Returning for its third iteration, the Big Rescue Event was once again a vital training day for tree-climbing professionals – while helping to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
NOBODY wants disaster to strike. But if and when it does, every second counts.
It’s this basic premise that inspired the Big Rescue Event, the training day with a difference.
Now a key fixture in any tree climber’s calendar, the refresher returned this summer for its third iteration, giving arborists the chance to hone their skills while coining in much-needed cash for charity.
Taking place within the wonderful grounds at Compton Verney, Warwickshire, it was primarily aimed at climbers that already held the NPTC 206/306 (old CS38) ticket, with expert instructors demonstrating just what to do in an emergency situation, whether that’s in the canopy or up a pole. At the same time, £9,199 was raised for the Air Ambulance Service.
First taking place in 2018, the event is the brainchild of Chris Wyatt. Having spent nearly three decades in the arboriculture industry, from student through contract climbing to running his own company (CTS Forestry and Arboriculture), in recent years he has devoted more of his time to instructing and assessing for City & Guilds NPTC, with his main focus now on what he calls the safety side of the industry.
“We want to keep the skills there and to save lives,” he said. “Even before emergency strikes, we want to plan for the ‘what if’. What if the climber gets stuck?
What if something else happens? It’s the little tricks and tips we can pass on to prevent accidents. But then if an emergency were to happen, we want the rescue to take place smoothly and safely.
“We never want them to happen, but planning for rescue is one of the most essential things we can do in the industry.
“As an industry, it is trying to make sure we go home at the end of every day, and stay safe. We need to plan for accidents. We never want to have them, but we can save lives if we are prepared.
“People get stuck in trees. Sometimes it’s through little, tiny mishaps. Sometimes it’s a major incident. It’s about staying prepared and safe.”
At Compton Verney, participants were split into groups, each led by two industry assessors, for workshops and simulated rescues. In the field, groups practised canopy rescues, while on the other side of the lake, in woodland, the others worked on pole rescues. Halfway through the day, groups swapped, ensuring everyone had the chance to test themselves in multiple scenarios.
Attended by nearly 100 industry professionals from across the UK, the event – and its 22 assessors – also took a key look at climbing equipment and whether it could help in a rescue situation – or hinder efforts.
“One of the key things we are training here is that the rescuers don’t become a casualty themselves,” Chris said. “We are using up-to-date and up-to-standard techniques, which allow us to carry out rescue without the casualty being further injured, or the rescuer. That’s important.
“In the canopy in the main park, people are looking at the climber’s viability with climbing equipment. Is the equipment damaged or not? Can we use that equipment?
“A lot of the time when serious accidents happen, their equipment is unusable, meaning we are having to transfer casualties onto our equipment.
“Within the canopy, we have a lot more anchor points and a lot more availability.”
On how the event had evolved since it last took place in 2022, Chris said: “Nothing has really changed. There has been an influx of equipment. We are looking at a lot of access equipment, including mechanical devices.
“While they are safe to use, when it comes to working out rescues, can we use them? We need to look at the rating – so be very aware of using them in a rescue situation. Climbing as an industry within this industry is progressing. It is moving forward. There will always be similar elements.
“How we access trees has changed a little bit. More people are adapting to the SRT and moving rope techniques. Having days like this helps to learn new skills and update.”
The event was supported by a range of sponsors, including Stein, Fletcher Stewart, Gustharts, Honey Bros. and more.
Speaking on behalf of Fletcher Stewart, Peter Adams, business account manager, said: “Fletcher Stewart has tried to get involved in this event and get behind Chris, who is the organiser. We are helping to sponsor it because it is a good cause, supporting the air ambulance.
“We are providing sponsorship and help behind the scenes.
“Generally, in this industry when you get a ticket for whatever it may be you have that ticket and that’s it done. To have a refresher is not something that is really pushed in the industry.
“So, to have that is very advantageous for anyone who has come along.
“They can refresh themselves and pick up on anything that is new, technique-wise.
“Everyone is also getting together to talk to one another, and bounce ideas off one another. There’s a lot of camaraderie.
“There are not many places you can do that. This is something that has been successful in the past, and is continuing to grow.”
Like in previous editions, many sponsors provided prizes for the impressive raffle, tickets from which contributed to an incredible £9,199 for the Air Ambulance Service, which paid tribute on the day by making a surprise appearance towards the end of the event.
“I know of friends who have been airlifted by them,” Chris said. “There’s a young lad here today and it has taken him a lot to be here. He was airlifted two years ago, he’s done remarkably well to be here and to see all the arborists here. But they helped him.
“It’s not just arborists or foresters. It’s anyone working in remote locations who needs their help.
“Without support, it won’t happen. This event now is doing our little bit. We are hopefully preventing accidents and saving lives, while giving the Air Ambulance vital funds.”
George May, senior community fundraiser at the Air Ambulance Service, said: “It’s key. We can be off the ground within two minutes. When anyone is having any injury, it is very time sensitive.
“We don’t receive any government or National Lottery funding. We solely rely on events like this to keep our services going, and it is a life-saving service.”
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