ITRS 2019
We just returned from the annual International Technical Rescue Symposium (ITRS) held in Albuquerque, NM. Rigging for Rescue has been attending and presenting at this event since its infancy in 1986 (NATRS at that time). The symposium is a gathering of around 170 attendees to discuss, dissect, and debate all things rescue-related. Having personally attended every ITRS save for one over the past 18 years, I left the 2019 version feeling like it was the best I had witnessed for the past decade. There were many excellent presentations over a broad mix of topics. It was inspiring to see how much effort others are putting into both critical thinking and testing to better our collective understanding of the systems we tie into on a daily basis. Rigging for Rescue principals Mike Gibbs and Kevin Koprek both presented: VT Prusiks for Rescue Belays (Gibbs) Human Factor Considerations: Rope Systems and Device Selection (Koprek) The new research on the VT Prusik has been an ongoing project of Rigging for Rescue’s dating back to our initial testing on that device presented to ITRS in 2014. The ITRS 2019 research paper, abstract, and video clips are now viewable on our website at: https://staging4.riggingforrescue.com/vt-prusik-rescue-belays/
Summer wrap-up
The summer RfR season proved to be a whirlwind. We traveled near and far working with a variety of rescue teams from very different backgrounds and mission profiles. Continued areas of participant interest included: pros and cons of Two Tensioned systems and how/when/why to apply them effectively use of the VT Prusik in rescue systems as both a rope grab and a fall arrest device optimization of the overall team and managing human factors Rigging for Rescue principals Kevin Koprek and Mike Gibbs are slated to present new information to the rescue community on the above topics at the upcoming International Technical Rescue Symposium to be held in Albuquerque, NM in early November. For several years now, we have been conducting drop tests incorporating live device operators. These tests have included a variety of devices, systems, and rope tensioning approaches including the VT Prusik, ATCs & Scarabs with Prusik backups, and the MPD. We look forward to sharing the results.
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
ITRS 2011
Earlier this month representatives from Rigging for Rescue once again attended the International Technical Rescue Symposium in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Every year ITRS brings together members of the rescue community to discuss the state of the art of technical rescue. This event is always a worthwhile experience – a great opportunity to share ideas and visit with friends. Included in this year’s program was a report from Matt Stark from YOSAR. Matt shared the findings from an ongoing evaluation of the Yosemite Helicopter Rappel Program, which included a study conducted in conjunction with Rigging for Rescue. The RfR report can be found here. Next year’s ITRS will be held in Seattle, Washington from November 1-4. We hope to see you there!
