It is encouraging to see fire service personnel now training in all manner of search and rescue, to make sure they have the specialist skills required to perform technical rescues such as working at height and confined spaces.
We know that a ‘trial-by-error’ approach won’t cut it – your team needs to be confident that they have technical rescue skills which are well embedded through effective and regular training. This creates muscle memory and operational fitness meaning that your team responds positively, and with increased confidence when they are faced with a difficult emergency.
Working at Height – training to mitigate the risk
Did you know that statistically, falls from height account for the highest proportion of workplace fatalities in many countries worldwide? Even if employers ensure that staff are well trained in using fall arrest equipment, there is also a significant risk of suspension related injuries and consequent fatality and therefore it is imperative that plans are in place to rescue the casualty quickly and efficiently.
Thankfully research in this area is improving and many expert organizations offer advice on the dangers presented by a fall from height, whilst in harness…and the importance of a swift rescue. There is the potential for significant risk to casualties who are left suspended, especially those who are unconscious. Specifically, that the longer a casualty is suspended without moving, the greater the chances are of serious consequences developing.
As fire and safety professionals – are you confident that your team are skilled in extricating a casualty from a suspension quickly, to make sure that this risk is minimized? Regular, scenario-based training is the best way of achieving this goal.
Training manikins for Working at Height
Rescue training manufacturer Ruth Lee Ltd have been manufacturing a range of rescue training manikins for more than a quarter of a century and they are sold to teams all around the world, who trust their durability and suitability for the range of training exercises performed.
Whilst many of us already know and love their standard duty manikin, the team at Ruth Lee Ltd have worked with experts in the field of technical rescue to develop manikins to suit specific training scenarios including working at height.
Available in a range of weights, 30, 50 and 70Kg, the Working at Height Manikins are designed to be anatomically correct with regards to weighted proportions and due to additional features, will sit comfortably in a rescue harness without slumping, making it the ideal choice for working at height rescue training.
Ruth Lee Ltd is also a member of IRATA – the International Rope Access Trade Association. An important link for the company, proving their dedication to creating the very best training products for the sector.
Andy Densmore, Fire Academy Coordinator at Allan Hancock College’s Regional Fire Academy and Training Facility, USA Sid:
“We use Ruth Lee manikins in our program, conducting all manner of Fire Rescue Training including Ladder Rescue, Building Search and Rescue, Vehicle Extrication, Rapid Intervention/Firefighter Rescue, and Rescue Under-Fire. We find that, in addition to their durability under repeatedly harsh and abrasive conditions, the Ruth Lee products provide the most realistic feel and articulation during the manipulations necessary to effect Rescue.”
In a tight spot…manikins for confined spaces
Another technical rescue skill which is increasingly in focus is confined space extrication. It is a very specialist skill and depending on the environment of the extrication, potentially hazardous for the rescuer and casualty.
Previously, training for confirmed spaces could be tricky – getting your manikin into the narrow space could be as much of a challenge as extricating it in training! This is why Ruth Lee Ltd designed their Confined Space Manikin, which splits into several components to be constructed once the manikin is in position. None of the individual parts weigh more than 25kg meaning that it is easy to carry the individual pieces into the confined space.
Julie Wilson, Marketing Manager at MRS Training & Rescue in the UK said;
“In our high-risk rescue and recovery from confined spaces training, we train candidates on the scenario of recovering a casualty from a hazardous environment through an area that has restricted access. For example, there may be an unconscious casualty requiring a stretcher that has to be removed safely using other access equipment like winches and tripods etc, being maneuvered through restricted spaces such as a vertical lift through a manhole.
The manikins are safer to use than live casualties! They are also very realistic as they are weighted to make them feel like a real person – so we can create very realistic training and rescue scenarios.
We would definitely recommend Ruth Lee manikins to others. We have been using them for well over 25 years and counting!”
The Ruth Lee Ltd range of technical rescue manikins is well worth investigating if you are looking for a more challenging training scenario for your team. To level up your training, and compete with the best in the world regarding technical skill and competence, speak to Sarvamangala Industries on 91 33 2242 7910 or visit www.si-fire.com