[Jimmy D]

Looking for input on the best way to develop a pilot based rescue system. I know some will say leave it to the pros, but the pros can be hard to find. We should get certified and teach our ranks. It doesn't come up often but when it does it would be nice to be able to respond safely and quickley for both the victim and our sport. Of course prevention is the best, but in the event...

[keithps]

[Jimmy D]

Thanks Keith just the kind of advise I was looking for>

[NMERider]

[jjcote]

[gasdive]

Slightly off topic but I know people who carry those foil blankets as well. Good for people who are in shock or who land out in cold conditions. Again light, non perishable and sometimes useful. I also carry a mobile phone and a UHF radio.

=:)

[keithps]

[peanuts]

prepare for heresey: peeps must first learn to do a proper tree landing. there is a right way and all the other ways.

[jjcote]

[Wingspan34]

Lots of good answers here. Certainly, if someone who lands in a tree, is still in the tree and injured, professional rescuers should be called. Or, if fellow hang glider pilots get them down they should be professionally trained in doing so.

Having said that, it's also important to know (as peanuts suggested) the best way to do a tree landing if one becomes inevitable. And as jjcote said, it's good to be prepared before hand (with something as simple as a roll of dental floss) for a tree landing.

My experience involves about 12 tree landings in my early years of flying. That may sound scary, but tree landings aren't necessarily as bad as they sound. Some were almost fun.

BUT, you can die doing one the wrong way - and maybe even trying to do one the right way.

The biggest danger is hitting the tree and falling out, or grazing or clipping the tree and then stalling/falling to the ground below. I've never landed in a tree (staying there) and been hurt. I've been slightly hurt (sprained ankle) once when I hit the side of a fairly short scraggly pine tree after which my glider slid to the ground ~ 10 feet below. I got a nice bruise once from clipping the top of a tree, flipping over and falling into the woods below. In both those cases it wouldn't have taken much to "rescue" me if I'd been hurt more seriously - because when I stopped, I was on the ground.

From every tree landing I can remember (both mine and others) I can't recall even one, where the pilot (who's glider stayed in the tree) suffered any injuries at all. Gliders have often been broken, but no pilots that I can think of. So, it's probably not very likely that someone will have to deal with a significantly injured pilot stuck in a tree. But it could happen.

Now, if you have a healthy pilot stuck in a tree, what are some good ways to get them down?

Well, jjcote's suggestion of the pilot carrying dental floss to lower down in order to haul back up a beefier rope is a great idea. Some other good ideas include being able to get a good ladder to the scene.

Pilots who are trained and experienced in tree work (i.e., a tree surgeon) are good to have on scene - if you've got them. Tree climbing gear, including proper safety equipment, is a great idea.

As long as the glider/pilot are stable, then taking your time and working out a good plan of attack is a very important goal. If the glider/pilot are not stable in the tree then proper and swifter action may be necessary.

It will probably be obvious to the pilot to do all they can at their end to (one way or the other) secure themselves into/onto the tree. Luckily, hang gliders are often very good at getting solidly snagged in trees. Hang gliders and trees are almost like the hook and loop of Velcro.

Now, let's say, you don't have a ladder, the pilot doesn't have any dental floss, and the lowest limbs of the tree are too high to reach to begin climbing up to the pilot. An essential thing to have is a good length of climbing rope. Another is some good, solid cord (up to 200 feet) with a "casting weight" attached to one end. This last item is to be used in the opposite direction of the dental floss, with the idea being to toss the weighted end of the cord up to the pilot - or at least to limb from where a rescuer can then proceed to (or near) the pilot.

Once the lighter cord is gotten to the pilot, the climbing rope can be attached on the ground end of the cord and hauled up by the pilot.

If the best option looks to be getting a rescuer into the tree, then get the light cord tossed over a good solid limb. Then giggle the weight so that the cord lowers back down to the ground and attach your climbing rope hauling it back up and over the limb.

You could do something as simple as tying a loop in the climbing rope end, putting a foot into it and having helpers hoist the tree climber up into the tree. The less experienced a group is at such things, the more caution should be taken. Getting pros to the accident site should always be a solid option - maybe even the first choice.

BTW - Tossing a weighted cord accurately up into a tree is not an easy thing. I've gained some skill at it after working out a system for placing temporary (hunting) tree stands into trees. It's a very good idea to make up a rig and practice with it, so you're good with it when, or if, you ever need it. The weight you use is even important. I've found that a weight that's a little over half a pound works well attached to 3/16" Dacron (batten) cord. The weight should be fairly smooth so it is less likely to get snagged. I use a large (nearly 4" long with a 3/4 inch shank) bolt with a beefy eye bolt tapped into the narrow shank end. It works very well.

[pjwings]

So I am formulating some ideas about what the proper way to land in a tree is... but rather than voice my conjectures I would like to hear from you guys what you consider to be proper tree landing technique?

[Nate]

May be best to leave aerial rescue to the pros. 1st step of rescue is not to make another accident.

http://www.sherrilltree.com/Professional-Gear/BIGshot

http://www.sherrilltree.com/Professional-Gear/Lines-and-Weight-Combos

I doubt proper techniques or equipment are practical for HG clubs and most emergency/first responders don't have a clue either. Probably best to call a local arborist.

If you want to throw a line into a tree to set a climbing line, fastest way to ascend with minimal gear is footlocking. Just need to connect yourself with a prussik for fall protection..... decend on a fig 8 or a muenter hitch.

[blindrodie]

Get a hold of the Gang in Oklahoma and Arkansas! They know how to do it. Been practicing for years...

[peanuts]

used to fly a mite up in Pa. anytime one of the windriders done the stoopid, the Amish were the first on the scene. they were better than any of the tree surgeons or coon hunters i see around nowadays. the Amish could have a pilot and glider out in minutes. my one and only tree landing (not Pa, but NM) came after i tried to cross about 12-15 mis. of forested land at the end of a little flight. ended up about 50 yds short. when it became apparent that i was gonna do the tree thing, i actively sought out a low bushy candidate, and aimed fer that sucker. perfect no-step landing on top of the tree, then grabbed hold of the tree while the glider settled in. did my own rescue and retrieve and hiked out in about half hour. driver never woulda found me iffin i didn't do that landing right.

[DanTuck]

[NMERider]

[bentupright]

[bentupright]

JJ wrote
"Put a 55-yard spool of waxed floss in your harness now if you don't already have some. Everybody! Worked for me last summer, and there's absolutely no downside to having it."
_________________
Noman has been known to carry a string bikini in his harness, Does that count?

[jjcote]

[TN_Steve]

It's Simple....