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Members of the fire brigade ascend
the mast
the 200ft mast. There are two main
methods of rescue practiced by DF
riggers. The first is a 'pick-off', which
is an abseil rescue technique, and
second is a 'lower down', which is
a direct
evacuation by
controlled
lower
technique
using the
rescue kit
complete
with descender.
The first
practice
rescue of
the day
was of the
second
type. In
this case
the rescuer
accompanied the
victim
down,
regulating
the speed of descent and attending
the victim throughout the operation. The second rescue involved the
victim being lowered to the ground
on his own where another rigger was
waiting. In this case the speed of the
lowering is regulated by a team from
where the rescue initially took place.
After the two rescues were successfully carried out and a welldeserved hot lunch in the cookhouse
was enjoyed, the course was joined
by members of the fire brigade to
integrate their training and skills.
Both rescues were again carried out
successfully, this time with the fire
brigade personnel mixed in with the
DF riggers. These kinds of integrated
training exercises can only enhance
our riggers' skills and help to highlight
the brave and often unrecognised
work that they carry out.
Members of the fire brigade with Defence Force instructors
Sgt Major John Murray, Sgt Paul Browne and Cpl Des Ward
Students and Instructors
www.military.ie the defence forces magazine
