Pole-top access
A Ascend into the tree using spur climbing techniques until the rescuer reaches the casualty ’ s spurs . Maintain two points of attachment at all times .
B Install an additional lanyard or MRT system around the trunk above the casualty ’ s spurs . On smaller stem diameters , it may be possible to pass the working end of the climbing rope around
the stem . On larger stems , pass the working end of the rope over the casualty ’ s spurs and leave it hanging . Pay out enough slack , then spur in a circle around the stem until the casualty is reached from the other direction . Collect the working end and connect to form the climbing system .
C One by one , pass the original lanyards over the casualty ’ s spurs . Maintain two points of attachment at all times : only when the first original system has been satisfactorily re-installed
and load-tested can the second be removed .
Casualty connection and lowering systems
Having passed the casualty ’ s spurs , the rescue climber should be in reach of the top of the pole .
If necessary , and if there is sufficient space above the casualty , the same process used to pass the spurs can be used to pass the casualty ’ s climbing attachments and proceed further up the pole .
This is not recommended if a ‘ true ’ pole-top rescue must be conducted with little space above the casualty ’ s connections . If the casualty panics , or the rescuer makes a mistake , it is easy for non-choking connections such as lanyards to be flipped off the top of the pole .
Where there is little working space above the casualty , it is recommended for the rescuer to keep their lanyards below the casualty ’ s lanyards , as pictured .
The rescuer should remain on the opposite side of the trunk from the casualty and begin choking a rope or sling as high as possible on the trunk to install the initial rescue points . Please see the following pages for two alternative pole-top rescue setups .
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