Earlier today, Arc’teryx shared a story about Canada’s RONIN Rescue being the first North American team to compete in the annual GRIMP DAY (Group de Recconnaissance Interventione Millieux Perilleux) held in Belgium. This year’s event was in June and saw 34 international teams of rescue workers consisting of police, army, and civil defense experts competing in a number of rope rescue scenarios.
If I’d say, I have one take away from the article, it would be, “Vive le Difference”. Not only do we have different protocols here in Canada and the US than those in Europe but the environments are somewhat different as well. Differences in TTPs served as both help and hindrance for Team RONIN Rescue. Initially, the them used North American safety protocols to rig their systems but found themselves falling behind by mid-day as they negotiated six different scenarios. But their different point of view also helped them.
“There’s no wide stairways and elevator access to transport your gear; anchor points are very different. So we adapted,’ explains team leader Kevin Ristau. “For example, we approached a parking lot extraction like a confined space scenario, raising and lowering our patient on a 4:1 mechanical advantage system. No other team even thought to approach the location in that manner. We gained time with that one.’
As for how Arc’teryx fits in to, they provided some great clothing for the team.
This kind of out of the box thinking is what Arc’teryx is all about. “These guys operate at the very highest level of skills and resourcefulness. It’s a privilege to work with them,’ says James Bronson, Arc’teryx Pro and Industry Sales Supervisor. Bronson supported each member of the team with a Heli Guide Jacket in addition to the Talos LT Halfshell and Drac Pant from Arc’teryx LEAF (Law Enforcement Armed Forces).
To read the whole piece visit www.arcteryx.com/Article.aspx?EN&article=GRIMP-DAY-Canadian-Style
-L Graves
