Safety while doing SFX and Stunt Work in High Risk Environments

I guess I was about 19 +/- some years young when it dawned on me that I did not “have to know it all.”  Up until then I often found myself talking as though I had already done it, or at the least, I was well informed about “it.”  From there I slowly began to learn how to say, “I do know as much about that as I would like, but I would like to learn more.  This is what I do know . . .” 

What a freeing set of words, not having to BS or fib about a subject so that I could save face, or be accepted by my friends.  I am guessing some of you relate to that idea.  Above is a picture of a stunt sequence I engineered, along with the assistance of a mighty fine team.  You know life is so much better, and more productive, and fulfilling when we learn how to interact well with one another.

This site had a very high [1]risk potential and a very serious [2]risk factor.  We had to use a rubber raft to ferry everyone and much of the equipment over to the other side.   Equipment and gear that did not fit in the rubber raft had to be transported across the river on a rope [3]highline system.

White Water is white because it is so full of air; swimming is next to impossible because you sink like a rock.  When you try to swim the water provides very little resistance, consequently, you have little or nothing to pull or kick against.  Also the movement of the water is very high risk due to the water’s velocity.  It weights more than eight pounds per gallon, and a river is full of many gallons pushing you, it is awful scary, and deadly.  There are foot traps, strainers, deadly recirculation eddies, and . . .

Just setting up was outrageous, shooting the scene was even more outrageous.  The idea was to have these two adventurers be crossing the rope bridge, and while crossing one of them was to fall and be caught by the rope that tied them together.  Then the one on the bridge would use his great strength to pull his partner back up, and they would close by showing a victory shoot, of them sitting on the other side, holding bottles of vitamin drink. 

In the picture to the right you can see Kane falling from the rope bridge, with a stunt catch line, attached to him, to stop the fall, and a camera rope, with a break-away point in the middle of it. 

The break-away is just in case the stunt fails.  That way Ki, would not be pulled into the river with Kane.  Wow, was Kane trusting his life to me, and our super fine team!

Watch for the 3rd edition

  

Had the system failed the white water would have bounced and tumbled him over a thirty or forty foot cliff into a pool of water.  We had stationed a Rescue Swimmer, in a Kayak below as a safety precaution, but . . .

You can see the Swiss Jib and the camera below him, which has been located on a platform, on the other side of the river.  For more information watch for the 3rd edition of "Ropes, Pulleys, Rigging Systems, and Dangerous Resultants.

Below are a few shots of the various activities which must take place to shoot a 30 second TV commercials such as this.  This may seem like a lot of work, and it is, but I would also like to point out that the talent or actors, do as much work, if not more.

That was an eye opener early in my career.  I thought all they do was show up smile for the camera, and say a few words, and run off, but I have been impressed with the work involved in all aspects of movies and commercials.

Link to an introduction to advanced safety skills; 

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=t9P7qQKfYEk

I offer a 90 minute presentation on Understanding Risk Exposure and Safety.  It can be taught along with Fall Protection Certification.  This training meets OSHA standards and requires for Work at Height, (work six feet above the ground or a lower level)  I provide a Certificate you can copy and put in your files (per osha requirements) , and a laminated wallet card.

I would appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you.  Thanks for checking out this blog

Check out some of my other books at  Amazon.com books b y Douglas S. Hansen

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[1] It had many different things which could create and accident, if a mistake was made, the possibility of having something go wrong were very high.

[2] If a mistake was made, the consequences would be astronomical someone could very well die, and if not, they would be hurt seriously. 

[3] A rope system consisting of a track line and movement lines to move the load back and forth.