SARINZ Training at Freycinet Week 4

SRAINZ stands for Search and Rescue Institute New Zealand who run a 5-day intensive verticle rescue course for the AAD which is just fantastic! For those of you who are wondering what these bits of rope mean I will let you know why they look out of shape! Day 1 started with the setting up of a 9:1 haul system to gain a mechanical advantage over the tasks and testing we were about to do. The photos below are the before and after shot for one of the prussic loops from my harness.

TECH Heads only for nthe next bit - The green rope is an unused 10.2mm Marmot Dynamic Rope of unknown age with a 5.5mm spectra prussic (well loved for 5 years on my harness) snapping at 9.280kN or a force eqaul to 928kg. I was suitably impressed and now regret putting it through the test! Anyway I still hve 2 more on my harness and will use them with confidence.

Below is a stretcher and Nick (another FTO) going over the edge of a granite cliff at Freycinet to pick up and unconscious (acting) patient or victim (which ever you prefer). The next shot shows how much rope and hardwear was used to safely facilitate his lowering and raising to safety.

Below are a few extra shot of a carrying exercise on steep slopes (hopefully a video) and some of the native wildlife. This currently under threat from the spread of 'Cinnamon Fungus' which causes root rot in the National Park.