4-Day Rigging for Rescue Rope Rescue Workshop on MDI

Photos and story by FSAR Pat

On October 19^th through the 22^nd Pat, John, Shannon, and Paul attended Rigging for Rescue (RFR) training on Mt. Desert Island.

The 22 students that participated in the training included members of various MASAR teams throughout the state as well as Acadia National Park rangers. 

Rigging for Rescue is a company out of Ouray Colorado which offers technical ropework seminars that focus on applying critical thinking and systems analysis skill required to competently incorporate ropework and rigging into effective rescue systems.  The 4 day course was conducted by Mike Gibbs, RFR founder, and Leo Lloyd, instructor. 

Each day began with classroom training held at the Seal Harbor Fire Department.  Practical training was held at various amazing sites overlooking the Atlantic Ocean!  

Some of the topics and techniques we covered included:

• Safety factors and rescue safety systems
• Anchor points and systems
• Command and Communication
• Systems analysis and scene size up
• Simple, compound, and complex pulley systems
• Parallel plaquettes
• Radium release hitches
• Rescue belays and hauls
• Pick off’s lowering with a self-belay
• Horizontal and vertical Stretcher techniques on raises and lowers

Many thanks to Steve Hudson of Mount Desert Island SAR for organizing the event, along with Davin and the fellow MDISAR team members for their help with equipment, home baked goodies, and driving directions around the Island!

We also wish to thank the 'Friends of Baxter' organization, the Savoy Foundation and FSAR, for their generous support which helped offset much of the cost of this very productive and informative workshop.