In addition , industry rescue climbers may not have practiced rescue techniques in the months or even years since their last training course . A 2007 survey of 506 tree work companies in the United States found that aerial rescue techniques were not frequently trained or practiced :
Frequency of aerial rescue training More than once a month Once a month Once every two or three months
Percent of companies
Cumulative percent of companies
0 % 0 %
5 % 5 %
0 % 5 %
Twice a year |
6.9 % |
11.9 % |
Once a year |
14.5 % |
26.4 % |
Less often |
0.4 % |
26.8 % |
than once a year |
|
|
No training |
73.2 % |
100 % |
Ball and Vosberg : Safety Training and Fatal Accidents . © 2010 International
Society of Arboriculture
The red line in the table has been added at the ‘ six-month frequency ’ mark . Vertical rescue instructors identify rescue skills as having a six-month ‘ half-life ’: every six months rescue skills deteriorate by half if they are not practiced . In the survey above , only 11.9 % of companies were practicing these techniques at a six-month frequency or more often .
Neither Australia or New Zealand have national regulatory requirements for tree industry rescue refresher training or simulated rescue practice . In the utility sector most network authorities require annual rescue refreshers for vegetation management workers to operate on their network . Most such refreshers consist of a rescue simulation using pre-installed ropes to reach a conscious casualty in an intact system a few metres from the ground , and as such are functionally irrelevant or even potentially dangerous when considered as preparation for any likely aerial rescue .
Even where industry climbers have practiced rescue techniques , there is little opportunity to prepare for the challenging emotional environment of a serious injury occurring to a workmate . Climbers with a high level of technical skill may not be able to adequately respond and may succumb to panic or decision paralysis .
Whilst the tree industry must continue to improve in this capacity , it is critical that vertical rescue teams acquire the range of basic skills and equipment that will let rescuers access and operate in the arboreal realm . This manual has been written to assist with gaining those skills .
© Arboriculture Australia 2022 - 9 -