scenario. It may be quicker than waiting for emergency services, and fair enough you could ascend the tree and stabilise the casualty which should help them have a chance.

[Mark T]

Fortunately, I've never had to do it in anger... like a few here, I've come close though.

 

We make our students practice a lot, not just in the run up to CS 38 but drop it into a pruning practical or spiking session (pole rescue). One student had a saw accident in a Beech whilst out working, he cut his left arm and had to use his right arm to stop the bleeding so couldn't operate his friction hitch - don't always expect to be able to get yourself out of trouble.

 

There are a few little things that can be done to reduce the time a rescue can take - I'm sure most of you already use them but I thought it might be worth mentioning for those who don't.

 

Install an access rope into the tree for a rescuer to use - the most time consuming part of a rescue is getting into the canopy.

 

Have the rescue kit out of the van and next to the tree - harness setup and ready to go

 

Pre-load the harness with slings, pullys, karabiners, prussik loops, first aid kit etc.

 

The three suggestions above are a bit of a pain in the arse when you're not used to doing it but it soon becomes habit - you've got to weigh it up - is your safety worth an extra 5 mins per day?

[educated arborist]

Good point about having a route strait down at all times, even if you are KO'd it will save those crutial 5 mins as the rescue'r can fly up the tree (on the access line left up the tree at all times) and yank on your prussik (once clipped to you etc etc etc)

Those 5 mins really could be crucial & not having a AR'er on the ground could f**k that right up!

If the access line also has the asenders/similer allredy set up & even the spare harness near by & out of the locked van locker it would be sped up even more. As for spiking a pole & not having another set of spikes I bet hindsight probably didn't seem so great for those poor chaps ay?

[educated arborist]

sorry gimmer we must have been typing bat the same time

[Mesterh]

I think that having an A/R ticket is definately worth while, I would rather work with someone who had one rather than not.

 

Would it be acceptable or practical to use the injured climbers line to access the tree using an ascender or footlocking etc?

Surely this must be one of the quickest ways to get to them.

[Mark T]

sorry gimmer we must have been typing bat the same time

 

Great minds and all that...!

[Andy Collins]

Good points.

assuming the lead climber is aloft a big tree, and the nasties happen, the 2nd climber on the ground is relatively inexperienced, maybe even daunted by the large tree, and has to perform A/R, I think we can all see the problems!

I've been working trees for about 13 years now, and have yet to see a climber set a 2nd line for emergency use. 1 company I worked for had an emergency kit set up, but it would rarely go out as it took up too much space on the truck, or went out with another crew. I'm not looking for the right answers as taught, but looking at real life scenarios involving real life humans and all their faults, and to give us all food for thought.

[educated arborist]

lol! Ive been doing it since i started working Its a shame some1 doesn't wan't to give the pair of us some handsome salaries to sort out the hse, nptc and al that realy underfunded when it comes to arb + the nptc have an inability to spend their budget on anything worth while!

[gibbon]

So, given the last few posts, is there any point to an A/R ticket, aside from insurance and H&S requirements.

Even the best climbers are going to take some time getting out on a limb and getting someone down, in a perfect rescue scenario. It may be quicker than waiting for emergency services, and fair enough you could ascend the tree and stabilise the casualty which should help them have a chance.

 

If you are working on a tree with tricky access, or carrying out high risk work why not install a rescue line. I get the piont about self rescue and agree, but we should plan for the worst, you only get one chance.

[Andy Collins]

I think that having an A/R ticket is definately worth while, I would rather work with someone who had one rather than not.

 

Would it be acceptable or practical to use the injured climbers line to access the tree using an ascender or footlocking etc?

Surely this must be one of the quickest ways to get to them.

 

But has he nicked the line in the event of the accident? You dont know, and cant see.