Rescue requirements
• Must have a separate belay or 2 points of contact .
• Should have a lowerable system from the ground unless there is risk of limb or timber failure causing catastrophic loss of your system if impacted or unless the rescuer is advancing their anchor .
• Must load test all remote-set anchors with two staff minimum ( three preferred ) prior to leaving the ground .
• Must have 2 independent anchors within the tree .
• Should load all anchors in compression .
Tactical considerations for rescue planning
The following ‘ quick questions ’ may help to shortcut the rescue planning stage :
• Can you use an EWP ?
• Are there rescue ladder or rescue platform locations ?
• Is there a safe and secure high point ?
• Do you have the correct crew make up and skill set ? Or are there additional resources on the way ?
• Are there possible high points for throwline ( then establishment of adequate high single rope technique access + belay )
• What is the location of the worker and is there ease of access ( i . e .: is the worker stuck way out on a limb walk ? Are they suspended on a flip line or by the climber ’ s working attachment rope ? Is the angle on the rope > 45 degrees ?)
• What is the lowest risk to the operations to make safe ?
Individual vs team-based rescue
Typically , rescue teams train to respond to cliff-based or building rescues . In these environments the normal sequence of the rescue involves arriving , establishing a control and command structure , accessing , and stabilising a patient and then determining the extrication or exit path .
Traditionally , rescue agencies structure their training around the need for a team-based haul or lower extrication .
Tree worker rescue is not dissimilar ; the requirement to access is critical due to the nature of tree accidents . An accident at height may have involved dropping a large limb , tree head or rope across the worker ’ s attachment system . This may have severely compromised the climber ’ s attachment points .
The quick access of a rescuer is required to ensure that the casualty is connected appropriately and not going to fall from height . This needs to be done rapidly without consideration for the end state , the mantra being to access and stabilise the scene .
Once stabilisation or safety inspection of the casualty ’ s attachments has occurred it is preferable that team-based rescue systems are employed . Team-based systems are preferred because :
• Rescues often involve a haul or hoist of the injured person ; disassembly of their attachment equipment requires significant effort and attention .
• The patient may require manipulation around , through or away from tree structures .
• The rescuer ’ s access line may not be suitable for a two-person load or in the right location for the worker .
• The tree ’ s structure may not support two persons and the two individuals ( rescuer and casualty ) may need to be on independent anchors for safety .
• Team-based rescues can be applied easily in tree rescues and often have higher safety regimes than individual pick-off style rescues .
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