Our Aerial Rescue training will demonstrate ways of how to support a self rescue or how to retrieve an injured climber out of the tree after an accident. The aerial rescue training will help to understand how people react in emergency situation and how to master them efficiently. Studies have shown that the better a team is prepared for the worst case scenario; the more unlikely is it to happen.
Aerial Rescue training is a core competency of all qualified arborist.
Self rescue
Here we train how climbers can set up their climbing system so that they can descend to the ground out of any given work position. This is the most important aerial rescue training. Most climbers can descend after an injury if they have set up their system in a way that allows them to descend with one hand. If climbers are using a system that does not allow for this, they are not only endangering themself but also the rescue climber.
Basic rescue
The injured climber is conscious but cannot decent on his/her own. A rescue climber ascends into the tree and assists the injured climber to the ground. If the climbing system of the injured climber is compromised, the rescue climber will use the “pick of” rescue technique and transfers the injured climber to his/her climbing system and then descends to the ground.
Complex rescue
The injured climber is unconscious and needs to be lifted before the rescue climber can descend with him/her to the ground. This technique can also be used for unconscious climbers on ladders or for pole rescues (no top anchor).
Assisted rescue
Assisted rescues are all rescue scenarios where it is necessary to have more than just one rescue climber on site. This can include speed-line rescues with one rescue climber in the tree as well as spinal injury rescues with assistance from medical personal, or even helicopter rescues. Assisted rescues are the most complex rescue scenarios and need good planning and coordination.
Resources:
Risks and Management of Prolonged Suspension in an Alpine Harness (Video) (Dr. Roger Mortimer)
Risks and Management of Prolonged Suspension in an Alpine Harness (Report) (Dr. Roger Mortimer)
Don’t leave me hanging! An overview of suspension trauma management. ( Alan Batt)
Evidence-based review of the current guidance on first aid measures for suspension trauma (HSE)
April, 2009 “Emergency Response,” ARBORIST NEWS (Mark Bridge)
Self-Rescue For Tree Climbers – How good is your self-rescue plan? (Andreas Ross)