SPRAT (for a climbing arborist)

[COtreerat]

Has anyone here had the opportunity to go through the SPRAT training? If so, I’d like to know if there’s any correlation or techniques that I could take from it and apply to my tree climbing skills?? I’m thinking aerial rescue/ modern SRS techniques. Thanks!!

 

[agent_smith]

Hello COtreerat,
'Rope access' (ISO 22846) is a very specialized form of working at height.
The ISO standard requires the operator to be attached to two (2) ropes at all times (or anchored to 2 independent anchor points at all times).
For example, during a rope access assessment (either IRATA or SPRAT) - if a trainee is seen to be suspended/attached/anchored on only one (1) rope - even for a moment - it results in a fail.

This subtle but important distinction creates problems for tree climbing arborists who also wish to comply with the ISO 22846 standard). While both involve height and gravity - the PPE and techniques are markedly different.
Arborist PPE and techniques have been developed to allow a high degree of mobility - and fine adjustment to maintain balance - in the tree canopy.
Rope access operators generally don't need such a high degree of mobility and fine control. Yes - they do need to have mobility - just not to the same degree as a tree climbing arborist.

Your question comprised 'correlation' and 'techniques'.
The only correlation is that both involve gravity and height.
The PPE (eg a harness) is different. Arborists need a harness with a 'bridge' - rope access operators prefer a hard 'D ring'. Rope access workers only use full body harnesses (never just a lower body harness).
In terms of techniques - they are different because the nature of the work and environment is significantly different.
Keep in mind that rope access operators generally have foot access to the 'top' of their work area. And their anchors are generally engineered/rated (eg eye bolts, steel beams) and a recent test tag. Arborists will be anchoring to vegetation (ie a tree) that has no engineering rating or a test tag. Arborists generally dont have foot access to their anchor points (they will have to shoot a cast line over a branch and then use that to deploy a climbing rope).

Further supporting commentary:

Tree climbing arborists will routinely be suspended/attached by only one (1) rope - for example, while ascending from the ground to reach their target work position - they will typically be suspended/attached to only one (1) rope (or one anchor).
Arborists will (or might) only use 2 ropes (or 2 separate/independent) anchors when:
[ ] mobile / maneuvering in the tree canopy
[ ] when performing a cut (particularly with a powered tool)

Rope access operators will use a twin rope suspension system (or 2 independently attached anchors) when:
[ ] always - there is never a time when a rope access operator is suspended or anchored by only one (1) rope.

One of the ropes is designated for fall-arrest - and a guided type fall-arrester device runs up/down the fall-arrest rope (eg a Petzl ASAP + energy absorber).

Arborists like to use slide and grip hitches as part of their life critical attachment at height.
Rope access operators use proprietary mechanical devices for life critical attachment at height.
(a slide and grip hitch has no EN / ANSI / NFPA compliance marking).

A further complicating factor is that rope access operators need devices that are certified for a 2 person load (rescue purposes). Arborist devices such as the 'Rope Runner Pro' are not rated for a 2 person load.

...

From a rescue viewpoint - that is, trying to egress from the tree canopy with an unconscious patient - requires a solid skillset and appropriate PPE/equipment. An unconscious patient is not in control of his airway - and so an accompanied descent is a realistic proposition. An arborist attempting to perform a rescue would need to consider the consequences of a 2 person payload on whatever gadget/system they are using. Keep in mind that there may not be a clear and unobstructed pathway to the ground. There are ways to try to avoid a full 2 person load on their descent system but, the person performing the rescue must weigh their options in a time critical situation (eg patient airway compromised, major bleeding, shock, etc).

In rope access work - rescue is embedded into their work plans and everything is pre-deployed and ready for immediate use. Or, the way in which the twin ropes are setup and deployed has in-built rescue capability.
Rope access operators are not permitted to work alone - it is a breach of the ISO standard.

...

I also think a lot of tree climbing arborists wish to avoid the ISO 22846 standard because it would place too many constraints on their work at height. On the other hand, I know that IRATA/ SPRAT would like to capture tree climbing arborists under their umbrella...

