Fred the Rescue Dummy Rubber Filler

This rescue dummy filler is the rubber fill used to give Fred the rescue dummy its weight. Aerial rescue drills only teach the right lessons when the dummy is heavy enough to feel like a real person, and the filler is how you keep it that way.

Why the dummy's weight matters

Aerial rescue drills are about moving a limp, heavy person out of a tree or bucket. If the dummy is light, the lowering setup, the friction and the effort all feel easier than they will on a real day. Rubber filler brings the dummy up to a weight that makes practice honest.

Crews often add or remove fill to simulate different climbers, which is a good way to test a rescue system with more than one load. Check our fall protection section for the rescue and fall-arrest gear you train with.

Store the dummy dry between sessions. Moisture adds weight unevenly and can break down the fill and the dummy's covering over time. Check seams and closures before each drill so filler does not leak out mid-rescue, which is a mess to clean up and changes the weight halfway through the exercise.

Training notes

Drill aerial rescue on a regular schedule and with the gear you actually carry. Rig for the dummy as if it were a person, inspect all life-support equipment before use, and have a trained, qualified person run the session.

Follow ANSI Z133 and your employer's rescue plan. Confirm the filler amount and fit with the dummy's maker before filling.