gin pole Archives

Technical Rescue Efficiency The Three Pillars of Controlled Patient Transport

Lance Piatt / Blog, Litter Operations, Patient Packaging

In professional rescue environments, efficiency is achieved through the deliberate balance of mechanical precision, system predictability, and patient safety. Technical rescue operations—especially in vertical and confined space environments—demand that every action be guided by principle, not impulse. Success is rarely improvised; it is engineered. The governing framework of efficiency in patient transport can be defined […]

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Skate Block Highline with Gin Pole Directional in Rope Rescue

Lance Piatt / Blog, Offset Track Line, Portable Anchors

Skate Block Highline with Gin Pole Directional in Rope Rescue – How a highline configured as a skate block with a monopod directional improves efficiency, control, and safety in complex terrain. Highlines are a cornerstone of modern rope rescue, allowing teams to move loads across obstacles such as rivers, canyons, cliffs, or collapsed structures. Traditionally,

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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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Horizontal Rigging Systems

Lance Piatt / Blog, Horizontal Rigging

Horizontal Rigging Systems for Rescue: Tracklines, Taglines, and Twin Rope Offsets Horizontal rigging systems are essential tools in technical rescue—bridging terrain that would otherwise limit safe movement, patient transport, or equipment access. These systems allow rescue teams to span horizontal gaps or redirect vertical access using overhead tension lines, floating directionals, and anchored systems. This

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Gin Pole AHD rope rescue

Lance Piatt / Blog, Portable Anchors, Two Tensioned Rope Rescue Systems

In rope rescue, artificial high directionals (AHDs) are force multipliers—not just for mechanical advantage, but for terrain navigation, edge management, and operational flow. Among the most versatile and efficient of these is the gin pole. Whether used in confined space, industrial tower rescue, or wilderness cliffside extractions, a properly configured gin pole offers clean vertical

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Twin Tension Rope Systems and Gin Pole Setup

TTRS and Gin Pole Setup for Technical Rope Work

Lance Piatt / Blog, Twin Tension Rope System Clutch, Two (Twin) Tension Rope Systems, Two Rope Offsets, Two Tensioned Rope Rescue Systems

Technical rope professionals often need fast clarity on specific systems. Whether you are refining a Twin Tension Rope System (TTRS) or setting up a gin pole, efficiency, safety, and precision come from understanding how the system works—not just owning the gear. Twin Tension Rope Systems (TTRS) TTRS distributes the load between two tensioned lines, with

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Gin Pole Rigging Stability

Lance Piatt / Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Portable Anchors, Team Competencies, Twin Tension Rope System, Two Rope Offsets

Gin Pole Rigging Stability: Unequal Tension in Guys Guying a gin pole is not about applying equal tension to all guy lines. Understanding the direction and magnitude of compression and tension forces is critical. These forces dictate how the monopod responds under load and help you predict how the system will stabilize during operation. Practical

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Major Taglines in Rigging T-Method mechanical advantage

Major Taglines in Horizontal Rigging

Lance Piatt / Artificial High Directional AHD, Blog, Mainline Systems and Operations / 6 Comments

Expanding the Concept of Major Taglines in Horizontal Rigging Major taglines are an essential tool in horizontal rigging, valued for their ability to maintain safety, efficiency, and simplicity in operations over wide gaps and challenging terrain. They form a critical part of the rigging toolbox, particularly when compared to other horizontal systems like highlines or

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SMC Vector Gin Pole

Lance Piatt / Blog, Elevated Anchor Systems, Twin Tension Rope System, Two Rope Offsets / 36 Comments

Lightweight Solutions for Backcountry Rescue When it comes to backcountry rescue, weight and portability are critical. The SMC Vector Gin Pole offers an elegant solution, designed for scenarios where the simplicity and ease of setup are as important as functionality. In this overview, we explore the unique features and applications of the Vector, showcasing how

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Artificial High Directional Types

Lance Piatt / Anchoring, Arizona Vortex, Blog, CMC Rescue, General Rigging, Highline Rigging, How-To Concepts, Portable Anchors

Artificial High Directionals Types (AHDs) play a critical role in technical rescue and rigging scenarios, offering versatile solutions for elevated anchors and mechanical advantage systems. Whether in mountain rescue, industrial settings, or search and rescue (SAR) operations, understanding the types and proper use of AHDs can significantly enhance the efficiency and safety of operations. Let’s

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