We have all used or seen them used on countless CS entries. A tripod and winch set-up is by far the most common non-entry rescue system used in the USA. Because of this, it is also the most misunderstood and misused rescue system in the USA. Tripods are a GREAT tool when the entry is 100% VERTICAL; there is ample working space (both vertically and horizontally) to set it up properly, and ONLY ONE entrant! The most common use of a tripod is entering sewer manholes, which they were meant for. Tripods do NOT work on HORIZONTAL entries! Even if the first path of travel is vertical, but then the entrant travels horizontally AND a couple of feet beyond the feet of the tripod, the device is practically a hindrance to rescue at that point!
But I still see tripods set up on horizontal entries almost monthly. But what I really want folks to think through is the problem with multiple entrants and using a tripod winch system as the means for non-entry rescue (which is REQUIRED unless the configuration of the space does not lend itself to non-entry rescue or the non-entry rescue equipment will pose a hazard).
Here is what we have during an entry…
