Not quite Donny and Marie (thankfully), but a here are a couple of links and videos; one from a rescue in Yosemite (thanks to MtnRsq on firehouse.com for pointing this one out) and the other, a video of some rope training in Madison, WI.
A Little Bit Country:
First, here is a picture from a recent rescue off of El Cap in Yosemite. There are links below the picture with the rest of the shots taken from that rescue. It was 1200′ from the top of the cliff to the victim and another 2000′ down to the ground after that. There is also a link to a helicopter based rescue from September of last year as well.
While both rescues were from similar locations, the more recent rescue was conducted from the top of El Cap, while last years rescue was helicopter based. Of interest to me in the helicopter based rescue was how the rescuers used a throw bag to the victims and pulled themselves into the wall. It’s a neat technique that doesn’t cross the brain of this urban rope guy that much.
http://www.elcapreport.com/content/elcap-special-report-rescue-elcap-53012
http://www.elcapreport.com/content/special-edition-elcap-rescue-92611
A Little Bit Rock and Roll
Is Madison, WI really rock and roll? Enough to help make a catchy title for this post I say!
The link to the short video shows some recent rope training from the Madison, WI Fire Dept. The Batt. Chief giving the interview does a pretty good job of explaining the progression of technical rescue disciplines and how they all have their roots in rope work. Nothing crazy in the video, just some rappeling on racks and tandem prussik work.
Given that it is just a simple rappel option, what are your thoughts on weather self belaying, a la Rope Access, is a worthwhile idea? I think that it would simplify and speed up the operation, particularly if there are a limited number of people on hand.