Trench Rescue Technician

Course Content
Classroom Portion (8 hours)
The course includes eight hours of intense didactics (classroom). Designing trench rescue shoring systems is an art that must be based on science. The problem is that most rescuers and most “so called” rescue instructors do not understand the basic science that is involved. Knowing how to calculate the potential soil forces and shoring system strength is paramount to both victim and rescuer safety. Many rescue shoring systems being taught today have been designed without scientific data. In most cases rescuers are left to rely on luck and memory of rote system learning.

The MUSAR Training Foundation’s Trench rescue technician course teaches the participants to apply critical thinking and system analysis skills to design and install rescue shoring systems in trenches and excavations. Students will participate in shoring system testing that will take walers, panels and strong-backs to failure. This destructive testing will provide a new level of understanding of trench shoring and will aid the technicians in developing and installing systems that provide calculated safety margins.

Excavation Shoring-2011

L-Trench Shoring 2010

Hands-On Course Content (40 hours)
*Shoring System Destructive Testing
*Deep trench (15-20 feet)
*Technician Shoring Team duties
*Rigging and use of trench boxes
*Technician Panel Team duties
*Use of hand held penetrometers
*Technician Entry Team duties
*Use of Isolation Devices
*Team leader decision making
*Stabilizing and lifting
*Advanced Shoring
*Designing rescue shoring systems
*Replacement shoring
*Supplemental shoring
*Proper use of “variable” strut pressures
*Cross shoring the “repair” hole
*Excavation shoring
*Spreader struts
*Risk/ benefit and the 4:1 strut safety ratio
*Working with large slough-ins
*Advanced walers
*Inside walers
*Outside walers
*Glu-lam beam walers
*Determining waler sizes/depths
*Cantilever walers
*The last day will include a very challenging technician trench rescue scenario!

For more information, or to schedule a trench rescue program for your department, please contact:
Ron Zawlocki at Rescue_zman@yahoo.com or (248) 854-1170