Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lance Piatt on January 25, 2010 at 6:31pm

Hi Ben
We have worked with both the SMC Terradapter and RE Vortex; more so with the AZV. Give Matt a call at Rescue Response Gear (888 600 9116). I (Lance) have used the Terradapter twice with only basic configurations in mind. In comparisons, both do the exact same thing, however the SMC piece does allow for more precise (mapped out) configurations for out of the box rigging.

The Rock Exotica Vortex is an extremely cool and versatile piece of gear. The biggest thing is cost and the second is necessity. High directionals are truly the best way to keep the blood and guts from collecting at the edge, the question though... will you be willing to carry it? If it comes from a truck, to the edge and back, and you have the money... no brainer, buy one.

We use the Vortex a ton in both our film projects and SAR training. Our recent tree rescue video, we actually used the Mono Pod configuration to build "an elevator" system in the tree adjacent for filming the event. Very cool! Anyway, check out http://www.rescueresponse.com/store/videos_rope_rescue_techniques_e... and call Matt. Hope this helps.

Lance

Permalink Reply by Lance Piatt on January 26, 2010 at 11:36am

Ben, went through some notes in the office and found nothing on the Larkin. My knowledge on the product is text only and thus, the same as yours. Sorry I couldn't be more help on this. You might try talking with Rock himself. www.rockexotica.com


Lance

Permalink Reply by TrainingTECH1 on January 26, 2010 at 5:52pm

Ben,

I have experience using both devices.

Larkin Frame - Can be built in full scale or half scale (used half scale in a fire tower elevator prop..it was raining!). The full scale is well over 6' tall while the half is between 3-4 feet tall. Extremely easy to put together and rig (once you have practiced a few times). The dynamics of the device create a fail-safe in that it actually "wobbles" (like a weebel-wabble) AWAY from the edge. The feet can be pinned or otherwise anchored although there are some trade secrets if this is not possible. Too much to write about it and don't want folks going and trying it without proper training. If you want more info on that shoot me an email; I know you are more than capable of using these techiques. (jmatthews@technicalrc.com)

I like the Larkin. Makes rope based stokes rescues a breeze with regard to edge management. As you know, it tips over to clear the edge. It works every well in a wilderness/cliff environment (level base preferred); not so well when there is a parapet wall on top of a building. (I have used it in both environments)

Negatives are that it cannot be used with a tensioned rope system and it has a lot of pieces. Weight is also an issue. You must have the clearance to set it up.

AZ Vortex - I have used the old model (black and yellow); however, the old and the new really do about the same thing. These type of multi-pods take a lot of rigging, depending on configuration. The simplest way I used a vortex was bolting (and chaining) the feet to a roof top (the building was set for demo). Of course it can get much more complicated depending in the chosen set up (mono-pod, bi-pod, tri-pod). The more legs you add the easier it gets! Other than that, in basic terms, it's a large rigging plate. I am not a fan of the free-floating legs, This adds to the complication of rigging and set up. I have seen the whole thing slide and fall down striking a rescuer in the head. Granted they should have secured it better while rigging, but non the less it happened. Benefits are that this device works great to get tensioned rope systems off the ground. Negatives - You have to purchase leg extensions to make it tall enough to really work with it in some environments. I didn't have access to the extra legs and many time wished we had another 3' of rise.

The old vortex came in two bags; another con in my book. Not sure about the new one, but I assume it does too as it has even more peices.

I have also used the Terradaptor. It's a pretty good multi-pod. I like the fact that the legs actually secure in place and the foot design is incredible. However, it too is bulky, none of the pins are scured to the frame...I dropped one down an elevator shaft during the demo. But it does what they say it will. Lance makes a good point in that everything on the Terradaptor is marked/labeled, allowing you to map configurations for future setups.

FERNO Australia developed the Arachnipod; it is distributed by RescueTECH. I have played with it in the wharehouse, not in the field. It is easy to set up, comes in 1 case, the pins are secured to the legs...It has a lot of features that were pretty cool (has a bridge feature to span an opening and can be a quad-pod)Like the Terradaptor, everything is marked to make future setups a snap. I don't know how it behaves when loaded; Luke Dam posts on occasion and he has used this device a lot.

I hope this helps; drop me a note if you need more information.

Jeff

Permalink Reply by TrainingTECH1 on February 2, 2010 at 6:31pm

"However, that being said, I also believe that it comes down to proper training with the available equipment. If a rescuer can't take the time to master their techniques they shouldn't be playing with the expensive toys."

Well said.

Jeff