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.
Good times with the slow pull machine
In November of last year, the Rescue Program Coordinator from Rocky Mountain Fire visited us in Ouray with an interesting question: can wildland firefighters use their fire hose as anchor material in an improvised rescue scenario? The following videos show two pulls that we did on a .75″ forestry hose (commonly referred to as a “garden hose”) and a 1.5″ single jacket forestry hose; both samples were heavily used prior to testing. The .75″ hose was configured as a wrap two pull two with a ring bend, and broke mid-strand at 6.83 kN. The 1.5″ hose was configured as a single strand anchored at each end with an overhand knot, and broke mid-strand at 18.93 kN. Both of these are considered “quick look” tests and are far from comprehensive. Nonetheless, it’s fun to see things break.
New Course Offering: Self Rescue and Small Team Response Workshop
Climbers, guides, mountain rescue practitioners, and military personnel are who we had in mind in crafting the Self Rescue and Small Team Response 5-day workshop. The workshop will focus exclusively on personal and self rescue ropework techniques as well as some improvised small team approaches to realistic rope rescue challenges.
Springtime in the Valley…
Rigging for Rescue offers two open enrollment seminars each Spring in California’s Yosemite Valley. The March 31-April 6 seminar already has a waiting list, but there are spots still remaining in the March 3-9 offering. More information about seminars in the Valley can be found on our website here: http://dev.riggingforrescue.com/yosemite2.html
Today at Rigging for Rescue…
Day four of the Waterfall Ice Rescue Workshop featured a multi-pitch lower in the Skylight climbing area. Kevin took some photos of the operation from the top of the second pitch. Enjoy! Troy Couture leading pitch 1 Mike Kingsbury topping out on pitch 2 Moving the load down the upper pitch After the station transition, moving the package down the lower pitch
Yosemite Update and Beyond
Rigging for Rescue held an open enrollment Update and Beyond seminar in Yosemite Valley in October. It was great to see old friends and train in such an inspiring setting. Below are some photos from a packed week.
