• January 2003 - Unweighting a PCD .pdf file - New sequential article on releasing a Garda Hitch or similar PCD while it is under load (to accompany rescue course instruction).
• February 2003 - Basic Helicopter Safety Information Bulletin .pdf file - From the ACC Safety Committee via the Alpine Club of Canada website, NOT produced by Rescue Dynamics. If you find the Rescue Dynamics Helicopter Safety article too large and daunting to read, this synopsis gives you most of what you need to know.
• March 2003 - Rope .pdf file - An excellent booklet on ropes from Mammut via the Mammut website, NOT produced by Rescue Dynamics.
• April 2003 - GPS Guide for Beginners .pdf file - An excellent booklet on GPS from Garmin via the Garmin website, NOT produced by Rescue Dynamics.
• May 2003 - Using a Garmin (r) GPS with Paper Maps .pdf file - An excellent booklet on GPS from Garmin via the Garmin website, NOT produced by Rescue Dynamics.
• June 2003 - What Heavy Climbers Need To Know .pdf file - Results of drop tests by Pigeon Mountain Industries. An eye-opening paper from PMI via the American Safe Climbing Association website, NOT produced by Rescue Dynamics.
• July 2003 - Anchors in Earnest Version 2 .pdf file - Check 2004 Articles for an even newer version. (Designed to accompany instruction on leadership and intermediate rock level courses.)
• August 2003 - Harness suspension: review and evaluation of existing information - An excellent paper prepared by Paul Seddon for the U.K. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A must read for those involved in rescue and anyone who may hang motionless in a harness for a protracted period of time. Frightening insight into human vulnerability when hanging on rope. A contract report for the HSE via the HSE website, NOT produced by Rescue Dynamics.
• September 2003 - The Black Art of Piton Craft: Basic Considerations for Experienced Climbers and Rescue Personnel .pdf file - A draft version of a new article on piton placement. The title tells it all. (Designed to accompany instruction on leadership and intermediate rock level courses.)
• October 2003 - Shortroping 100: Shortening the Rope .pdf file - A draft version of a new article on shortening the rope for the technique of shortroping. This article does not address the additional techniques using in shortroping, only the actual act of coiling and tying off the rope. (Designed to accompany instruction on leadership and intermediate level alpine climbing courses.) Revised in September 2005
• November 2003 - Pinpointing on a Line .pdf file - A paper by Bruce Edgerly presented at the 2002 ISSW describing an alternative procedure for locating deep burials. This article is from the Backcountry Access website, and is NOT produced by Rescue Dynamics.
• December 2003 - Probing Revisited .pdf file - An slightly older article by Tim Auger and Bruce Jamieson worth reviewing after the disasterous 2002/2003 winter season. This article is from the Backcountry Access website, and is NOT produced by Rescue Dynamics.

2003 Articles in HTML or Text (.txt) Format

• No HTML files this year.

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WARNING! Mountaineering, Skiing and Rescue are, by their very nature, potentially hazardous activities. The materials presented here are intended as an adjunct to, not a replacement for, sound judgement and experience. The accuracy of the information presented here cannot be guaranteed and may change with time. The onus is on the individual to verify the applicability of the information to a given environment before using it as the basis of any kind of decision. In addition, accurate knowledge of the use of various safety devices and systems is requisite to understanding the information presented and in determining it's applicability to your situations. Always use a backup to your systems where a failure could result in death or injury. Nature offers few second chances for poor or inappropriate application of information and techniques. The Law of Gravity has no Court of Appeal. This must not be your only source of information on any given subject. Seek additional training from reputable schools and guides. Common sense and a strong will to survive must pervade your thoughts and actions. By using the information contained here, you are releasing the authors and Rescue Dynamics from any liability for any injury, including death, that may occur. You have been warned.

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Rescue Dynamics
Edmonton, AB, Canada T6L 1K5

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