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Fall Protection Rescue Kit Buying Guide

Itâ€™s no secret that climbing towers for a living is a dangerous job. While we would all like to believe that accidents donâ€™t happen, we know they do. Being prepared for emergency situations is not only important but also required by law. Finding and sourcing all the equipment needed for your rescue â€œkitâ€ can take up too much of your time. Here at GME Supply, we know your time is valuable. Thatâ€™s why we carry a full selection of pre-assembled rescue kits. In this blog post, our Gear ExpertsÂ®Â are going to go over what things you need to look for in a rescue kit.

Rescue Kits

Rescue kits are fantastic because they include everything you need to perform a rescue. One important thing to point out is that not every rescue kit is going to be right for every rescue. Beyond that, there may be special circumstances that require additional equipment or highly specialized kits. We will cover that in more detail later. For now, letâ€™s focus on standard rescue kits.

Whatâ€™s Included

Most rescue kits are going to come with a standard set of equipment. However, it is important that you check and make sure the kit has the equipment you need and that it meets your specifications. The standard items that will come in nearly every kit are a rope, a rope bag, a descender, carabiners, a pick-off strapÂ (or haul system), and a sling.

What to Look For

What you need in your kit will be dependent on the situations you encounter the most. No two rescues are the same and that makes a kit that can cover every situation impossible to build. But, with a little help from our Gear ExpertsÂ®Â we can have you in compliance and ready to go with a safety plan. When looking for rescue kits there are many things to consider. Letâ€™s break down some of the key points that you need to consider before you purchase. Rope: When looking at the rope (lifeline) that the kit comes with some key things to look at are rope diameter, length, and color. For more about how to find the perfect rope, click here to check out our blog post all about rope. Rope Bag: Your rope bag helps you transport and protect your rope. Some things to consider about the rope bag are material, weather resistance, size, and color. We've got a blog post that covers rope bags, too. Click here to check it out! Descender:Â A descender is a convenient and intricate part of any rescue system. Some things to look for are features like anti-panic, rope compatibility, weight, and certifications. Carabiners: Carabiners are a versatile tool and have a range of functions. Things to look for in your rescue kit carabiners are gate style, size, certifications, and load ratings. Pick-Off Strap:Â Pick-off straps help you transfer a load during rescue situations. The most important things to consider for a pick-off strap is adjustable length and MBS. Haul System:Â A haul system can help prevent difficulties when performing a rescue. And when someoneâ€™s life is on the line ease of use can make all the difference. Some things to consider when looking at a haul system include ease of use, mechanical advantage, and details about the equipment utilized in the system.

Specialty and Custom Rescue Kits

Sometimes the jobs you perform are uncommon and require a specialty kit. We feature a selection of different rescue kits that are specialized for certain situations like self-rescues, wind rescue, and crane tech rescues. Â If you have a specific type of kit that you need built â€“ weâ€™ve got you covered there too. Our state of the art account management system allows us to create custom kits, built specifically to suit your needs. The benefit of this type of system is that next time you call in; you have the same pricing and the same products every time. You donâ€™t have to go through countless emails and talk to 5 different people to make sure that you are getting the exact same kit you got last time because we do that for you. Would you like to build your custom kit, looking to get some advice on which kit is best for your situation, or simply have questions? Click here to contact one of our Gear ExpertsÂ®. **The content of this blog is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturerâ€™s instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any fall protection equipment is used. â†’ Click here to see our full selection of Fall Protection Rescue Kits

Fall Protection Rescue Kits: Video

Gear Up with Gear Experts: The Podcast

We're also proud to announceÂ Gear Up with Gear ExpertsÂ®Â - A podcast dedicated to at-height, industry, and construction. Gear Up with Gear ExpertsÂ® will be coming to your ears in early 2019 and in each episode, the hosts (Alex Giddings & John Medina) bring in a gear expert or industry leader to talk about gear, gear safety, tips, and tricks. To find out more about the show, and sign up to get alerted when our first episode drops, head on over toÂ gearexperts.com. There's a trailer there too, so you can get a sneak peek of the show.