The International Technical Rescue Symposium
Mike and Chris just returned from another great ITRS conference. This year’s conference was held in Seattle from November 1-4. As usual the conference showcased a number of quality presentations about the latest in technical rescue research, including a presentation and key note address from the well renowned John Dill of YOSAR. Mike presented RfR’s latest research on multi-point anchor equalization. The full report and videos can be found here: http://dev.riggingforrescue.com/AnchorFavoring.html This year’s conference also included a tour of the SMC factory. The picture below show’s AERT’s Arnold Peña, a long time conference attendee, assembling a carabiner at the factory. Arnold will be attending the upcoming Rigging for Rescue seminar at Red Rock Canyon NCA
Self Rescue and Small Team Response
Last week was our Self Rescue and Small Team Response Workshop held at our home base of Ouray, Colorado. The participants were keen, the weather was flawless, and we had an outstanding week of training. Exercises included basic belay escapes and transfers of tension, rescuing the second as well as the leader using counter-balance techniques, a very challenging leader rescue in traversing terrain, a multi-pitch leader rescue and evacuation including use of a tensioned guiding line to cross a water hazard, and some team-based pickoffs. Our next offering of this workshop will be May, 2013.
From the Archive…
A demonstration drop test of the British Columbia Council on Technical Rescue Belay Competence Drop Test Method 1 meter drop on 3 meters of 11 millimeter low stretch rope with a 200kg test mass. The belay device is a mechanical rope grab: the Gibbs ascender.
West Metro Fire
Rigging for Rescue recently traveled to Colorado’s Front Range to work with a group of firefighters from multiple agencies around the state. The course was hosted by West Metro Fire and was a great training with highly skilled participants. Included in the exercises were difficult edge transitions with a vertically oriented litter, a deflection line, work with artificial high directionals, and a two-attendant moderate slope evacuation, as seen in the gallery below. We can’t wait to return in 2013!
New Location for 2012!
Many thanks to our friends at Las Vegas Metro PD SAR for working with us to now offer an open enrollment seminar in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area on the west end of Las Vegas. Those of you who have had the good fortune to climb out at Red Rock Canyon will instantly recognize this as a world class technical rescue training venue. As guests of LVMPD SAR we have access to the visitor center classroom, meaning we have just a short commute between the indoor classroom and the outdoor classroom. And with affordable flights into nearby McCarran International Airport and abundant lodging just outside Red Rock Canyon, this is sure to be a popular offering. See you in Vegas! Course dates: November 10-16, 2012 http://dev.riggingforrescue.com/RfRtheSeminar.html http://dev.riggingforrescue.com/RedRock.html
Denali Climbing Rangers and 212th RQS
Another great training with Denali NP and the 212th Rescue Squadron. This year’s training took place out of the Serenity Falls Hut in Chugach State Park.
Update and Beyond, Ouray 2012
Once again, a great crew of participants traveled to Ouray, Colorado to attend a Rigging for Rescue Update and Beyond Seminar. This seminar is open only to previous Rigging for Rescue seminar participants. The next Update and Beyond Seminar will be held in Yosemite, California in October. Check out our website for more information.
Difficult Edge Transitions
Difficult edge transitions are among the more challenging scenarios one may encounter rope rescue. Occasionally, situations arise when a team must negotiate an abrupt edge with no high directional, and the patient condition does not allow for a vertical litter orientation. In these circumstances, a smooth operation hinges on a strong and coordinated litter attendant, strength and technique from the edge personnel, and polished command and communication. The clips below exhibit a well-executed difficult edge transition.
Creative Anchoring in Iceland
Mike has returned from his annual trip to Iceland, and has shared some great pictures including these “non-traditional” anchoring solutions. Cargo net anchor Piolet as a pre-tension front tie Rescuer as the back offset anchor in a compound 9:1 Dirt thread: this piece of webbing is fixed to a customized picket that isn’t compromised by the girth hitch
Iceland Dispatch #2: A little work, a little play, a whole lot of sun
The RfR seminar in Iceland is in full swing. Recent exercises have included some moderate slope work as well as pickoffs. And included in the rigging was a Petzl Goulotte piolet used as a pre-tension front tie – sweet! Not to worry, Mike and the guys from ICE-SAR are finding time to relax, including a boat ride to Skrúður Island, home to a massive puffin colony and an extensive cave system. The beautiful weather continues…do they even have sunscreen in Iceland?
