Artificial High Directional AHD Archives

mastering rope rescue anchor and the rigging

Geometric and Mechanical Force Vectors in Complex Rescue Rigging Systems

Lance Piatt / Anchoring, Anchors, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Designing Your Processes, Elevated Anchor Systems

Geometric and Mechanical Force Vectors in Complex Rescue Rigging Systems Executive Summary In technical rope rescue, anchor systems function as engineered structures rather than ad-hoc attachment points. Their performance is governed by geometric force vectors, mechanical leverage, material capacity, and environmental degradation. This report establishes a disciplined engineering framework for evaluating anchor integrity, analyzing force […]

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6 Counter-Intuitive Principles for Understanding How Systems Really Behave

Lance Piatt / Anchoring, Anchors, Artificial High Directional AHD, Designing Your Processes, Education, Elevated Anchor Systems, Principles of Learning

6 Counter-Intuitive Principles for Understanding How Systems Really Behave We often judge systems by how they look. At work, in engineering, or in our daily lives, we see designs that are symmetrical, robust, or built according to “how it’s always been done” and assume they are sound. This reliance on appearance and tradition feels intuitive,

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Horizontal Rope Rescue Systems and Highline Movement Techniques

Physics of Horizontal Rope Rescue Systems

Lance Piatt / Anchoring, Anchors, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Dynamic Directional, Highline Rigging, Horizontal Rigging, Mainline Systems and Operations, Twin Tension Rope System

Physics of Horizontal Rope Rescue Systems Why sideways movement is the real test of a rigger’s mind. Vertical rope work is the entry exam. Gravity defines the path, the system behaves predictably, and most mistakes are recoverable. But move a rescue load sideways—even fifty feet across a gap or diagonally off a tower—and everything changes.

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Balancing Online and Hands-On Training -Knots for Force Multiplication in Rope Rescue - Steep Highline Calculations and Rigging Techniques

High Tension Highline Rigging Mastery for Technical Rope Rescue

Lance Piatt / Anchors, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Designing Your Processes, Mainline Systems and Operations, Principles of Learning, Technical Learning, Twin Tension Rope System

The ability to span a canyon, river, industrial void, or structural gap is one of the most demanding skills in advanced rope rescue. While offsets, tracklines, and guided systems are essential tools, the true test of technician-level capability is the high-tension highline. Unlike everyday rigging, high-tension systems do not forgive misunderstandings in geometry or guesswork

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Rope rescue training for veterans covers leadership, mechanical advantage, and advanced rigging skills and Hidden treasures in team leadership

Advanced Rigging Principles for Technical Rope Rescue

Lance Piatt / Anchors, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Elevated Anchor Systems, Horizontal Rigging, Mechanical Advantage, Principles of Learning, Technical Learning, Two Tensioned Rope Rescue Systems

Modern rope rescue has outgrown the era of “strong gear plus strong backs.” At the advanced level, operations are built on system engineering, controlled redundancy, and a clear understanding of how forces, geometry, and human factors interact in real time. The Technical Operational Rigging Study Guide you started with is more than an exam—it is

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When to Choose an Offset Instead of a Highline in Rope Rescue

Lance Piatt / Arizona Vortex, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Offset Track Line

When to Choose an Offset Instead of a Highline in Rope Rescue – One of the most common choices in rope rescue is deciding between a highline and an offset system. Both can move a patient or load across complex terrain, but they solve the problem in very different ways. A highline acts like a

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Building the Minimal Mechanical Advantage Kit

Building a Minimal Mechanical Advantage Kit with the 20–80 Rule

Lance Piatt / Artificial High Directional AHD, AZTEK ELITE, Blog, Mechanical Advantage

The 20–80 Rule in Action: Building the Minimal Mechanical Advantage Kit In rope rescue, complexity can be your enemy. Too many devices, too much gear, and too many choices under stress can slow a team down and increase risk. That’s where the 20–80 Rule comes in: with about 20% of the gear, you can accomplish

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Rope Rescue Math and Aerial Ladder Torque Management

Lance Piatt / Anchoring, Anchors, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog

Rope Rescue Math and Aerial Ladder Torque Management In rope rescue, a high-directional such as an aerial ladder can be an invaluable elevated anchor—if it’s rigged correctly. The forces at play are not intuitive, and relying on firefighting ratings or guesswork can lead to dangerously overloaded systems.This guide explains the math behind high-directional loading, how

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Rope Rescue Math – Understanding High-Directional Forces

Rope Rescue Math Guide to High Directional Forces

Lance Piatt / Arizona Vortex, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog

Rope Rescue Math – Understanding High-Directional Forces In rope rescue, knowing the numbers can be the difference between a safe system and one that’s on the edge of failure. When working with high-directionals—such as aerial ladders, tripods, or A-frames—forces don’t just act straight down; they spread out along multiple paths. The diagrams you’ve seen are

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Floating the Litter Uphill with a Dual Tension Tracking Line System

Lance Piatt / Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Twin Tension Rope System, Two Rope Offsets

