Aerial rescue in a REAL emergency

[David Humphries]

We use a company called ABC response training, 0161 626 1364 they are used by quite a few arb companys in my area and do specific training for our industry

 

 

 

Thanks for the info Spikey

 

 

 

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[Billy Goat Gruff]

Firstly, gents don't rely on the Fire Service, as their response times will almost definetly be too late, and some Brigades have rope access teams that are only based at one or two stations in the county, and if you are in a rural location with difficult terrain forget it.

I always brief my team prior to the days work, on the risk assesment, and that involves the most important question, where can the air ambulance land?

We will always ask for a priority response using the air ambulance if there is adequate landing space.

Also make sure every body on site knows the address to give emergency services, or knows where the risk assesment is kept with all the info on!!

[Billy Goat Gruff]

A few other points,

If we are climbing big trees, we will put up a secondary line into the tree, its easy to do and have a harness attatched at the bottom of the tree, the only problem we have encountered with doing this is when dragging brash away from the tree base, sometimes you find that yuo are dragging away the rescue gear as well.

I also thought that you have to have another person trained in aerial rescue on site if the climber is in the tree? ie a groundsperson.

[Billy Goat Gruff]

Lastly,

As a great believer in self rescue techniques, I always carry in my personal first aid kit on my harness:

A Whistle, to attract attention from groundstaff if they are, say using the chipper, although in a real emergency situation if I am honest, I probably would not be thinking about blowing a whistle, that would be the last thing on my mind.

One packet of cellox to chuck on the wound.

One large wound dressing to chuck on the cellox

Two sets of cas straps, ( velcro staps), these are ultra quick to use for securing a wound dressing nice and tight to stem blood flow, forget bandages too much mucking around.

then bale out of the tree, ASAP.

this as always depends on the severity of the wound,

How you as a person will function under pressure and in Shock

and what type of set up you have in the tree.