arizona vortex Archives

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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Enhancing Technical Rescue Excellence

Lance Piatt / Blog, Elevated Anchor Systems, Litter Operations, Offset Track Line, Portable Anchors, Pulley Systems, Skate Blocks

Enhancing Technical Rescue Excellence In a pivotal move to elevate their technical rescue capabilities, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit (EDSAR) partnered with Rigging Lab Academy to host a comprehensive workshop designed to refine operational efficiency and technical proficiency. This collaboration not only honed essential rescue skills but also fostered team cohesion

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High Angle Rescue with Arizona Vortex

Lance Piatt / Blog, Designing Your Processes, Elevated Anchor Systems, General Rigging, Horizontal Rigging, Mainline Systems and Operations, Patient Packaging, Portable Anchors, Principles of Learning

High Angle Rescue Scenario: A Comprehensive Breakdown When a climber falls 60 feet while scouting a route before roping up, the stakes are high for both the injured individual and the rescue team. The Rescue Response Team must act decisively, employing advanced tools and techniques to ensure the climber’s safe evacuation. Using the Arizona Vortex

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Patient Packaging and Litter Handling Floating the litter

Floating the Litter Using an A-Frame and Gin Pole Trackline

Lance Piatt / Anchors, Arizona Vortex, Artificial High Directional AHD, Elevated Anchor Systems, Litter Operations, Mainline Systems and Operations, Minimalist Mountain and Climber Rescue, Portable Anchors, Twin Tension Rope System, Twin Tension Rope System Clutch, Two (Twin) Tension Rope Systems / 253 Comments

Floating the Litter Using an A-Frame and Gin Pole Trackline Steep angle litter work represents one of the most challenging scenarios in high-angle rescue operations. The primary challenge lies in ensuring patient contact and visual oversight while navigating challenging terrain. These conditions often necessitate the use of a carefully chosen and highly functional system to

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Arizona Vortex Sideways A-Frames

Lance Piatt / Blog, CMC Rescue, Elevated Anchor Systems, Portable Anchors / 36 Comments

The Versatility of the Arizona Vortex: Sideways A-Frames In technical rescue operations, adaptability is critical. The Arizona Vortex excels in offering versatile configurations, including the Sideways A-Frame, which addresses challenging edge conditions and uneven terrain. Unlike the traditional easel leg A-frame, the Sideways A-Frame can be deployed in narrow spaces or environments with uneven surfaces,

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Arizona Vortex Setup Guide

Lance Piatt / Arizona Vortex, Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, CMC Rescue, How-To Concepts, Rock Exotica / 30 Comments

General Guidelines to a Successful Operation of the Arizona Vortex Excerpt From The Arizona Vortex Guidebook – A Rigging Lab Academy Premiere Course Operating the Arizona Vortex successfully demands an understanding of the forces at play and a disciplined approach to setup and execution. The safety and reliability of the Vortex depend on resisting all

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Visualizing Resultants in Rigging

Lance Piatt / Blog, Portable Anchors, Two (Twin) Tension Rope Systems, Two Rope Offsets, Two Tensioned Rope Rescue Systems / 5 Comments

Visualizing Resultants and Maintaining Stability in Rigging Systems Excerpt from “A Guide to Artificial High Directionals & Two-Tension Rope Systems” Rigging stability is both an art and a science. Ensuring your system remains stable requires careful consideration of forces, resultants, and the tools available to manage them. Whether you’re deploying artificial high directionals (AHDs) like

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Using Vortex as Aerial Ladder

Lance Piatt / Blog, Dynamic Directional, Pat Rhodes, Team Competencies / 7 Comments

Using an Arizona Vortex as a Mock Aerial Ladder for Study Purposes Aerial ladders are a staple in technical rescue, offering height, leverage, and adaptability in various scenarios. However, the complexity of forces acting on these structures requires a deep understanding of physics to ensure safety and effectiveness. To explore these dynamics, Rigging Lab Academy

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Two Tension Rope System with Petzl JAG

Lance Piatt / Blog, Lance Piatt, Petzl, Pulleys & Mechanical Advantage, RRG Gear Review, Two (Twin) Tension Rope Systems, Two Tensioned Rope Rescue Systems / 7 Comments

Two Tension Rope System with Petzl JAG In technical rope rescue, the Two-Tensioned Rope System (TTRS), or Twin Tension Rope System, is an essential technique for vertical and horizontal evacuations. This system uses two tensioned ropes to evenly distribute loads, ensuring redundancy and safety. A standout feature of TTRS is its compatibility with the Petzl

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