Stockton Rescue Practice Article

Rescue Practice Stockton Coal Mine

Article by Grant Prattley, Programme Manager Rescue, SARINZ Ltd.

I attended and assisted with training for a rescue practice on Saturday the 27 ^th of January, 2007 on the Stockton Plateau, near Westport, West Coast, South Island.

Around 12 people attended from various groups including:

·       West coast vertical rescue team (caving)

·       Wesport Fire Service

·       Geovert

·       NZ Police

The weather was particularly fine which I am told is unusual for this area. The location was on the side of a large gorge.

There was the opportunity put up a tripod. Using a battery drill and a petrol drill bolts were placed in the sandstone rock to secure it.

The belay consisted of a bolt joined to an existing steel structure.

The mainline line used two natural anchors (large rocks). One rock was attached with a wrap 3 pull 2 and the other with a wrap 2 pull 2 with 25mm webbing. This was focused at a floating anchor plate via a single front tie and two 3:1cd backties.

Descent lines for the patient/first aider were secured using 4 bolts.

We undertook three scenarios:

1. Patient pickoff without a stretcher using the tripod.
2. Patient pickoff with a stretcher using the tripod.
3. Patient pickoff with a stretcher using a low directional edge roller and H pole technique.

Overall it was a successful day with participants learning a lot about team rescue procedures and rigging.

If your organisation is interested in Search and Rescue consultancy, training, manuals, testing/research or programme development we have the skills and experience to help. We can provide a comprehensive service. We have extensive experience operating in alpine, wilderness, urban and industrial environments.

 

Contact:

Grant Prattley

Programme Manager Rescue

Mobile:  027 2419948

Email:    grant@sarinz.com

Phone:   03 3597669

A/H:       03 6938901

 

SARINZ Ltd

1/202 Wooldridge Rd

PO Box 39 067

Harewood

Christchurch

Phone:   0800 4 SARINZ

Web: www.sarinz.com

 

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