Training
Picket Anchor System, Rope Rescue
Picket Anchor Systems
Pickets are typically made of 1″ diameter rolled steel that is 4′ long.
The pickets should be driven 2′-3′ into the soil (2′ in stable soil and up to 3′ in unstable soil) at a 15 degree angle away from the planned load.
When connecting the pickets, use a 20′ piece of webbing or 1/2″ utility rope. Connect the base of the read picket with a clove hitch and wrap the webbing or rope to the top of the forward picket up to 6 times (finish with another clove hitch). Use a piece of wood or rebar or another picket inserted between the wrap to twist the pickets. Tension until the forward picket starts to move, then back off one half turn and drive stake into the ground.
Large Animal Rescue
Many departments may believe that their response areas are not rural so a Large Animal Rescue (LAR) call may never happen. However, large animals are transported throughout the country in urban, suburban, and rural areas. This doesn’t mean that every department needs to run out purchase all the LAR equipment and send all their personnel tech training. It means you should have an awareness level of large animals, the trailers they are transported in, and the equipment used in LAR.
Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue (TLAER TM)
Below is the mission statement of the Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue:
TLAER, Inc. works to provide education and outreach nationwide and internationally for emergency responders (whether local, state or organizational) in safer and more efficient ways to prevent prepare and respond to large animal incidents on our highways, communities and facilities, based on cutting-edge research and development.
TLAER courses are offered at the Awareness level (interested personnel from all organizations and response levels,) Operations level (hands-on, intense training events with live horses intended for live responders,) and Technician level (for USAR teams only.)
Rescue Systems
- Becker Sling
- The glide mat system
Resources
- Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue (Website)
- Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue (Facebook Page)
- Understanding the Horse Trailer Rig
- Häst Large Animal Rescue Equipment
LAR News Articles
HydraFusion Strut Ram
The HydraFusion Struts were a game changer when PARATECH released the lifting/stabilizing device a few years back at FDIC. Rescuers can lift up to 10 U.S. Tons (9 metric tons) and to stabilize up to 20,000 lbs. with the tool. However, PARATECH’s HydraFusion Struts are not limited to just those two functions. The HydraFusion Struts can move metal!
I first ran across pictures of HydraFusion Struts used as ram from pictures that Brock Archer (Advanced Extrication) and Randy Schmitz ( Founder/Owner of Schmitz Mittz). Last weekend at Crunchtime Extrication, Paratech had one of their trailers at the training event and I had the chance to try a dash roll with a HydraFusion Strut. Take a look at the video below.
A few quick points:
- You can put the HydraFusion Strut in place to reduce any dash movement during reliefs cuts.
- HydraFusion Strut are portable and can be moved quickly to a vehicle hundreds of feet of the roadway.
- Depending on the length of the HydraFusion Strut used, strut extensions can be used to optimize dash movement.
- Using a HydraFusion Strut as a ram is an option, not always the option.
Rope Rescue
Hunter/Tree Climber Rescue
Hunting season is right around the corner in most parts of the United States. Have you trained on rescuing a stranded hunter hanging in their harness after a fall?
Tree Climber Rescue
Checkout the two videos below with some great game plans and tips on rescuing someone out of a tree or hanging in a harness after falling out of a hunting blind.
Harness Induced Pathology is a silent killer in High Angle Rope Rescue, it can also be known as Harness hanging syndrome, Suspension Trauma, Suspension Induced Shock, and Etc.
Skeletal-muscle pump
Did you know that your muscle help pump the blood thru your body? The skeletal-muscle pump is a collection of skeletal muscles that aid the heart in the circulation of blood. It is especially important in increasing venous return to the heart, but may also play a role in arterial blood flow.
Reference material:
- Here is a link to a great article called Suspension trauma on the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s website.
- While the post, Best Safety’s Chip Macdonald reviews the CMC / ROCO FreeTech™ Harness is an advertisement/product review. Chip put a great deal of useful information in it worth a read.
Below is a PowerPoint on the effects of falling.
