MRT climbing systems
The recommended way of advancing within a tree ’ s structure is the utilisation of a Moving Rope Technique ( MRT ) system . Arborist MRT systems have been introduced in Chapter 1.1.4 of this document . In an MRT system , the climbing rope is thrown over an anchor and is secured back to the climber forming a loop . An adjustor such as a personal belay device is attached to the climber and set on the standing part of the rope to control the size of the loop above the climber .
Whilst tree climbers have many advanced MRT devices for mobility in trees , rescue services do not have access to the same equipment .
Rescue MRT systems should consist of :
11mm rope of suitable length for the task ( 50m ). Remember that MRT systems require 2 x the length of rope for the required height .
A scaffold knot and triple-locking karabiner as a termination to secure to the harness .
A self-belay device such as Petzl ID or CT Sparrow 200R that is set on the standing part of the rope and secured to the central attachment point of the rescuer ’ s harness .
As stated previously , the MRT system should be configured and checked on the ground , then carried with the rescuer (‘ dragged up ’) during the ascent of the initial access lines . This will enable rapid access to the canopy in a safe and simple manner .
MRT is introduced in this section purely for access or for advancing through the tree to obtain a suitable anchor point before conducting rescue . Rescues should be conducted using familiar VR techniques on SRT systems .
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