Rescue Sleds?

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Originally Posted by goldenboy

I've only played around with Mark's larger offering- it works pretty well, including if you have to carry the victim. I would never carry it around with me, however.

https://functionbeforefashion.com/collections/all

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I really like the looks of this but boy, she chonky. Makes more sense for a pro hasty/lightweight team than the average rec user.

I'm going to give the Hyperlite one a go, I think

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Originally Posted by adrenalated

I really like the looks of this but boy, she chonky. Makes more sense for a pro hasty/lightweight team than the average rec user.

I'm going to give the Hyperlite one a go, I think

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I just got the hyperlite one, haven’t tested it yet but it seems great. The aluula fabric is good stuff. One thing though is folding it back into the stuffsack it comes in is impossible haha

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Originally Posted by mr_pretzel

I just got the hyperlite one, haven’t tested it yet but it seems great. The aluula fabric is good stuff. One thing though is folding it back into the stuffsack it comes in is impossible haha

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Are the snaps matched up to form a bothy, or just a bivy/wrap on the Hyperlite? I noticed they didn't bother to demo repacking in their video, so I suspected that it might be effectively impossible, and they didn't answer questions about either bothy or repacking.

I recently got Smilies, and I've been carrying Neil's Alpine Threadworms tarp for a while. I've used Neil's as a bivy overnight while skiing, and as a regular rectangular tarp and bothy other times. As much as I'd like to carry something lighter and more compact, I'm not sure I'm going to be grabbing Smilies as the flexibility of shelter is so much better, especially with often too shallow a snowpack to dig something useful.

We've got one of Hannah's Sew Alpine tarps for the SAR team to go out with a hasty team for an immediate patient moving and sheltering option, then as a hypo wrap until we can hike our full toboggan or litter in.

I've been keeping an eye on Gavin's Apocalypse Equipment rendition. Sounds like there is something even lighter/smaller coming down the pike.

Kyle's High Mtn Gear also has a heavier duty one worth considering now that Hannah is on break.

Has anyone played with a mesh bag to make repacking a tarp easier? It seems like often the issue with repacking a tarp down is the air trapped between the tarp and a bag. I've just been quickly rolling and ski strapping my tarp, but I may make stuff sack out of monolite to compare.

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Originally Posted by Tjaardbreeuwer

Based on that K2 set up, I drilled holes into the tips and tails of the ski’s that don’t have them (K2 still has them) and into shovel shaft and blade. Then I bought some stainless windbolts and wingnuts to bolt it all together (I figure regular steel would be rusted together if I ever need to use it years later.)
Sure, it might not be too hard to drill holes in the field, but it’s still one more step, and hard with cold hands. Why not do it at home, nice and warm, with a power drill? Then you can seal the holes too, to prevent water damage.

With this, I build the sled like they show. I figure the 4 bolts and nuts don’t weigh much, so it’s an easy decision to carry, and much easier and faster to assemble, and more reliable to use, than a sled design where everything is purely lashed together.

I am wanting to get one of the multi purpose fabric sled/shelter options out.

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The Mammut shovel shaft already has holes well aligned for this, if you aren't willing to drill into your shovel. Very clever or a convenient accident, I'm not sure.

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Originally Posted by mr_pretzel

I just got the hyperlite one, haven’t tested it yet but it seems great. The aluula fabric is good stuff. One thing though is folding it back into the stuffsack it comes in is impossible haha

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Hmmm, that would be a bit of a dealbreaker.

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Originally Posted by adrenalated

I really like the looks of this but boy, she chonky. Makes more sense for a pro hasty/lightweight team than the average rec user.

I'm going to give the Hyperlite one a go, I think

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Yeah, all the stuff he makes leans towards durability, not weight for sure.

And presumably Smileys (https://go.mtnsense.com) is the on the other end of the spectrum - most minimalist and Tyvek is fragile.
The weight and compactness is a big plus tho.
I think I'll go this route.

We just did a practice/training session with a bunch of these sleds. There’s still no perfect solution. Here were some take aways:

Smiley Tyvek thing: lightest, smallest. Fastest to rig. Easiest to haul due to slipperiness of Tyvek. Patient is very exposed. Wouldn’t work well as a shelter. Would take a Mylar rescue blanket/bivvy with this one at a minimum.

Kai Girard’s “Jackson Backcountry” rescue thread: 360g
Looks like Xpac fabric with bonded handles/tie in points + integrated Mylar thermoblanket wrap:
A really nice lightweight integrated solution. Seems like it would last in a real rescue. Mylar is cool, but is a plus/- being integrated into the sled. Easy to rig. Easy to pull.

Ortovox Bivvy/rescue tarp:
Unclear weight, but on the lighter end. A good bivvy sac/shelter. Tie in points look somewhat weak. Some people are using a sheet bend or clove to capture the fabric directly.

Alpine thread works:
Kinda bulky, medium heavy, unclear durability vs the xpac fabric in Kai’s sled which is lighter and much more compact. Can make a great shelter. Good tie in points.

