Film explores rescue scenarios

An orange-capped deer hunter dangles from his lanyard in the pine branches like an Orvis Christmas ornament, having fallen from his trusty tree stand. A rescue team jogs up the bank and discovers him up in the trees.

Someone yells "CUT" and the team trots back down the trail for another take.

We're witnessing a mock rescue being filmed off Camp Polk Road for a new video series by Lance Piatt, owner of Rescue Response Gear Inc., of Sisters, and Eli Pyke of Zion Pictures.

"My wife, Monica, and I own Rescue Response Gear, and part of what we do besides sell equipment is being able to serve our clients with video demonstration products," says Piatt. "To 'inspire and implement solutions' is our motto. It's part reality show entertainment, part professional instruction, part fun, and provides a focused branding aspect for us."

Piatt works closely with Eli Pyke's Zion Pictures to not only help promote and expand Pyke's video portfolio but also provide a polished quality to the finished product.

"It helps both businesses, and it's a nice partnership," Piatt said.

Rescue Response Gear provides safety, rescue, and survival equipment to fire departments, federal, state and county agencies (needing rescue and rope access training), public utility companies and individuals. Their extensive Web site catalog offers products from over 35 manufacturers worldwide.

The six-part video series features a Rescue Response Team made up of company staff, firefighters and search and rescue volunteers.

"We are recreating a variety of rescue situations typically seen or that have happened to us," Piatt said. "Then we basically script them out and shoot it."

So far the series has completed a cave rescue, a cliff rescue, an injured hiker and a fallen Smith Rock climber rescue. These are all things a Forest Service, BLM, or State Park Service employee might see in their normal day-to-day operations.

"More than anything, something we mention at the end of each video is that this is dedicated to those who risk their lives to help others. That's what this series is all about."

Piatt has lived in Sisters for 15 years and has been involved in search and rescue operations, mountain rescues, and has an extensive background in exercise physiology. He stresses preparation and awareness for everyone venturing out in the wild.

"Common sense will get you out of a lot of problems," he said.

"We deal with mountain rescue, fire service, and general search and rescue," says Piatt. "Everything we do is based on actual situations, then we provide rigging solutions and equipment that pertains to those particular situations. Figuring out what's safest and best."

In this case, the hunter has fallen off his tree stand and hangs from a harness, a common occurrence in the forest. The dispatched team will assess the situation, establish safety protocols and a rescue strategy, then implement the plan. They will shoot an anchor rope over a branch with a "bigshot" slingshot, then ascend the tree to assist the hunter down. Once down, they notify dispatch as to any immediate medical condition.

"We want to do something significant for the industry and usher in a different source of branding for our company with these instructional videos," Piatt said. "When you attach your name to a service that actually helps folks, it can be an amazing tool."

While Pyke and his crew were filming, a young buck wandered out of the creek bed and sniffed the air, oblivious of the strange rescue scene. Pyke quickly crept close to get some footage for authenticity.

"See, that's a godsend right there," Piatt laughed. "We needed a deer and we were provided one."

For more information visit http://www.rescueresponse.com.