Utah County Search and Rescue (UCSAR) has embraced innovation, opting to transition from classic prusik-based systems to a more efficient setup featuring the Petzl MAESTRO. This shift has marked a significant leap in their operational effectiveness, offering faster transitions and enhanced control in critical rescue situations. This is a repost from Petzl. These folks have it right!
NOT A SINGLE PRUSIK IN THE SYSTEM
Why one Utah SAR team transitioned to the MAESTRO
SEPTEMBER 29 2020
The Decision to Upgrade
The spring of 2020 brought a technical call that underscored the limitations of UCSAR’s traditional prusik system. The team’s response, while effective, was sluggish. This prompted Incident Commander Jared Hansen and UCSAR’s leadership to explore alternatives. Their answer was the MAESTRO, a tool specifically designed to streamline rigging and rope rescue operations.
Switching from a classic prusik system to a single or double rope system using the MAESTRO was the fastest adoption of a new system that Jared has seen with UCSAR. “We had a call in the spring of 2020, before the adoption of the MAESTRO, and it was the first technical call of the year and we were so slow,” Hansen recounts. That call was what encouraged Jared and the board members to look for a new system. “The friction spur made a big difference and what gave the MAESTRO the biggest advantage because lowering 400 pounds felt easy,” said Olin Johnson, who has been with the UCSAR since 1999.
The UCSAR team is made up of about 60 full time volunteers and responds to about 100 calls a year, across 22 cities, with many of the rescues at popular locations like Mt. Timpanogos, Stewart Falls and Bridal Veil. In the American Fork Canyon, about ten miles north of Stewart Falls, fifteen SAR members are practicing a vertical edge rescue. They use a 5:1 raise with a redirect using the becket, or small hole, on the MAESTRO. In a few weeks following this training, the UCSAR team will be taking their Mountain Rescue Association recertification test. “An MRA accreditation verifies that the SAR team has trained and tested to a certain performance level,” said Rocky Henderson, a past MRA President.
Why the MAESTRO?
- Ease of Use: The MAESTRO simplifies transitions between raising and lowering, reducing setup time to mere seconds.
- Efficiency: The integrated friction spur makes handling heavy loads, such as 400-pound rescues, significantly easier.
- Adaptability: Whether in single or twin tension systems, the MAESTRO excels, making it ideal for both training and real-world scenarios.
Proven Results
UCSAR has already seen the impact of adopting the MAESTRO during training exercises and real rescue operations. The device enables quick setups, improves load control, and eliminates the need for prusiks in the system.
During their Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) recertification, UCSAR leveraged the MAESTRO’s capabilities, reinforcing their reputation as a highly trained and certified team. As MRA-certified responders, UCSAR showcases their dedication to excellence in search and rescue operations.
Moving Forward
UCSAR’s embrace of the MAESTRO highlights a broader trend in the rescue industry: transitioning to more advanced, efficient systems. By adopting the MAESTRO, UCSAR not only enhances their operational capability but also sets a standard for other SAR teams aiming to modernize.
Learn more about the Petzl MAESTRO and explore additional technical resources available at Rigging Lab Academy.
Peace on your Days
Lance
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