When we created Rigging Lab Academy, we had a few things in mind before we stepped foot into the world if online video training for rope rescue and rigging athletes.  Five of them are listed here.

1) Our brain craves EASE & ORDER

It will always choose the easy route. It hates complexity. It will automatically seek out shortcuts. People want an EASY experience, more than anything. Unfortunately, much of our society won’t let that happen.

Rigging and Gear Implication: Eliminate the unnecessary so the necessary can work even better. Don’t overwhelm. Simplify everything.

2) We have a very limited ATTENTION SPAN

Did you know our attention spans is roughly eight seconds now?  To many options are a hindrance to many of us. If we’re presented with too many choices, we end up choosing nothing or reducing the outcome to “less”.

Rigging and Gear Implication: Thin out the rigging systems that are old, worn out or require to many people.  Remove gear that no longer makes sense or doesn’t have multiple uses. Make choices clear and easy to understand. Always align the rigging and rescue techniques with the intended goal and the goal must be understood and agreed upon.

3) We are VISUAL

90% of what we learn is visual. We learn by seeing. Images over words!  We scan now… reading takes to long. Motor memory is huge, so whether improvisations with anchor systems, raise and lower changeovers or understanding mechanical advantage system progression… visualizing prior to motor skills improves the outcome greatly.

Rigging and Gear Implication: “Show” rather than “tell.” Video training built into learning a new belay device or pick-off technique is always better.

4) We respond to EMOTION

The brain remembers events triggered by emotion. We remember first impressions, because 90% of the decisions we make are driven by emotion (in our subconscious). Want your team to remember you are teaching them?.. making things exciting.  Learning rappelling is always more exciting at the cliff than indoors.  Creating an entire team based 5th class litter scenario using a 2 tension rope system will always be more memorable on location than stuck indoors…

Rigging and Gear  Implication: Making sure people are connected to the goals and vision is crucial. Never “sell” your vision without a story.  Give them something to believe in. Remember, at best 30% of your technical rescue team is vested into the process… the rest are along for the ride for other reasons.  To get them onboard, they need to believe in what you are asking them to do.

5) We are attracted to BEAUTY

We are visceral creatures and  visually pleasing outcomes are better than not. Make a photo opportunity for every rigging and rope rescue scenario you build. Good design is the first rule of success. Significance is built into the design.  Design matters way more than you’d think. There is a reason why Petzl, Black Diamond and others are so socially attractive… their products match the goal of aesthetically pleasing systems start from aesthetically pleasing product which began at the design phase.

Rigging and Gear Implication: Consider the Petzl I’d and Petzl GriGri. The I’d is the industrial version of the GriGri  The design revolutionized first lowering, then revolutionized raise and lower systems.  Why?;  the design was exceptional.  So much so that transitions and changeovers are now “no brainers”.  The hold-down is the friction gain in the raise, but that is mis-use of the intended purpose… Yet even with this, a Petzl I’d for both MA and MdA (disadvantage) is an common as the rescue rope being used in the system  NOTE… watch.  I believe someone (Petzl or otherwise) will fix this Kirk Mauthner / BaseCamp Innovations  has changed much of the “first world” rigging operations because he continues to life and a process of innovation.

Rigging and Rescue Training and Equipment should be…

 

Peace on your days

Lance

 

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