ArmenianAccident Highlights Need for Confined Space Rescue
OnAugust 12, 2011 an Armenian woman fell into a manhole near a trainstation in the capital city of Yerevan. The 34 year-old womansurvived the fall with no serious injuries and was pulled from themanhole by witnesses. Yet the accident highlights the need forcompetent and trained confined space rescue crews in the world'smajor cities. For this woman, had she been seriously injured in afall, confined space rescue would have been her best hope ofsurvival.
Confinedspace rescue is a very specific type of rescue which uses specializedequipment and techniques to extract victims from confined spaces,while reducing the potential for further injury. It is not somethingthat is done recklessly and without proper consideration of theaccident victim and his or her surroundings. In the case of theArmenian woman, some of the things that might have been done had shebeen injured would include a preliminary medical evaluation, and theinstallation and use of a confined space rescue davit or tripod.
RescueDavits andTripods
Inall likelihood the woman could have been removed from the manholeusing a simple rescue tripod. The tripod is typically made of highstrength aluminium which is a lightweight yet incredibly strong. Thistype of rescue device is easily portable by fire and policedepartments and can be set up in a short amount of time. And sincemost of tripods can withstand up to 3,000 pounds of full force, theyare suitable for extracting the average victim from a manhole.
Whereheavier loads or a more flexible extraction is needed, a rescue davitis a better choice. Rescue davits use a cantilever arm suspended oneither a permanent fixture or portable stand.
Rescueapparatus such as tripods and davits are most often used inconjunction with motorized winches, fall arrest blocks, and harnessesor stretchers. The tripod or davit provides a stable platform forfoisting mechanisms used to pull people to safety. The idea behindthem is to centre and the rescue line in relation to the access holeso that the line makes no contact with the edge of the access itself,thus preventing friction or breakage.
Speedis of the Essence
Althoughthe Armenian woman was pulled from the manhole by witnesses, thingscould have a much worse. Had she broken some ribs or a leg in thefall, or even been knocked unconscious, the bystanders would not havebeen any help. In that case, the speed of rescuers is critical. Thesooner they can be on scene and setting up equipment the better it isfor victims. This is why rescue units routinely train for confinedspace rescues.
Itis fortunate that this young woman survived her fall largelyunscathed. But it's also good to know that had she suffered anyserious injuries a trained rescue crew was on its way. Better forthem to arrive on the scene and have nothing to do than not arrive atall.