UVSAR

Books and publications: ProGuide Series: Line Operations

ISBN 978-0-9560784-2-1 [Table of Contents]   [FAQ]
The only Line Rescue field guide for the European market

From the core skills of safe work at height, through rope access, hauling systems and advanced stretcher rescues, ProGuide Line Operations covers every aspect in clear, precise detail. An invaluable pocket reference for UK/EU Fire Services, industrial rope rescue teams, cliff/coastguard teams, police and military rope access operatives, and many more. If it's not in this book, you don't need to know it!

Each A6-size coil-bound ProGuide is printed on 100% waterproof paper, which can be repeatedly soaked, washed, scrubbed and disinfected without damage. Unlike many other 'waterproof' notebooks, ProGuide paper is produced from polymer film - it can be written on, is resistant to tearing, and will not stick together even after months in a damp pocket. The latest printing technology creates crystal-clear text and graphics that won't scratch or peel away, no matter how much you try.

Line Operations contains over 100 pages and provides a complete reference for everyone working at height - from the basic personal safety and access techniques used by all firefighters; the legal rules and risk assessment checklists for work at height and the associated hazards (such as RF exposure and confined spaces), use of PPE, knots and anchors, restraint and fall arrest techiques; to the skills needed for professional rope access rescue and stretcher hauling. We cover pulley systems and quadpods, shaft entry and leading edge work, advanced techniques for colleague rescue and highlines. The content is fully compliant with UK and European laws, standards and best practices, with detailed diagrams designed to be crystal-clear to understand, even in the dark and the pouring rain.

What standards and equipment does the ProGuide refer to?

We avoid brand-specific naming as much as possible, and refer to equipment via EN standards and generic design features. The legal aspects of work at height reference the UK laws (Work at Height Regulations and Confined Space Regulations), however the techniques and protocols described in the book are universally-applicable to teams using EN standards and European styles of work.

Is the ProGuide only for specialist rope rescuers?

No - the first half is designed to cover work at height from the introductory level (what a lanyard is, howe to work in restraint, how to select an anchor point), and is intended for use by anyone with core access skills and their supervisors. The remainder of the book covers techniques usually performed by specialist members of a line rescue team, but they are also essential skills for many non-rescue professionals, such as IRATA level 3 supervisors.

Is the ProGuide a teach-yourself book?

No - it's a field reference for use by people who have been trained or are undergoing training, but does not constitute a training manual in isolation as clearly the skills required by a line rescue operative are wide-ranging and require extensive practical instruction.

Can we have our team/brigade logo on the front cover?

Yes, but subject to minimum quantities or a small per-order setup fee. Contact us for details, describing how many you're looking to purchase and we'll explain the process and how to submit your logo artwork for printing. Typically, branded books will take 10-14 days to produce and ship - standard copies normally ship within one working day.

Our team/brigade uses different techniques or sets of equipment. Can we have a custom version?

Again, yes; but subject to minimum quantities or an additional setup fee. Contact us for details.

Do you provide the book as a download?

Yes - see our ProGuide Mobile range, designed for any handheld devices and phones that can read PDFs (iPhones, smartphones, laptops, toughbooks and netbooks). Of course you can display it on a normal desktop computer too!

Why can I only order up to 3 (or 24) copies?

Our website shopping cart limits orders to a size where economy carriage can be calculated automatically. We are happy to supply more copies, simply email us with your destination address and quantity and we will advise on the cheapest carriage options available.

What if I want to pay by cheque, bank transfer, purchase order, etc.?

That's fine - contact us with what you want and your intended payment details, delivery address, etc. and we'll take it from there. If you want a pro-forma invoice, mention it in your message and we'll email you one right back. Prices for cheque purchases are the same as shown on the website, so if you only want a couple of books, pop a cheque in the mail (our address is on the contact page) with a note giving your delivery address, phone number (in case there's any problem) and what you want. We'll dispatch as soon as the cheque clears. Official orders from fire services, government agencies and the military can be processed on 30-day account terms. We don't accept card payments via the phone, and some non-standard cards may not be accepted by PayPal - in which case contact us for help.

We aren't in the UK - is the book still suitable for us?

Although the ProGuide is aimed at UK Fire Service and associated emergency and industrial rescue teams (such as HART, MOD and Police), we have been careful to avoid too many equipment-specific notes and so the book will fit to any brands of equipment. Some of the initial management checklists refer to laws from the UK, though similar laws apply across the European Union. The book is not intended for markets following the OSHA/NFPA frameworks (USA, Canada, etc.), where equipment and techniques are significantly different.

If I use/tear out the notepaper at the back of the book, can I replace them or is the book wasted?

We've designed the book using a coil binding that can be unthreaded if necessary, and replacement packs of note sheets can be purchased - contact us for details.

Why the emphasis on Fire Services? The book doesn't mention fires!

Actually, it does... briefly! The reason is that in the UK, the statutory supplier of "urban" rescue at/from height is the Fire Service. They are often supported by other agencies (Police, Coastguard, etc.) and of course in mountain/cave/mine rescues we have independent specialist teams, but if you're stuck in a tree and call 999, you'll get a big red truck. Having said that, ProGuide Line Ops applies equally well to any other team. There is nothing specifically "fire service only" about the techniques and policies we describe, and it's in use by many rope access teams, industrial trainers and supervisors as an invaluable guide to both the law and practice of safe work at height.

If you have any other questions, please use the button below to contact us and we'll be happy to help.