Written By: Jeffrey Scott

You must have an emergency rescue plan included work plan. It is best if you always have someone on site who can safely perform a pick off rescue. If you are just gonna wait for the fire dept. to show up be aware:

In the event that assisted rescue by means of suspension must be performed, it is vitally important that all parties involved (on site employees, facilities personnel and emergency medical personnel) have a clear awareness and understanding regarding orthostatic intolerance, suspension trauma and the site-specific situation at hand.

Below is a list of recommendations to reference during assisted rescue:

A person who is unconscious while suspended from their PFAS (Personal Fall Arrest System) must be rescued immediately and safely as possible.

A person who is conscious while suspended from their PFAS and cannot immediately perform self-rescue, instruct them to elevate their legs and contract their leg muscles periodically until help arrives.

Be aware of signs and symptoms pertaining to orthostatic intolerance such as breathlessness, dizziness, faintness, hot flashes, increased heart rate, loss of vision, nausea, paleness, sweating, unusually low blood pressure and unusually low heart rate.

Be aware of factors that may affect the degree of risk pertaining to suspension trauma such as blood loss, cardiovascular disease, dehydration, fatigue, hypothermia, inability to move legs, injuries during fall, pain, respiratory disease and shock.

Once the person is rescued and lowered to the ground floor level, DO NOT allow them to lie flat, unless CPR is required, or stand up.

For a semi-conscious or unconscious person who has already been placed in a horizontal position, follow standard first-aid guidelines. DO NOT raise the rescued employee back to the sitting or standing position.

If the person is unconscious, keep their air passages open and follow standard procedures for ABC’s.

Administer only minimal fluid via IV administration in the absence of blood lose. After 20 – 40 minutes following the rescue and fluid administration, the rate of infusion can be increased to facilitate dieresis, as renal failure is a common complication.

Hypoglycemia should be corrected with an IV bolus of 25 grams of 50% dextrose-in-water.

Monitor the ECG for electrical abnormalities, such as hyperkalemia, peaked T waves, prolonged QT intervals, widened QRS complexes etc.

Monitor the blood pressure. Hypertension may indicate hyperkalemia and the onset of crush syndrome.

Consider additional drugs such as IV biocarbonate, calcium chloride, albuterol or insulin.

Transport the rescued person in a sitting position for at least 30 minutes post-release from the vertical motionless position.

SPRAT and/or IRATA certification
is priceless.

Need high rise window cleaning training? 

Contact Jeffrey Scott

(608) 770-0791
jscott@greenwindowcleaning.net
highrisedescender@yahoo.com
www.greenwindowcleaning.net

Jeff is certified IRATA level 2 & SPRAT level 2. Belongs to the IWCA Board of Directors/ Education Committee Chair. Has over 20 years of window cleaning experience and high rise experience. And is a candidate for the SPRAT Board of Directors.

What’s going on in at the IWCA (International Window Cleaners Association) in New Orleans, LA (NOLA) ? Are you there? What do you see? New Products? Cool Tools?

Let us know by posting pictures or videos on our Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/JRacensteinCo

What is this event? Read about it here: http://www.iwca.org/2012Conference

AJ Lopata is a window cleaner who started his business in 1989. He was working for a company with an older window cleaner who had some side jobs and was convinced to pick up some side jobs of his own. So he did and soon he had enough jobs to quit working for that company and start his own business. His company now specializes in Commercial High Rise.

He recently attended the IWCA Safety Seminar is Pittsburgh because hes been a member since 1991 and was happy to support them in his home town. He brought 6 employees with him for safety training and wanted them to learn and live that safety begins with each person. That the importance of a written plan of service and inspection of equipment is critical in this industry.

When comparing the cost of the training to the value to what was learned, it was worth every penny! He thinks the water-fed pole is the best new thing in the industry to him although, his favorite is the 18in Brass Squeegee. For all the new guys getting into the business, his advice is to first work for a residential or commercial company, get educated then start your own business and join the IWCA.

Check out his website: http://www.ajwindow.com/

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