Tree rescue manual | Page 43

Pole-top rescue

Pole-top rescue describes the process of rescuing a climber who is stuck or injured at the top of a stump with no suitable anchor point above them .

The rescuer must :

1 . Spur climb up the tree until they reach the casualty maintaining two points of attachment .

2 . Make a new life support connection above the casualty ’ s spurs .

3 . Transition one of the original two lanyards or climbing systems past the spurs .

4 . Detach the last remaining original system , and re-attach it above the casualty ’ s attachment at the top of the pole .

5 . Install a directional pulley for a groundmanaged lowering system ( butt block or ground belay ) and attach the belay line to the casualty . 6 . Install a belay system or top belay . 7 . Detach the casualty ’ s original system and lower them to the ground .

Whilst a pole-top rescue can be challenging for rescue climbers as there is little working space above the casualty to attach slings , the whole process is a collection of simple techniques .

If the casualty is unconscious or unable to assist , it may be necessary to remove their spurs to get them into the lowering system . With the spurs unbuckled , it is easy to use the spur shank ( the vertical metal component ) as a lever to get each spur out of the timber and off the casualty ’ s boot .

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