Function before fashion:
I own one of these. It is chonky. It is bomber. If I actually have to move someone any appreciable distance, this is what I want. Might be my sled of choice in the middle of nowhere/somewhere I may need to go through rough terrain. Excellent for building a shelter.

The hyperlite looks like it could be the perfect balance of weight/durability..


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Just a warning to replace your Mylar rescue blankets regularly. I pulled one out this fall, and it tore into 2” strips where it had been folded. Not sure how old it was. Luckily, it was not that could and someone had a spare jacket for the injured person.

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Originally Posted by Tjaardbreeuwer

Just a warning to replace your Mylar rescue blankets regularly. I pulled one out this fall, and it tore into 2” strips where it had been folded. Not sure how old it was. Luckily, it was not that could and someone had a spare jacket for the injured person.

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I started using a sharpie to write the date of purchase on them for this exact reason. Didn't realize they apparently have a shelf life.

Those of you that carry a rescue sled, I assume that it’s group gear, as in no need for multiples within one party? Also, do you have days you don’t carry it? For instance, touring somewhere that you know SAR would be available within a few hours?

I’m looking at options for a rescue sled to leave in a backcountry ski cabin. This seems burly and reasonably affordable, just wondering if anyone has any experience or thoughts regarding it’s functionality?

https://www.amazon.ca/Portable-Multi...f&gad_source=1

We use the cascade rescue sked. Works well for a lightweight litter.
https://cascade-rescue.com/skedco-sk...etcher-system/

I would be cautious with the Chinese knock-off for any high angle or heli lifting of the stretcher. Probably fine for ground transport for at least one use.

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Originally Posted by zion zig zag

Those of you that carry a rescue sled, I assume that it’s group gear, as in no need for multiples within one party? Also, do you have days you don’t carry it? For instance, touring somewhere that you know SAR would be available within a few hours?

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I would consider it group gear for sure. I usually treat group gear as "if I have it, the group has it."

My plan for a rescue sled is it'll always be with me, but not necessarily ON me. It might stay in the car if I'm touring close to the road. It might stay on the sled if I'll be touring close to that. I'll carry it if I'm going to be more remote, and especially if it's just me and a single partner.

I carry an Alpine Threadworks rescue sled whenever I’m in the backcountry on foot or snowmobile. I’ve trained with it a bunch and have had to drag someone out with one just one time. They make for great improvised shelters or even just a wind break when needed. The new Hyperlite Mountain Gear tarp/sled looks like a nice incremental improvement.

I usually consider one tarp/sled per group as adequate unless the group is likely to split in the field. The biggest benefit I see from having it in case of real trauma is as a hypo wrap to keep the patient marginally warmer if possible.

Whatever you carry, make sure you’ve practiced with it and know what pieces you need to carry in your kit to actually make it work in the field.

I have a kit made by Donny Roth which is very similar to the brooks range sled I could sell if anyone is looking for that style. I just don’t carry it.

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Originally Posted by zion zig zag

Those of you that carry a rescue sled, I assume that it’s group gear, as in no need for multiples within one party? Also, do you have days you don’t carry it? For instance, touring somewhere that you know SAR would be available within a few hours?

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There's a ton of factors here. How many in the group or proximity to other groups to assist with an evacuation? Skiing with a larger group means higher likelihood of an injury (just more people to potentially get injured) but greater potential for being able to move the subject with a lot of people.

If just a pair of skiers: There's a lot of factors involved in how far one person can drag an injured person in the tarp (snow depth, terrain, size of each person, etc) Probably better off going for help in that situation. If you can reach SAR via Cell or satellite, you might be able to move the subject on the tarp to a more sheltered area if evacuation is going to be a while or an open area for heli-evac.

I finally received the Smiley tarp and it's only 7.5 oz. I see this going in the pack a lot. Photo attached for size reference.

Another option out of Quebec with some unique features.

Attachment 509956

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Originally Posted by Fenris

Attachment 509956

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Hadn’t really thought of that scenario. They’ve really got all the target markets covered.

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Originally Posted by Fenris

Another option out of Quebec with some unique features.

Attachment 509956

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Maybe a regional difference in protocols - in the States, the health insurance company usually handles dicking the victim after the incident. So the SAR team doesn't need to take care of it on-site.

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Originally Posted by Jason4

I carry an Alpine Threadworks rescue sled whenever I’m in the backcountry on foot or snowmobile. I’ve trained with it a bunch and have had to drag someone out with one just one time. They make for great improvised shelters or even just a wind break when needed. The new Hyperlite Mountain Gear tarp/sled looks like a nice incremental improvement.

I usually consider one tarp/sled per group as adequate unless the group is likely to split in the field. The biggest benefit I see from having it in case of real trauma is as a hypo wrap to keep the patient marginally warmer if possible.

Whatever you carry, make sure you’ve practiced with it and know what pieces you need to carry in your kit to actually make it work in the field.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN-5I9LQxeI

a good how-to by Neil Warren the maker of the packs and rescue tarps

he demo'ed it personaly for us during a down day at GAH

I jumped on one of his trips last minute, Neil runs a good fully catered and guided show which I could recommend