Interesting stuff. Of course one should never say never but.... I've never had to worry about a suspect anchor being used independently. Plus we typically have an oak tree somewhere you just have to fight through the scrub brush to get to it.

I would say currently a major influence on our region is a bunch of guys from cave rescue schools that are the more motivated members to organize training. Small compact knots and small light weight equipment are being pushed in the region. Of course it all works but this has some departments like mine with all NFPA rated gear setup different than some in the region. Our neighbors for example do not have NFPA rated gear and that causes issues since their gear for 11mm does not work with our 1/2" ropes. But both of us have enough gear that whoever starts the rescue really doesn't need to mix equipment. Just individual devices would have to be given to them to work off our rope. Our individual devices will work on their rope though just not as effecient.

we are really lucky here in NZ seeing as we only have one fire service for the whole country and my region write all of the height safety and line rescue regulations so we say what goes pretty much . it does help to make all of our paid staff and volunteer training the same as the guys like me on the advanced rescue team do the training around the region

sorry for the 2 year wait on the answer....stainless steel (if you can fine them) thimbles reduce the bend of the rope by redistributing the weight at the point of contact therefore saving the rope from unwanted damage

i actually got that in my advanced class as a nice to do