Construction and maintenance jobs are not the only times a high angle rescue or mid-height pick technique will be used. Hiking, rock climbing, and utility repair are just a few instances when a rescue team may have to prepare for a limited access rescue situation.
Assessing the Situation
When you receive the call that a person has fallen or slipped from a dangerous height, the first thing you must do is assess the situation, minimize any potential risks and start to set up the rescue operation. You need to identify any possible obstructions that will hamper the rescue effort.
These include:
Determine the Best Rescue
Depending on the height of the victim and the environment where they are located, you will have to choose the appropriate rope rescue technique for the job. If the victim is conscious, they will be able to assist your efforts. If they are unconscious, you will have to stabilize them and use a basket to raise or lower them to safety.
If you are in a position to safely lower the basket assembly to the ground. This is often the best scenario as it gives EMT/paramedics immediate access to the victim. In situations where the victim's location is not close enough to the ground, the basket may need to be raised and the victim retrieved in that manner. Assemble Your Crews and the Equipment
If a ground rescue is a viable option, crew members will have to be at the top to guide the equipment and rescue team down to the victim. Another team must be on the ground, ready to release the basket and transport the victim to a staging area where EMT and paramedics are waiting. For most rescue scenarios, you will need the following items:
f a high angle rescue is performed when there is no way to safely lower the victim, you will need to prepare a rescue pick or lift. It's important to remember that if the victim was using any type of rigging system, such as a cable and winch, you will need to find out if it is still operational. If so, using it will enable you to lift the victim back to safety without removing any of their equipment. If their equipment is damaged in any way, avoid using it and perform a full rescue operation using your own equipment. If a victim has fallen and has no equipment to speak of you will have to use your own. Using a basket is acceptable, even if the victim is conscious and able to help. In this case, stabilizing them in a basket set up may be beneficial and avoid further injury.
High angle rescues involve moderate to high risks, especially if the victim needs to be lifted back to the original point of descent. It's important to re-check the stability of your system throughout the rescue process to ensure that everything remains secure and continues to function efficiently. For more in-depth training when it comes to rope rescues, contact either AHSRescue.com or Ropes That Rescue today for rescue classes and workshops all over the U.S.!
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