Safe Practices Archives | Rigging Lab Academy

Expanding Horizons: Redefining Vision in Technical Rope Rescue and Rigging

By Lance Piatt / Blog, Designing Your Processes, Safe Practices, Scene Management, Technical Learning

In the realm of technical rope rescue and rigging, vision is an essential, multi-dimensional asset that intertwines technical proficiency with human empathy. It elevates the field from a mere technical endeavor to a comprehensive, compassionate, and coordinated rescue effort. By embracing this expanded definition of vision, rescue teams are not only equipped to face physical …

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Peaks and Valleys: A Guide to Navigating High and Low-Angle Rope Rescues

By Lance Piatt / Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Designing Your Processes, Equipment, General Rigging, Mainline Systems and Operations, Principles of Learning, Safe Practices, Team Competencies

High-angle rescue stands as a beacon of hope and technical prowess in the face of nature’s most daunting terrains. These operations, essential for saving lives where the ground falls away into steep declines, demand a blend of courage, skill, and knowledge. Today, we delve into the world of high-angle versus low-angle rescues, unraveling the complexities …

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Unlocking Safety: Exploring the Basics of Rope Rescue Edge Protections

By Lance Piatt / Blog, Designing Your Processes, Fall Safety, General Rigging, Leadership, Safe Practices

In the dynamic environments of the fire service and search and rescue operations, ensuring the safety of our responders is paramount. Among the critical considerations in these high-risk scenarios is the protection of the rope edge – the lifeline that connects our technicians to safety and facilitates successful rescues. Rope rescue edge protections encompass a …

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Essential Edge Protection: The Keystone of Rope Rescue Safety and Efficiency

By Lance Piatt / Blog, General Rigging, Principles of Learning, RRG Gear Review, Safe Practices

Within rope rescue, edge protection equipment stands out as a fundamental toolkit, essential for safeguarding the rope against wear and tear while ensuring the safety of both the rescue team and the individual being assisted. This equipment is designed to serve multiple pivotal functions: Protection: It shields the rope from sharp edges and rough surfaces that …

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Peak Performance: How Mountaineering and Trekking Elevate Fitness for Search and Rescue and Fire Service Professionals

By Lance Piatt / Blog, Coaching, Designing Your Processes, Fitness, Safe Practices

The fitness requirements for Search and Rescue (SAR) and Fire Service personnel are tailored to the specific demands of each role, with both requiring high levels of physical fitness but focusing on different skills and abilities. For the Fire Service, the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is a commonly used assessment that includes a series …

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The Prequel: Unveiling the Essence of Rope Rescue Training

By Lance Piatt / Blog, Designing Your Processes, Leadership, Online Training Education, Organizing, Safe Practices, Scene Management

This is the Beginning of a longer series focusing on: The 13 Critical Components in Rope Rescue Training and found within Rigging Lab This course serves a dual purpose: first, it acts as a comprehensive roadmap designed for both experienced rope technicians and aspiring leaders within the realm of rope rescue. Its primary goal is …

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Understanding the Differences Between Coaches, Trainers, and Instructors in the Fire Service

By Lance Piatt / Blog, Coaching, Leadership, Personal Competencies, Safe Practices, Team Competencies

In the fire service, there are several roles that involve guidance, teaching, and support for individuals and groups. However, these roles are often used interchangeably without fully understanding their distinct differences. Coaches, trainers, and instructors all have their unique skills and qualifications that make them effective in various contexts. Understanding these differences is crucial in …

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Why Studying Iconic Coaches is Essential for Advancing Rope Rescue Excellence

By Lance Piatt / Blog, How-To Concepts, Industry, Safe Practices, Scene Management, Search and Rescue Training, Team Competencies, Technical Learning

In recent weeks, I’ve immersed myself in the realm of NFL coaching. While the names of Vince Lombardi, John Madden, Hank Stram, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, and Don Shula are widely recognized, it’s become increasingly apparent that coaching in the NFL from the 1960s through the early 1980s represented a unique era, starkly contrasting with …

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Mastering the Art of Mainline Rescue and Rigging: A Comprehensive Guide

By Lance Piatt / Blog, Designing Your Processes, Dynamic Directional, Elevated Anchor Systems, Horizontal Rigging, Mainline Systems and Operations, Mechanical Advantage, Principles of Learning, Pulley Systems, Pulleys & Mechanical Advantage, Safe Practices

Mainline rescue and rigging systems encompass a comprehensive set of principles and techniques crucial for safely and effectively performing various forms of rescue and rigging operations. These systems are essential in scenarios like technical rescue, wilderness rescue, and industrial rigging, where precision and safety are paramount. Below is a synoptic overview of the key aspects …

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Balancing Act: Navigating Highlines in Rope Rescue and Life

By Lance Piatt / Blog, Designing Your Processes, Equipment, Fall Safety, General Rigging, Safe Practices, Team Competencies, Technical Learning

I love the parallels between highline systems in rope rescue and the challenges of everyday life. “In the world of rope rescue, the concept of ‘highlines’ holds a profound parallel to the challenges we encounter in life. Picture this: a highline system, suspended across a perilous gap, serving as a lifeline for those in need. …

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