Branch-end rescues
A particularly challenging rescue scenario occurs where the casualty is toward the end of a branch with a poor rope angle and no suitable redirect in the tree structure above them .
There is a high risk to the rescuer as the rescue must be conducted at a poor rope angle whilst minimising the force applied to the branch .
Three different systems are presented below to respond to this scenario . All three systems require that the branch where the casualty is situated retains sufficient integrity to be loaded as a redirect for the main or belay lines to control the casualty ’ s movement . The same
systems can be used to achieve lateral movement of the casualty in other situations , for example where the casualty must be moved to a better lowering route or away from a hazard .
Working on damaged or slender branches that will not sustain redirect forces , or reaching and managing a casualty at very poor rope angles , requires a high level of arborist climbing experience and is beyond the scope of this manual .
Please see bracing a branch for a technique that may assist when trying to access a casualty on a compromised branch .
Where the casualty is situated on a branch that is of sufficient strength to be used as a redirect , and there is a clear exit path below the casualty , the preferred approach is redirect the main and belay lines and lower the casualty vertically downwards .
Either an artificial redirect such as a pulley can be used , or the main and belay lines can be redirected through a suitable branch union .
Ensure that the tree ’ s structure is suitable for the force applied to both the redirect and the primary anchor point through the full range of planned motion during extraction of the casualty .
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