After a 6 am tailboard, we ran a timed bucket rescue on the 40’ training pole behind the yard. I clocked 3:31 from first call to ground using the Buckingham rescue kit, a snatch block off the boom, and a Munter hitch on the line. We verified the open point, checked tags, and I double-checked Class 2 glove dates plus a quick rope/anchor inspection — trying to make the safety steps automatic so the speed comes from being smooth. Felt good about the reps and I want to stack some book work on top. For continuing ed, I’m torn between a rigging/mechanical advantage refresher, transformer banking math, or a URD fault-locating class. If you’ve taken something recently that tied directly back to safer, more efficient aloft work (especially rescue), which course would you pick next?
Pre-rig an HMS biner with a Munter in the kit and keep a dedicated boom sling for the snatch block anchor; it shaved about 20 seconds for us. I also tie an overhand stopper in the tail so no one dumps the load when hands get fumbly.
We shaved about 20 seconds by marking the rescue rope at the 40’ drop with red tape and keeping a short tagline on the victim’s dorsal D-ring so the first clip is blind-easy with gloves on. For training, NLC’s aerial rescue workshop day gave us timed scenarios with boom angle changes that felt close to field conditions.