Rigging for Rescue 3 day workshop Acadia NP May 20-22

This past weekend, I had a wonderful opportunity to study and train with some of the best rope rescue personnel in the state of Maine. The 3-day workshop, hosted by Mt. Desert Island Search & Rescue (MDISAR), was put on by Rigging for Rescue, a technical rope rescue training company out of Ouray, Colorado. Every technical rope rescue team in the State of Maine was represented at this workshop. According to instructors, Mike Gibbs of Ouray and Leo Loyd of Durango, who train with teams all over the world, this kind of statewide cross-training opportunity is very uncommon but essential. 

Although I have done my share of rope rescue training over the years, I quickly learned that I was the only person in the room that did not have technical rock or ice climbing experience! Being the least experienced workshop participant was actually a great position for me to be in. As a public school teacher, it is very valuable to experience ‘not getting it.’ It helps inform my teaching and makes me more in-tune with the students in my classes who are in the same place. Mike, Leo and the members of the class were very supportive with my questions and quest to understand.

Participants agreed that this kind of cross-training event was a great way to share information, team build, network, and practice common techniques. One thing that I heard many times during the weekend was that many teams have adopted the text: Technical Rescue Riggers Guide, 2nd Edition by Rick Lipke as their un-official rope rescue standard. I borrowed a copy from Mike at BSP, and found it to be very helpful and comprehensive.


-Steve Mitman FSAR

Some of the systems and concepts we worked with over the 3 days:

• Simple, compound and complex mechanical advantage systems
• Parallel Plaquette main lowering system
• Tandem prusik belay system
• Prucel prusik use
• Rock anchoring techniques
• Edge management and protection
• Verticle litter edge bridal
• Litter patient securing techniques
• Common rope rescue voice commands 
• Scene size-up
• T-Method (I still don’t get it!)
• Scarab rescue friction device
• And much more

 Click on the image for a larger version. If your image is posted below and you would rather not be, please drop me a quick email and I'll remove it. smitman@tds.net

Participants were from the following teams and organizations:

Lincoln SAR

Mahoosic SAR

Franklin SAR

MDISAR

National Park Service

Unity SAR

Camden

Wilderness SAR

Baxter State Park

Many Thanks to Steve H. at MDISAR for his hard work in organizing this great training.

Smalls Falls

Rope Rescue Training

Sponsored by: Northstar Back Country Rescue

Sunday June 5

9 a.m.-3 p.m.

This is a hands-on, on-rope training taught by talented teachers:  DK, Mike and Al.

Harvey King WSAR 1941-2011

 Harvey King of Waldo SAR at the SERE training near Rangeley in 2010.

May 12, 2011

From MASAR President, Deb Palman:

I am sad to report the loss of Harvey King, a member of Waldo County (SAR) and a hard worker for SAR in Maine. 

Last night around 10 pm, Jay Holweger from Waldo SAR and MESARD called me to report that Harvey King had gone turkey hunting and was missing.  Someone had just located his car and Waldo SAR was forming up at the Searsmont Fire Department.  Wardens had just arrived on scene. 

Shortly afterward, Sgt. John Blagdon called me to page out MESARD to join the search.  I had just got that done when Sgt. Blagdon called back to say that Harvey’s body had been found.

Harvey apparently was turkey hunting, had shot a turkey and collapsed while carrying the turkey back to the car.  He passed away doing something he loved.

MASAR extends its condolences to Harvey’s immediate family and extended SAR family at Waldo SAR and MASAR.  We will miss him.

Deborah S. Palman

President MASAR

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Visiting hours for Harvey King will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 15 at Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home at 182 Waldo Ave. in Belfast. A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, May 16, at Belfast Area High School. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com.

 News articles about Harvey:

http://new.bangordailynews.com/2011/05/12/news/longtime-belfast-teacher-found-dead-near-home/

http://waldo.villagesoup.com/news/story/retired-veteran-teacher-found-dead-in-searsmont/398558

Monthly Meeting Wednesday, May 11, 6:30 p.m. Kingfield Fire Department

Franklin Search & Rescue

Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, May 11

6:30 p.m. Kingfield Fire Department

We have a number of things to discuss, see and do at this month’s FSAR meeting including sharing information about the MASAR Spring Event, Lifeflight training, and do a debrief of the recent Smithfield, Maine Search.

Deven is back from Alaska and he will share some of the training he is doing in school there.  

Gear to share: Headlamps Bring your favorite(s) to share with the team, what do you like about it and why?

We will also do some parking lot training with the new litter wheel.

All interested people are welcome to attend.

http://franklinsar.blogspot.com/

Smithfield Search For Missing Man May 3, 2011

9 FSAR members met at the Smithfield FD at 7:30 to participate in a hasty-team search this morning for a missing 87 y.o. man.

At 1:44 p.m. MASAR sent out a text saying the "Search in Smithfield Concluded. Subject Located"

Thanks to all FSAR members who were able to re-arrange your schedules on short notice, we had a great turn-out.

Information in the press about the search:

http://www.wgme.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wgme_vid_7708.shtml?sms_ss=gmail&at_xt=4dc1ddc37ede6ce7%2C0

http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/smithfield-man-found-dead-after-daylong-search_2011-05-03.html