Working in arboriculture can be a dangerous business.
And when things go wrong, the ability to access a tree to undertake a rescue operation might well be the difference between life and death.
The answer lies in effective aerial rescue skills – and that’s precisely what Ringlink Services’ comprehensive five-day Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue course offers.
Running again on 23 June, this hands-on course is designed to equip you with life-saving knowledge and practical expertise.
This intensive course isn’t just about learning to go up and down a tree, it’s a deep dive into the critical skills and health & safety guidance essential for anyone working at height in a tree canopy. From understanding crucial legislation like the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) to mastering advanced rescue techniques, this course provides the foundational training you need.
“The course has been developed for anyone who wishes to carry out work at height in a tree canopy,” explains experienced trainer Brian Jarret (pictured).
“So this is anyone from arborists, to conservationists to leisure climbers.”
The course is built on a practical, hands-on approach. You begin by thoroughly understanding your climbing gear, ensuring it’s compliant with the latest regulations, including Working at Heights and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment (LOLER).
From there, you’ll practise various friction knots and changeovers, before setting off up the tree.
A core component of the training involves reaching a minimum height of 12 metres and performing a branch walk of at least five metres. Critically, you’ll then learn vital rescue techniques, both within the tree and on a pole.
Brian highlights the diverse range of individuals who benefit from this training.
“There is such a wide range of people that do this course and get so much out of it,” he said.
“For example, I had a 69-year-old gentleman who had been climbing for years, working mainly for Nature Scotland. On completing the course, he thanked me and then headed straight off to the west coast to meet up with a farmer worried about eagles eating his lambs, before scaling a huge Douglas fir to check the raptor nest to see what they’d been eating.”
While this course is a great starting point for skill development, it’s important to note that it’s not an alternative to achieving formal qualifications. Professional users must still attain the Level 2 Award in Accessing a Tree Using a Rope and Harness, and the Level 3 Award in Aerial Tree Rescue Operations. However, Ringlink Services’ course provides the essential training to prepare you for these awards.
Physical fitness is essential, and you must not suffer from vertigo or similar conditions, nor be on medication that could affect your safety. Learners are also required to bring their own LOLER compliant tree climbing equipment, personal first aid kit attached to their harness and appropriate PPE.
By the end of this five-day journey, you’ll be able to understand relevant legislation, identify appropriate PPE, manage hazards, choose anchor points, tie essential knots, perform visual tree inspections, carry out pre-use equipment checks and execute safe ascent and descent techniques.
Crucially, you’ll also gain the skills to carry out successful aerial rescues – a skill that could make the difference between life and death in a demanding industry.
If you’re ready to test your safety knowledge, deepen your expertise and gain life-saving skills in the challenging world of tree work, then the Ringlink Services Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue course is an invaluable investment.
Secure your place for the upcoming 23 June session and climb towards a safer, more confident future.
Other dates include:
- 21/07/25 – Forres
- 13/08/25 – Montrose
- 15/09/25 – Montrose
- 20/10/25 – Perth
- 10/11/25 – Montrose
Get in touch to book your place or find out more.
Watch more to hear if it’s the course for you.
