I am reminded of the toxins that accumulate in the extremities of a dangeling victim suspended in a harness. I have read that it is best to get the victim down to prevent further injury from additional falls, etc; but I've also been warned to not allow the victim to rest on the ground if there has been any time delay between the incident and the rescue. I've heard of cavers who died on reaching the ground from toxins in the blood being released into the system after being suspended lame in the saddle for less than an hour.

I guess that there is more to rescue than FA and being able to get the guy to the ground.

Idealy a medic would be availible at every climb. My theory is that the best offence is a god deefense... make sure you know what you are doing and always pay attention, thus minimizing your chances of getting hurt.

Are there any professional rescue standards for tree climbing?

TO,

None that I have ever seen in the US.

Suspension shock/trauma is a very real thing to be aware of:

http://www.rescueresponse.com/html/news11-01/training.html


http://www.ropesafety.com/site/technique/harness_suspension.htm


http://www.cancaver.ca/int/mexico/zotz/harness-death.htm


Tom

"...we have 10 to 20 minutes people. After that ...we have a body recovery."

That from the last article Tom D. posted. If you had any question whether what we do can be dangereous there is your proof.

Everyone should consider every scenario and determine how you would help another climber in an emergency, and what methods you would use to help yourself in the case of an emergency. If you have thought it out it should be easier to act when an accident actualy occurs, God forbid.

Climb Safe!

I think by reading these entries about rescue it would be appropriate to inquire into forming an aerial rescue association that looks in depth into rescue situations, given that one only has up to 20 minutes to bring an injured climber down and there does not exist a more formal body of rescue standards available to climbers.

This association should not only consider different situations but should meet at least annually to practice and experiment with rescue techniques. It is one thing to intellectually discuss a traumatic event of bringing an injured climber down and quite another thing to actually practice the skills needed.

TCI has a Rescue Randy (used in training fire rescue) that can be used for practice. He is rigid plastic and weighs 145 pounds with articulated joints to mimic what a human would feel like while unconscious. We have our tree climbing school in Atlanta to work these different rescue scenarios. In the past TCI has required rescue training to all facilitators and instructors. But I am also aware of the possibility of developing a much greater body of rescue practices taken from the pool of tree climbers worldwide.

I think it is time to set solid standards in treetop rescue. Some day tree climbing will be a mainstream activity and now is a good time to get things ready. Rescue standards will also go a long way in legitimizing our recreational tree climbing interests. The main reason rock climbing was outlawed in national parks in the 50’s and 60’s was the lack of rescue skills from park personnel. Trees are very specific in rescue techniques. Even a highly trained fire and rescue unit here in Atlanta took 3 hours to bring down an injured/dead professional climber last year.

If you want to be a part of this association and are willing to contribute to creating a body of standards, please send me a u2u message with contact information. I will start a new category dealing with rescue issues. Again, the association should meet at least once a year for field practice. Certification will follow once more comprehensive standards are in place.

Please do not be shy if you have any ideas and suggestions on what can be done to get solid standards in place. This will constitute an ongoing process of experimentation (Rescue Randy or other dummies please!) sharing, and discovery.

Up until this point TCI has never had to use rescue skills on an unconscious climber. The only rescues we have had to deal with have been harness position problems (buttstrap ride up), hair caught in knot, jammed knots, and frozen panicked climbers. All of this over a 20 year period of time. I pray our rescue problems stay as simple as these.