Floating the Litter Uphill with a Dual Tension Tracking Line System In high-angle terrain where a manual carry is dangerous or impossible, rescuers often rely on rope systems that elevate, stabilize, and precisely control patient movement. One such system—a dual-tensioned tracking line anchored to a Vortex frame and gin pole—offers the perfect solution for floating

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Force Angle Verification and System Readiness in Gin Pole Rigging

Lance Piatt / Anchors, Arizona Vortex, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog

Force Angle Verification and System Readiness in Gin Pole Rigging. Before committing any load—especially a human subject—to a directional or monopod system, the rig must pass a structural readiness check. This means more than simply tightening ropes or locking pins. It’s about confirming that every mechanical and geometric component is functioning within allowable thresholds. Failure

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Sideways A-Frame with Winch Load Control and Guying Strategy

Lance Piatt / Arizona Vortex, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog

Sideways A-Frame with Winch Load Control and Guying Strategy When rigging a sideways A-frame for load movement, especially with a winch mounted to the rear leg, the entire structure behaves more like a torquing monopod than a traditional tripod or A-frame. The applied force pushes downward through the head, but the system’s tendency to rotate

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Directional Frame Setup and Guying Angles in Rescue Rigging

Lance Piatt / Anchoring, Anchors, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog

Directional Frame Setup and Guying Angles in Rescue Rigging When deploying directional frames in rope rescue, especially A-frame or gin pole setups, small adjustments in angles can make the difference between a reliable system and one on the edge of collapse. Proper guying—both front and back—is not just about holding the frame upright. It’s about

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Clarity Over Complexity in High-Level Rigging

Lance Piatt / Anchors, Artificial High Directional AHD, Designing Your Processes

Clarity Over Complexity in High-Level Rigging In complex rope rescue situations, more gear doesn’t always mean more safety. The High‑Level Rigging philosophy argues that clarity—not complexity—is what holds systems together under stress. By focusing on clear vector logic, role definition, and predictable responses, rescuers can build advanced rigs that don’t confuse—they communicate. 1. Observation: Complexity

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dynamic hauling systems a-frame and monopod

Dynamic Directional Hauling with A-Frame and Monopod Systems

Lance Piatt / Arizona Vortex, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Elevated Anchor Systems, Horizontal Rigging

Dynamic Directional Hauling with A-Frame and Monopod Systems When a Straight Haul Isn’t Possible Some rescue environments—like confined spaces, vaults, or utility holes—don’t allow for a direct vertical haul. You may have obstacles, limited space, or poor anchor positioning. To solve this, rescuers use dynamic directional hauling, which means redirecting the rope path using multiple

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Dynamic Hauling with A-Frames and Monopods in Confined Space Rescue

Lance Piatt / Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Confined Space Rescue

In high-stakes rescue operations, especially those involving confined space entries, dynamic directional hauling systems offer critical advantages. This blog explores how to configure and operate a dual high directional setup—an A-frame paired with a monopod—to manage complex terrain and shifting load paths. When used with mirrored twin tension systems, this strategy creates a stable and

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key articles on artificial high directionals (AHDs) - Artificial High Directionals Purpose Built Systems and Improvised Solutions

Purpose Built Artificial High Directionals

Lance Piatt / Arizona Vortex, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Equipment, Portable Anchors, TerrAdaptor

Artificial High Directionals: Purpose-Built Systems and Improvised Solutions Artificial High Directionals (AHDs) play a crucial role in technical rescue operations by creating elevated anchor points for hauling, lowering, and managing edge transitions. While purpose-built products like the Arizona Vortex and SMC Terradaptor are industry standards, rescue teams often encounter scenarios where they must improvise using

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Replicating an Aerial Ladder with Timber

Lance Piatt / Artificial High Directional AHD, Elevated Anchor Systems

Replicating an Aerial Ladder with Timber: Creating a High Directional Anchor System In the world of technical rescue, improvisation can mean the difference between success and failure. While modern rescue teams rely heavily on specialized equipment like aerial ladders, there are times when these tools aren’t available—in remote wilderness locations, disaster zones, or during prolonged

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Timber High Directionals in Rescue Operations

Lance Piatt / Anchoring, Anchors, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Designing Your Processes, Dynamic Directional, Mainline Systems and Operations, Pulleys & Mechanical Advantage, Two Rope Offsets

Timber High Directionals in Rescue Operations Why Build Timber High Directionals? When rescue teams respond to emergencies in remote or austere environments, they often face unexpected challenges that require improvisation and adaptability. In these scenarios, modern equipment like the Arizona Vortex may not be available or practical to transport. This is where timber structures—such as

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Tight Line Skate Block Systems in Rope Rescue

Lance Piatt / Anchoring, Anchors, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Dynamic Directional, Elevated Anchor Systems, Mainline Systems and Operations, Pulleys & Mechanical Advantage, Skate Blocks

Tight Line Skate Block Systems in Rope Rescue A tight line skate block system is a highly specialized variation of the traditional skate block, providing increased precision, control, and adaptability for advanced technical rescues. These systems are critical in environments requiring elevated tension management and controlled load transitions. I. Introduction A tight line skate block

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