Improvised Rescue Techniques: When You Become the Search Team

When your hiking partner falls into a crevasse or gets trapped under a boulder, professional rescue is hours away. In these critical moments, you become the search and rescue team. Understanding improvised rescue techniques, mechanical advantage systems, and risk assessment can mean the difference between saving a life and creating two victims.

The Improvised Rescuer’s Mindset

Golden Rules of Self-Rescue:

1. Don’t create a second victim – You can’t help if you’re injured
2. Assess the entire situation – Look for all hazards
3. Work systematically – Panic kills
4. Communicate constantly – Keep victim informed
5. Document everything – For professional rescuers

Risk vs. Benefit Analysis:

Before attempting rescue ask:

• Is the victim in immediate life danger?
• Can I perform this rescue safely?
• Do I have the necessary skills/equipment?
• Am I making the situation worse?

Sometimes calling for help is the only safe option

Victim Assessment from Distance

Primary Survey (Shout from safe position):

• "Can you hear me?" (Consciousness)
• "Can you move your fingers/toes?" (Spinal injury)
• "Are you having trouble breathing?" (Airway/chest injury)
• "Where does it hurt?" (Injuries)

Mechanism of Injury Analysis:

• Fall from height: Spinal injuries likely
• Crushing: Internal injuries/bleeding
• Entrapment: Compartment syndrome risk
• Hypothermia exposure: Time-critical
• Avalanche burial: Asphyxiation priority

Self-Rescue Equipment Assessment

What You Likely Have:

• Rope or webbing
• Carabiners
• Trekking poles
• Backpack straps
• Clothing/jackets
• Multi-tool or knife
• Headlamp

Improvised Tools:

• Pulleys: Carabiners
• Anchors: Trees, rocks, ice axes
• Padding: Clothing, packs
• Levers: Trekking poles, branches
• Handles: Pack straps, clothing

Mechanical Advantage Systems

Understanding Force Multiplication:

Simple 1:1 system: Your 150 lbs = 150 lbs pull
2:1 pulley: Your 150 lbs = 300 lbs pull
3:1 Z-pulley: Your 150 lbs = 450 lbs pull

More advantage = more rope needed

Basic 2:1 Haul System:

Setup:

1. Secure rope to victim
2. Run rope through carabiner at anchor
3. Attach progress-capture device
4. Pull down on free end

Advantages: Doubles your pulling power
Disadvantages: Need twice as much rope

The Z-Pulley (3:1 System):

When to Use: Heavy victim, long haul, limited strength

Setup (Requires 3 carabiners):

1. Anchor rope at top
2. Clip carabiner to load rope
3. Run rope through anchor carabiner
4. Back through load carabiner
5. Pull on free end

Critical: Requires progress-capture system

Crevasse Rescue

Immediate Actions:

1. Self-arrest to stop your fall
2. Check your own safety first
3. Establish secure anchor
4. Communicate with victim

Setting Up the Rescue:

Anchor Building:

• Deadman anchor in snow
• Multiple ice axes
• Snow bollard
• Whatever is strongest available

Haul System:

• 3:1 Z-pulley most efficient
• Use pack as progress capture
• Pad rope edges (prevent cutting)
• Have victim help if able

Critical Considerations:

• Victim may be hypothermic
• Equipment may be damaged
• Weather deteriorating
• Your own exhaustion

Cliff Rescue Scenarios

Fallen Climber (Conscious):

1. Secure yourself to reliable anchor
2. Lower rope or throw rope bag
3. Communicate rescue plan
4. Set up haul system if needed
5. Assess injuries before moving

Rappel Rescue (Advanced):

Only if trained and equipped:

• Rappel to victim’s location
• Assess and stabilize injuries
• Rig hauling system from below
• Counter-balance rappel with victim

Risk: Creates two people needing rescue

Boulder/Rock Entrapment

Leverage Principles:

Class 1 Lever: Fulcrum between effort and load
Class 2 Lever: Load between fulcrum and effort
Class 3 Lever: Effort between fulcrum and load

Safe Lifting Technique:

1. Crib as you lift – place rocks/wood immediately
2. Never put body parts under load
3. Work incrementally – small lifts with immediate support
4. Multiple people coordinate – one lifts, one cribs
5. Prepare for sudden shifts

Improvised Levers:

• Long sturdy branches
• Trekking poles (be careful – may break)
• Ice axes
• Ski poles

Fulcrum Materials:

• Stable rocks
• Logs
• Packs (if strong enough)
• Ice axes planted in snow

Water Rescue Situations

Swift Water Victim:

