Brand
Estex
Estex makes training gear that tree crews use to practice aerial rescue. The best known Estex product among arborists is Fred the rescue dummy, a weighted stand-in for an injured climber.
- Fred the rescue dummy
- Aerial rescue training for tree crews
- Arborist safety training gear
Estex
Estex Polycomb Insert 1-Man Bucket Truck Cover, 28 x 34
A fitted cover with a stiffening insert for 28 x 34 in one-man aerial lift buckets.
Estex
Estex Polycomb Insert for 1-Man Bucket Truck Cover
A stiff Polycomb insert that helps a 1-man Estex bucket cover hold its shape.
About Estex
Aerial rescue is one of those skills nobody wants to use and every crew needs to have. Practicing on a live volunteer limits how realistic the drill can be, so a lot of companies train with a rescue dummy instead. A dummy like Fred lets the crew rig, lift, and lower a dead weight in the tree, which is a lot closer to the real thing than talking it through on the ground.
Run rescue drills with a qualified trainer, set them up on sound trees and anchors, and follow the applicable standard (ANSI Z133 and your company's emergency plan). All life-support gear used during a drill, including the climber's saddle, rope, and hardware, must meet the applicable standard, be inspected before use, and be used by trained people. Check the dummy itself for wear and damage, and keep it out of the weather between sessions so it lasts.