From the Archive...

A demonstration drop test of the British Columbia Council on Technical Rescue Belay Competence Drop Test Method 1 meter drop on 3 meters of 11 millimeter low stretch rope with a 200kg test mass.  The belay device is a mechanical rope grab: the Gibbs ascender.

Denali Climbing Rangers and 212th RQS

Another great training with Denali NP and the 212th Rescue Squadron.  This year's training took place out of the Serenity Falls Hut in Chugach State Park.

Difficult Edge Transitions

Difficult edge transitions are among the more challenging scenarios one may encounter rope rescue.  Occasionally, situations arise when a team must negotiate an abrupt edge with no high directional, and the patient condition does not allow for a vertical litter orientation.  In these circumstances, a smooth operation hinges on a strong and coordinated litter attendant, strength and technique from the edge personnel, and polished command and communication.

The clips below exhibit a well-executed difficult edge transition.

Creative Anchoring in Iceland

Mike has returned from his annual trip to Iceland, and has shared some great pictures including these "non-traditional" anchoring solutions. 

 

Cargo net anchor

 

Piolet as a pre-tension front tie

 

Rescuer as the back offset anchor in a compound 9:1

 

Dirt thread: this piece of webbing is fixed to a customized picket that isn't compromised by the girth hitch

Good times with the slow pull machine

In November of last year, the Rescue Program Coordinator from Rocky Mountain Fire visited us in Ouray with an interesting question: can wildland firefighters use their fire hose as anchor material in an improvised rescue scenario?

The following videos show two pulls that we did on a .75" forestry hose (commonly referred to as a "garden hose") and a 1.5" single jacket forestry hose; both samples were heavily used prior to testing.

The .75" hose was configured as a wrap two pull two with a ring bend, and broke mid-strand at 6.83 kN.

The 1.5" hose was configured as a single strand anchored at each end with an overhand knot, and broke mid-strand at 18.93 kN.

Both of these are considered "quick look" tests and are far from comprehensive. Nonetheless, it's fun to see things break.

New Course Offering: Self Rescue and Small Team Response Workshop

Climbers, guides, mountain rescue practitioners, and military personnel are who we had in mind in crafting the Self Rescue and Small Team Response 5-day workshop.  The workshop will focus exclusively on personal and self rescue ropework techniques as well as some improvised small team approaches to realistic rope rescue challenges.

Springtime in the Valley...

Rigging for Rescue offers two open enrollment seminars each Spring in California's Yosemite Valley.  The March 31-April 6 seminar already has a waiting list, but there are spots still remaining in the March 3-9 offering.  More information about seminars in the Valley can be found on our website here: http://www.riggingforrescue.com/yosemite2.html

 

Today at Rigging for Rescue...

Day four of the Waterfall Ice Rescue Workshop featured a multi-pitch lower in the Skylight climbing area.  Kevin took some photos of the operation from the top of the second pitch. Enjoy!

Troy Couture leading pitch 1

Mike Kingsbury topping out on pitch 2

Moving the load down the upper pitch

After the station transition, moving the package down the lower pitch

Horsetail Mission

Members of the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team including three Rigging for Rescue employees recently responded to Horsetail Falls in the backcountry outside of Ouray  to assist an injured ice climber.  The team chose to use a Guiding Line aerial ropeway system to evacuate the injured party.

Ice Workshop 2012

This year's ice workshop will run from January 15-20 in Ouray, Colorado.  More information about this offering is available on the Rigging for Rescue website here: http://www.riggingforrescue.com/WI.html .

Here are some photos from previous Ice Workshops:





Rigging for Rescue also conducts ice workshops on a contract basis.  Contact the RfR office for pricing and scheduling.