Photo essay: Rope access rescue training in Dubai

  • A team member of Traks Pro prepares equipment for rescue situations at the their facility in Dubai. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
    A team member of Traks Pro prepares equipment for rescue situations at the their facility in Dubai. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
  • GCAA personnel try out the ropes at the Traks Pro training centre
    GCAA personnel try out the ropes at the Traks Pro training centre
  • Rope access techniques are a vital skill for emergency services personnel, who may have to undertake rescue missions in tall buildings
    Rope access techniques are a vital skill for emergency services personnel, who may have to undertake rescue missions in tall buildings
  • The centre also trains the teams who scale Dubai's gleaming skyscrapers to clean and maintain them
    The centre also trains the teams who scale Dubai's gleaming skyscrapers to clean and maintain them
  • Traks Pro instructor Akhil Augustin explain the intricacies of rigging a Stokes basket for safely evacuating a person from a high access point
    Traks Pro instructor Akhil Augustin explain the intricacies of rigging a Stokes basket for safely evacuating a person from a high access point
  • GCAA team members watch on as a colleague sets up the initial anchor points for a rescue
    GCAA team members watch on as a colleague sets up the initial anchor points for a rescue
  • Life-size, correctly weighted manikins are an essential tool for rescue training
    Life-size, correctly weighted manikins are an essential tool for rescue training
  • Traks Pro owner James Falcetto says the aim is to ensure trainees are equipped to deal with the unknown
    Traks Pro owner James Falcetto says the aim is to ensure trainees are equipped to deal with the unknown
  • This involves practising to the extent that techniques become muscle memory
    This involves practising to the extent that techniques become muscle memory
  • The GCAA team undertakes this training course every three years
    The GCAA team undertakes this training course every three years
  • The GCAA team training for rescue situations at the Traks Pro centre in Dubai
    The GCAA team training for rescue situations at the Traks Pro centre in Dubai