Before any rope zealot goes over the edge, before even the first anchor is set, the most important step of any rigging job must be taken: The scene size up, or job hazard analysis, depending on your industry. Much has been written and recited regarding the art of the size…

As Torrey and I travel around the country filming and managing a very large amount of footage, it has become very apparent to me that one product has become, what I would call… an “emerging product”.  While in days past, the AZTEK was (and still is to some degree) the…

The VERTEX helmet is very comfortable, thanks to its six-point textile suspension and CENTERFIT and FLIP&FIT systems, which guarantee that the helmet fits securely on the head. The adjustable-strength chinstrap makes it ideal for both work at height and on the ground. The unventilated outer shell protects against electrical hazards,…

We have a lot of members and non-members alike asking about aerial ladder work and whether or not we have ever done any sort of course or mini-rigging study on them.  This is obviously a huge undertaking and one we’d love to do and plan on doing it.  However, in…

I’ll admit it.  I’m guilty. I’ve done it.  Nope, I’m not talking about stepping on the rope, using dropped carabiners, or mistakenly peeing on my belay loop… c’mon winter layers can be a challenge!  Nope, I’m talking about what I’ll call “carabiner shaming.” Like many, I used to pick apart…

I want to pull back a bit a bring into focus what we do and why we do it.  Having spent some time with our county SAR team and one of its technical team members, I grappled with a particular question… especially near the end of my time with the…