A personal fall arrest system is designed to stop a fall, but it does not complete the rescue. Once a worker is suspended in a harness, they remain exposed to a range of secondary hazards including suspension intolerance, restricted circulation, environmental exposure and injuries sustained during the fall itself. In many workplaces, the fastest and safest recovery method is buddy rescue, where another trained worker performs the rescue immediately using dedicated equipment and a predefined rescue plan.
Buddy rescue is widely used in construction, telecommunications, utilities, industrial maintenance, confined space entry, wind energy and rope access operations. Unlike waiting for external emergency services, this approach significantly reduces rescue times because trained personnel and equipment are already present on site. However, buddy rescue should never be improvised. It requires competent personnel, suitable rescue systems, regular practice and a detailed understanding of the hazards involved.
Why Buddy Rescue Is a Critical Part of Work at Height Safety
Stopping a fall is only the first stage of protecting a worker. After fall arrest, the casualty may remain suspended several metres above the ground with no ability to descend independently. If recovery is delayed, medical complications can develop rapidly, particularly if the casualty is unconscious or unable to move their legs.
One of the primary concerns is suspension intolerance. Remaining motionless in a harness reduces the normal pumping action of the leg muscles, allowing blood to accumulate in the lower limbs. This can reduce blood return to the heart and may eventually lead to dizziness, loss of consciousness or more serious medical complications. Although there is no universally accepted maximum suspension time, guidance from industry bodies consistently recommends recovering casualties as quickly as reasonably practicable rather than relying on fixed time limits.
Buddy rescue addresses this problem by allowing immediate action. Instead of waiting for specialist rescue teams that may require 20, 30 or even 60 minutes to reach the site depending on location, trained colleagues can often begin the rescue within a few minutes. This reduction in response time can significantly improve the casualty’s outcome while reducing the duration of suspension.
The approach also supports compliance with the Work at Height Regulations 2005, which require work at height to be properly planned and include suitable arrangements for emergencies and rescue. Simply relying on the emergency services is generally not considered sufficient where a faster recovery method is reasonably achievable.
How Buddy Rescue Is Performed
Although every rescue operation is different, buddy rescue follows a structured process designed to recover the casualty without exposing additional workers to unnecessary risk. The exact procedure depends on the workplace, the equipment available and the condition of the casualty, but preparation is always more important than improvisation.
The rescue begins with an immediate assessment of the situation. The rescuer must identify hazards such as unstable structures, electrical equipment, moving machinery, confined spaces or damaged fall protection systems before attempting recovery. Communication with the casualty should be maintained whenever possible to assess injuries and provide reassurance.
Once the scene has been assessed, the rescuer uses pre selected rescue equipment to reach the casualty or connect to their existing fall protection system. Depending on the rescue plan, the casualty may be lowered to the ground, raised to a safe platform or transferred onto another secure system before recovery continues.
Throughout the operation, the rescuer should remain continuously protected against falls. A common cause of secondary accidents is a rescuer disconnecting from their own fall protection system while attempting to assist another worker. Modern rescue procedures are specifically designed to avoid creating additional casualties.
Following recovery, the casualty should receive immediate first aid and, where appropriate, further medical assessment. Even when injuries appear minor, anyone who has experienced a fall or prolonged suspension should be evaluated by qualified medical personnel because some complications may not be immediately obvious.
Equipment Used During Buddy Rescue
Buddy rescue relies on dedicated equipment that has been selected specifically for emergency recovery rather than normal work positioning or fall arrest. Rescue equipment should be readily available at the work location and compatible with the personal fall protection systems already in use.
Common equipment used during buddy rescue includes:
- Pre assembled rescue kits with controlled descent devices.
- Rescue lifting systems and hauling devices.
- Tripods and davit arms for confined space operations.
- Rescue winches and retrieval blocks.
- Certified connectors, pulleys and anchor slings.
- Rescue stretchers where casualty condition requires controlled evacuation.
Many modern rescue kits combine lowering and lifting functions within a single compact device. These systems are particularly common in industrial maintenance, telecommunications and wind turbine applications because they reduce equipment complexity while allowing flexible rescue methods.
All rescue equipment should be inspected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and EN 365. Equipment that remains stored for long periods still requires regular examination because environmental conditions, corrosion and ageing may affect performance even when the equipment has not been used operationally.
Compatibility is equally important. Rescue systems should be designed to work with the harnesses, connectors and anchor devices used on site. Mixing incompatible equipment can create additional hazards during an already demanding operation.
Training, Competence and Rescue Planning
Buddy rescue is a practical skill rather than a theoretical procedure. Reading a rescue plan or attending classroom training alone is not enough to prepare workers for the pressures of a real emergency. Practical exercises carried out under realistic conditions are essential for developing competence and identifying weaknesses before an incident occurs.
Training should cover much more than operating rescue equipment. Workers should understand casualty assessment, communication procedures, hazard recognition, anchor selection, manual handling considerations and the limitations of the rescue systems available on site. They should also recognise when buddy rescue can be performed safely and when additional specialist assistance is required.
Regular rescue drills are widely regarded as best practice across the work at height industry. Exercises should reflect the actual workplace rather than generic scenarios because rescuing a worker from a wind turbine, telecommunications mast, roof edge or confined space presents very different technical challenges. Many organisations repeat practical rescue training every 6 to 12 months, although higher frequency may be appropriate for high risk operations or where personnel changes occur regularly.
Rescue planning should identify the personnel responsible for performing buddy rescue, the equipment to be used, communication arrangements, emergency contact procedures and the expected rescue method for each work area. Site specific planning is particularly important where multiple work locations exist or where access routes change as construction progresses.
Limitations, Risks and Best Practice
Although buddy rescue is one of the fastest recovery methods available, it is not appropriate for every emergency. The safety of the rescuer must remain the highest priority throughout the operation. Entering an unstable structure, an atmosphere that has not been tested or an electrically energised area simply to attempt a rescue may create additional casualties and worsen the emergency.
Casualty condition is another important consideration. A conscious worker who remains attached to an intact fall protection system may be recovered relatively quickly using standard rescue equipment. By contrast, an unconscious casualty, someone with suspected spinal injuries or a worker trapped within structural components may require a more complex rescue involving specialist rescue teams and advanced medical support.
Several common mistakes continue to appear during incident investigations:
- Assuming the emergency services will always provide the primary rescue solution.
- Storing rescue equipment too far from the work location.
- Allowing untrained personnel to attempt improvised rescues.
- Failing to practise rescue procedures under realistic site conditions.
- Neglecting to update rescue plans when work locations or equipment change.
Effective buddy rescue depends on preparation rather than reaction. Equipment should be immediately available, personnel should be trained and competent, and rescue procedures should be rehearsed before work begins. Organisations should also review rescue performance following drills and real incidents to identify opportunities for improvement.
Buddy rescue remains one of the most effective methods of recovering workers following a fall because it combines rapid response with detailed knowledge of the workplace and the equipment involved. When supported by a comprehensive rescue plan, certified rescue equipment, competent personnel and regular practical training, it significantly reduces rescue times and improves the overall effectiveness of work at height safety programmes.