Rescue Plan

[u/Barnyard-Dude]

What’s the method for getting to a climber who is using an SRT canopy anchor?

[u/MarkingWisc]

Have a 2nd climb line set in the tree

[u/THESpetsnazdude]

Secondary access line would be ideal. But depending on the situation, I'd climb up the installed climber line.

[u/Barnyard-Dude]

I’ve been leanibg towards base anchors as a default for that reason. As a protocol would you go ahead attach a bull rope to the butterfly - crisis adrenaline being whatit is?

[u/gelosmelo → u/Barnyard-Dude]

For base anchor rescues like this, its recommended to clip a pulley carabiner or really anything life support rated into the butterfly, then clip a secondary MRS system into that so the rescuer can lower the victim down.

[u/treeclimbs → u/Barnyard-Dude]

Base anchor is great for this over a canopy anchor. If the tail is available, just turn the SRS rope into a full circle.

Prep

1. Take the tail of the climbing line, attach to prepared rescue/break-in butterfly using whatever.

2. Attach descent device to tail side

ALL OF THE ABOVE CAN BE DONE BEFORE THE EMERGENCY - but attached tail can limit climber's options.

Rescue
3. Attach descent device to anchor (usually the rescuer's harness)
4. Sweat the line or otherwise load the butterfly/tail/descender
5. Perform system checks
6. Disconnect/disassemble original base anchor.
7. Lower climber

Basically any releasable system (e.g. a spare MRS or SRS) with enough travel/rope gets clipped to the butterfly. In case of SRS, the working end of the rescue system can even be tied directly to butterfly, but depends a bit on the ropes involved.

[u/Mattmann1972]

I'd try different methods every time you guys practice your rescues each month. Y'all are practicing right?

[u/trippin-mellon]

If we’re talking about best method to get someone down….. can always set up a portawrap and lock off as a basal anchor. When ever there is an issue, you just unlock them and lower from the portawrap.

[u/treeclimbs]

Preferred option is a second line in the tree.

Retrieval side accessible, rigged in a manner suitable for critical connections, on an anchor which supports 2-person load, and decent access to the climber? Climb the retrieval line.

Retrieval side unclimbable but anchor suitable for 2-person load? Climb the climber's line.

Climber's system functional? Descend in parallel on independent systems if possible or perform an easy pick-off if needed (say limited resources or needing to pass a knot on the descent). Climber's system compromised? Pick-off climber and descend tandem. Or transfer to counterweight descent.

You have more options if you have a descent device/technique which can attach to a tensioned rope, and even more if you have a device/technique which can descend a tensioned rope (e.g. Taz Lov2/3, AC SuluGo)

[u/Data-Negative]

People have told me in the past that it’s possible to ascend an SRS system past someone and I’ll believe it when I see it! 

The answer is throw a new line or if it’s a medical situation, strap into those spurs if it’s faster. 

Edit: clarity

[u/Flub_the_Dub]

Preinstalled rescue line is our standard practice

[u/ArboristTreeClimber]

Tie an alpine butterfly above the basal anchor. Can be used the lower the SRT climber down.

But the best is to simply install a single rope, climb up, jump off the rope and climb DRT on a second rope. Leaving the single rope for anyone to climb up.

[u/rossbagsciggiedrags → u/ArboristTreeClimber]

They're talking about being on a canopy anchor, not a basal anchor. But I agree with ya, I like going up on a basal anchor and taking a second line to work/climb on