Some of the training aids I make that are magnetic that are great for visualizing systems, walking through scenarios, or doing after incident reviews. We have a ton more products lined up to launch. Check us out at loadpathlabs.com

Hi community. I am hoping I can get some guidance with this.

I'm from Canada (BC) and I've been doing rope access for 12+ years now (L3 + two recertifications). I'm also ITRA 3. I did this last one basically because I actually still love rigging and the rope world.

Asides of that I've also done other rescue training like crevasse rescues at mountaineering schools, minimal gear rescues, Sea Kayak L1, Avalanche safety training, GWO Advanced rescue training, things like that.

I am just wondering what can I do to shift my carreer more towards the rescue side of things. And I also wonder how this world works.

Is it mandatory to be a fireman or a paramedic in Canada to work in high angle? What are the wages? Are rescues only for the military? I feel I once heard they're the only ones who can perform rescues in Canada.

I was thinking in volunteering in a search and rescue team in BC but my job keeps me away for 2 week per month and I feel they won't like that.

Any suggestions on how to move towards the rescue side of things?

Any advice will be appreciated! Thanks

Does anyone remember a website that appeared dated but had LOADS of manuals and guides, run by a husband a wife? They clearly had made a life doing a lot of climbing but also volunteering for SAR, like starting in the late 90s/early 2000s.

The websites title was something like his and her name? They had pages and pages of stuff, even various methods for tying off a brake bar rack.

Good day, I’m looking to see what other USAR Teams are using for nails when making shoring.

My team is using Milwaukee 30 degree nailers which take a paper strip nail.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers SOG Edition 5.0 says that the preferred nail is a 16d 0.148”x3.25” sinker/cooler nail and a 8d 0.131”x2.5” with plastic coating.

These nails are far from common in a paper strip. I’m wondering what other teams are using and if you think it would be more ideal to have a thicker or longer nail to maintain the same hold/strength.

Hello, fire service is upgrading our confined space rescue gear and are in the market for a new tripod/quadpod. Does anyone have any suggestions that are reasonably priced? Arizona Vortex at 7k won’t fly :-)

Load of different options when you google but wondering what everyone has tried or has.

If you can, please take this quick 30 second survey on search and rescue or related emergency operations and how existing and new technology can assist.

https://forms.gle/22m4U1emutdZd4tr5

For some background, I am a senior at Santa Monica High School in the Engineering Academy and working on a project developing a hybrid drone capable of extended operation and extreme versatility. It will have the ability to roll, fly, and cruise across water allowing it to navigate truly any terrain for search and rescue or other emergency situations.

Hello! I’m conducting a research project on underwater experiences and inviting scuba divers and freedivers to participate in a short, anonymous survey about their experience in the last three months.

If you dive and are interested in participating, you can access the survey here: https://forms.gle/MAPzq2hPGtdt56W98

Thank you, and please feel free to share with others who dive!

Recently, a local fire department asked if I could help them come up with a cleaner way to store a small number of gloves in their rescue vehicles, boxes always seem to get crushed, buried, or half destroyed in the vehicle.

Before I go too far down the design rabbit hole, I figured I’d ask here:
What are you guys using that actually works in rescue rigs or POVs?

Hi

Just wondering the general consensus is in which is best for confined space rescue?

Or both good in their own way.

I am looking for a snap hook preferably double action that is open and I don’t have to tie through and that swivels. I know Petzl makes an open hook and ISC makes a swivel is there one that’s both

Any issues using technora as Prusik cord?

Finishing up my tech with confined space. Are there any particular knee pads y’all recommend

I’m supposed to go to swift water level 1 & 2 in November. My department is issuing me a dry suit, gloves and boots. Any recommendations on an undergarment? It doesn’t get real cold in Texas but it will still be pretty cold in the water.

Have y'all ever encountered SAR teams utilizing portable (not hull-mounted) sonar systems during a recovery operation? For example, this low cost Garmin unit seems like it could be useful for mapping river bottoms and potentially identifying bodies. Based on my experience with other consumer grade sonar systems (aka. "fish finders"), however, I'm skeptical that it would be truly useful. That said, there seem to be limited alternatives for searches in fast flowing rivers and flood zones where divers are not a viable option.

Does anyone have experience with the Husqvarna K1 battery cutoff saw? It’s the equivalent of a 14” gas k12. I’m working on spec’ing some battery rotary saws to replace the stihl/fisher price battery saws we currently have that are absolute garbage. I’m looking to use these saws for vent as well as collapse rescue and general rescue purposes on both engine, truck, and a heavy rescue company.

I'm curious if any teams out there label their TPU material packs like Petzl Transports and Buckets. We have many many of these buckets and packs for rope and gear and the little window is just too small. I'd love to label each bag with big numbers like a blue "200FT". or "SYSTEM BAG 1". We are playing with the idea of stencils and urethane (like they use on rafts). Has anyone else labeled bags in any way that looks good and bright but also durable? We have the yellow, black, and red bags.

Hey all,

I’m working on planning the equipment and layout for a mobile incident command unit, and I’d love to get input from those with boots-on-the-ground experience. For those of you who’ve worked with or inside a mobile command setup—what gear, tools, or configurations have made a big difference during major incidents?

Whether it’s wildfire, structure fire, MCI, or all-hazard events, what are the must-haves? Think tech (e.g., drones, live mapping, comms redundancy), practical solutions (modular whiteboards, smart lighting, weatherproof canopies), or even the small stuff that just makes life easier under pressure.

Also curious if anyone’s done something custom or improvised that turned out to be a game-changer. Pics welcome if you've got a cool rig or layout to show off.

Appreciate any insights you’ve got!

Stay safe out there.

If you’re kicking it old school and using prusiks for progress capture. Do you do one or tandem?

I'm looking into purchasing my own helmet as I'm an instructor helping with our tech rescue class at our tech college. Looking for something budget friendly and comfortable enough to wear all day. Any recommendations?

I’m getting a set of 4’s and I’m just wondering the pros and cons of each

(REPOST from r/searchandrescue)

Wondering if anyone knows anything about the Australian Federal Police Search and Rescue. Ive searched online but can’t find anything about them. Only thing i know is that they have some sick trucks.

Whats the best resource for learning to build MA? It will not go into my head I dont know why. Can do 1:1/2:1/3:1 anything over that i seem to black out!