In April of 2009 four of the INSAR team members completed the comprehensive Rigging for Rescue (RFR) course. One group of two INSAR members attended RFR in Libby Montana for three days of training hosted by David Thompson Search & Rescue and one group of two INSAR members attended RFR in Chinook Pass Washington for four days of training hosted by Central Washington Mountain Rescue.

Key themes during the Rigging for Rescue seminars are the encouragement of critical thinking, systems analysis and a questioning attitude. Transforming our knowledge of physics principles into practical working systems of greater safety, takes precedence over the introduction of gadgetry. As well as exploring efficient and effective raising and lowering systems, steep embankment evacuations, litter handling techniques and A-frames, the seminar will explain such concepts as:

• boinnnggg: misconceptions about rope stretch and peak force
• useful rope rescue physics principles
• the difference between simple, compound and complex pulley systems
• why many commonly used belay techniques are actually unsuitable for rescue-sized loads
• the mechanics of the Kootenay Highline System
• the realities of people's "real" gripping ability
• how equalizing anchor systems can be a misguided approach

INSAR now has five members that have completed this course and can take this information back to the team to continue to build the INSAR Mountain Rescue Unit.