Carry out aerial rescues

This standard covers all the activities that may be required to carry out aerial rescues to recover conscious and unconscious casualties from trees.

This involves assessing the needs of the casualty and the risks of rescue, selecting appropriate rescue methods and carrying out the rescue to bring the casualty safely to the ground.

It includes the accessing of trees by climbing (using both ladders and climbing equipment) or by Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP).

When working with equipment and machinery you must be appropriately trained, competent to carry out the activity being undertaken, and hold current certification where required, in line with the relevant legislation.

Your work must conform to all relevant legislation and codes of practice, industry standards and guidance.

This standard is only suitable for those who are already competent in accessing trees by climbing or using a MEWP. A basic knowledge of first aid is also required.

1. maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in accordance with the relevant legislation and codes of practice
2. assess the risks of carrying out aerial rescues to determine the need for rescue and the implications to casualties, yourself and others involved in the operations, in accordance with current industry guidance
3. assess the needs of casualties and their injuries to determine the appropriate course of action in accordance with current industry guidance
4. plan aerial rescues, selecting access and rescue methods which are safe, appropriate to the situation and in accordance with risk assessment and current industry guidance
5. confirm that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work to be carried out is worn at all times
6. select, prepare, use, maintain and store the tools and equipment required safely, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and manufacturer’s instructions
7. confirm that all equipment has been checked, tested where required, and is fit for purpose in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and manufacturer's instructions
8. confirm that relevant training, experience and certification is in place to undertake aerial rescues and recognise your own competence limitations
9. use appropriate methods to access trees to perform aerial rescues and bring casualties to the ground in accordance with current industry guidance
10. administer the relevant first aid to the casualty while in the tree and continue, where necessary, once on the ground
11. maintain communication with those on the ground and the casualty, in accordance with industry guidance and organisational procedures
12. record and report incidents in accordance with legal and organisational requirements
13. take the required actions where problems are identified during aerial rescues, in accordance with organisational procedures
14. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with legal and organisational requirements

1. how to identify hazards and assess the risks associated with trees and the surrounding area and operational difficulties in carrying out aerial rescues
2. how to assess situations and the needs of casualties and decide if the emergency services are required
3. how to plan aerial rescue operations and the key elements that need to be included
4. the rescue methods appropriate to a range of possible situations, including with conscious or unconscious casualties
5. the tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) required and how to safely, prepare, use, carry out operator maintenance, and store these in accordance with the relevant legal requirements, manufacturer’s instructions, and organisational procedures
6. the legal requirements for the inspection of all climbing and lowering equipment and the evidence required to show this has been done
7. the legal, industry and organisational requirements for training, experience and certification to undertake the work activities required and the importance of acknowledging your limitations and not undertaking work that is beyond your level of competence
8. the importance of using a personal fall protection system when climbing and working in trees
9. how to carry out aerial rescue operations using methods involving casualty and rescuer lines, and a rescuer line only, in different situations
10. the situations when an aerial rescue by climbing may not be the most appropriate method to use
11. how to carry out aerial rescues using a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) and the implications of the Safe Working Load (SWL) limit on rescues
12. how the species and condition of trees will affect rescues
13. the basic principles of first aid and how they may be applied, according to your own level of training
14. how to initiate and maintain effective communication during aerial rescues with the following: the casualty; work colleagues; the general public and the emergency services
15. the issues that may occur when carrying out aerial rescues and the actions to take
16. the scope and limitations of your competence, responsibilities and accountability
17. the legal and organisational requirements for the completion and storage of documentation

Arial rescues carried out by climbing, by using a MEWP or both including the following:
• rescue of a conscious victim
• rescue of an unconscious victim
• rescue of a victim near the main stem of the tree
• rescue of a victim in the crown away from the main stem
• rescue of a victim from a pole
• rescue of an injured Mobile Elevated Work Platform operator
• involving the use of a two- or more person rescue team

Organisational procedures refer to procedures set by the organisation you are employed by or the organisation that you are doing the work on behalf of (the client or customer)

Personal Fall Protection System – a collection of components which, when used correctly, combine to prevent a fall. Personal fall protection systems comprise a primary system and a back-up which is attached to an independent anchor wherever possible. The back-up can only be omitted when:
• It is not practical to maintain it for the specific, “stationary” and short-duration task of rope advance/changeover, reinstating the back-up as soon as possible
• Carrying out the rescue of a casualty where speed is crucial

Safe System of Work (SSoW) – is a method of work that puts in place control measures arising from a risk assessment, in order to manage identified hazards, which are broken down into four elements: safe person; safe equipment; safe place; and safe practice.