The current status Quo is that ISO 22846 does not specifically intend to capture tree climbing arborists under its scope.

 

[Jackohh1412]

Hello COtreerat,
'Rope access' (ISO 22846) is a very specialized form of working at height.
The ISO standard requires the operator to be attached to two (2) ropes at all times (or anchored to 2 independent anchor points at all times).
For example, during a rope access assessment (either IRATA or SPRAT) - if a trainee is seen to be suspended/attached/anchored on only one (1) rope - even for a moment - it results in a fail.

This subtle but important distinction creates problems for tree climbing arborists who also wish to comply with the ISO 22846 standard). While both involve height and gravity - the PPE and techniques are markedly different.
Arborist PPE and techniques have been developed to allow a high degree of mobility - and fine adjustment to maintain balance - in the tree canopy.
Rope access operators generally don't need such a high degree of mobility and fine control. Yes - they do need to have mobility - just not to the same degree as a tree climbing arborist.

Your question comprised 'correlation' and 'techniques'.
The only correlation is that both involve gravity and height.
The PPE (eg a harness) is different. Arborists need a harness with a 'bridge' - rope access operators prefer a hard 'D ring'. Rope access workers only use full body harnesses (never just a lower body harness).
In terms of techniques - they are different because the nature of the work and environment is significantly different.
Keep in mind that rope access operators generally have foot access to the 'top' of their work area. And their anchors are generally engineered/rated (eg eye bolts, steel beams) and a recent test tag. Arborists will be anchoring to vegetation (ie a tree) that has no engineering rating or a test tag. Arborists generally dont have foot access to their anchor points (they will have to shoot a cast line over a branch and then use that to deploy a climbing rope).

Further supporting commentary:

Tree climbing arborists will routinely be suspended/attached by only one (1) rope - for example, while ascending from the ground to reach their target work position - they will typically be suspended/attached to only one (1) rope (or one anchor).
Arborists will (or might) only use 2 ropes (or 2 separate/independent) anchors when:
[ ] mobile / maneuvering in the tree canopy
[ ] when performing a cut (particularly with a powered tool)

Rope access operators will use a twin rope suspension system (or 2 independently attached anchors) when:
[ ] always - there is never a time when a rope access operator is suspended or anchored by only one (1) rope.

One of the ropes is designated for fall-arrest - and a guided type fall-arrester device runs up/down the fall-arrest rope (eg a Petzl ASAP + energy absorber).

Arborists like to use slide and grip hitches as part of their life critical attachment at height.
Rope access operators use proprietary mechanical devices for life critical attachment at height.
(a slide and grip hitch has no EN / ANSI / NFPA compliance marking).

A further complicating factor is that rope access operators need devices that are certified for a 2 person load (rescue purposes). Arborist devices such as the 'Rope Runner Pro' are not rated for a 2 person load.

...

From a rescue viewpoint - that is, trying to egress from the tree canopy with an unconscious patient - requires a solid skillset and appropriate PPE/equipment. An unconscious patient is not in control of his airway - and so an accompanied descent is a realistic proposition. An arborist attempting to perform a rescue would need to consider the consequences of a 2 person payload on whatever gadget/system they are using. Keep in mind that there may not be a clear and unobstructed pathway to the ground. There are ways to try to avoid a full 2 person load on their descent system but, the person performing the rescue must weigh their options in a time critical situation (eg patient airway compromised, major bleeding, shock, etc).

In rope access work - rescue is embedded into their work plans and everything is pre-deployed and ready for immediate use. Or, the way in which the twin ropes are setup and deployed has in-built rescue capability.
Rope access operators are not permitted to work alone - it is a breach of the ISO standard.

...

I also think a lot of tree climbing arborists wish to avoid the ISO 22846 standard because it would place too many constraints on their work at height. On the other hand, I know that IRATA/ SPRAT would like to capture tree climbing arborists under their umbrella...

The current status Quo is that ISO 22846 does not specifically intend to capture tree climbing arborists under its scope.

This was interesting thank you for the explanation and then I smiled cause then I remembered how bad ass we are as climbers lol (the rated tie ins got me)