From shore (safest):

1. Reach: Extend branch, trekking pole
2. Throw: Rope, pack, anything that floats
3. Row: Use improvised flotation
4. Go: Last resort, with flotation

Ice Rescue:

If someone falls through ice:

1. Don’t approach the hole
2. Distribute your weight (lie flat)
3. Use rope or long object to reach victim
4. Pull victim up onto ice surface
5. Roll away from hole (don’t stand)

Avalanche Rescue

The 15-Minute Rule:

• 92% survival if found in 15 minutes
• 37% survival after 35 minutes
• Must work fast and efficiently

Strategic Shoveling:

1. Probe systematically around last seen point
2. Convey snow downhill (don’t shovel uphill)
3. Multiple people: one probes, others dig
4. Clear airway first when you find victim
5. Be prepared for CPR

Beacon Search Pattern:

If you have avalanche transceivers:

1. Signal search (follow arrow)
2. Coarse search (follow direction)
3. Fine search (grid pattern)
4. Pinpoint search (probe)

Medical Considerations During Rescue

Spinal Immobilization:

If spinal injury suspected:

• Maintain head/neck alignment
• Log-roll victim as unit
• Multiple people required
• Improvise spine board with pack

Hypothermia Management:

• Handle victim gently
• Insulate from ground
• Share body heat
• Prepare warm drinks
• Monitor for cardiac arrest

Shock Treatment:

• Elevate legs if no spinal injury
• Maintain body temperature
• Provide reassurance
• Monitor consciousness level

Communication and Documentation

Information for Professional Rescuers:

• Location: GPS coordinates, landmarks
• Victim condition: Consciousness, injuries, vital signs
• Mechanism: How injury occurred
• Resources: What you have available
• Access: How rescuers can reach you
• Weather: Current and forecast conditions

Communication Methods:

• Cell phone (try different locations)
• Satellite messenger
• Personal locator beacon
• Signal mirror
• Fire/smoke
• Ground signals for aircraft

When NOT to Attempt Rescue

Abort Mission If:

• You don’t have necessary skills
• Equipment is insufficient
• Weather conditions deteriorating
• Multiple hazards present
• You’re becoming exhausted
• Risk exceeds potential benefit

Sometimes the bravest decision is to wait for professional help

Team Rescue Dynamics

Assigning Roles:

• Team Leader: Makes decisions, coordinates
• Primary Rescuer: Hands-on rescue work
• Anchor/Safety: Manages safety systems
• Communications: Contacts professional help
• Medical: Treats victim once rescued

Communication Protocols:

• Clear, simple commands
• Acknowledge all instructions
• Stop work if unclear
• Regular safety checks

Post-Rescue Priorities

Immediate Actions:

1. Assess and treat injuries
2. Prevent heat loss
3. Prepare for evacuation
4. Document incident
5. Care for rescue team (exhaustion, stress)

Psychological Support:

• Expect emotional responses
• Provide reassurance
• Keep victim informed
• Address fears honestly
• Seek counseling later

Training and Preparation

Skills to Develop:

• Basic knot tying
• Anchor building
• Pulley systems
• Risk assessment
• Wilderness first aid
• Self-rescue techniques

Mental Preparation:

• Visualize scenarios
• Practice with equipment
• Understand your limitations
• Build decision-making skills
• Train with partners

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Good Samaritan Laws:

• Protect rescuers acting reasonably
• Don’t cover reckless behavior
• Vary by jurisdiction
• Document actions taken

Ethical Obligations:

• Rescue within your abilities
• Don’t abandon victim
• Seek professional help
• Provide honest assessment
• Continue care until relieved

The Harsh Reality

Most wilderness rescues require professional teams:

• Technical rope rescue
• Helicopter evacuation
• Medical stabilization
• Specialized equipment

Your role may be:

• Initial stabilization
• Preventing further injury
• Providing comfort
• Guiding professional rescuers

Prevention is Key

Best rescue is avoiding the need for one:

• Travel with experienced partners
• Carry proper safety equipment
• Know your limitations
• Practice safe traveling techniques
• Have emergency communication
• File trip plans

The Bottom Line

Improvised rescue techniques can save lives, but they can also create additional victims. The decision to attempt rescue versus calling for professional help requires honest assessment of your skills, equipment, and the risks involved.

Remember: Heroes don’t die trying. They succeed by making smart decisions, working systematically, and knowing when to wait for help. Your first responsibility is to yourself—you can’t save anyone if you become a victim too.