Comprehensive solutions for high-risk environments with expert consultancy, specialist training, and safety equipment
We’re very excited to release our new Rescue Videos and Rescue Check Cards. Practical tools designed to support the understanding, briefing and implementation of your existing site rescue plan.
These resources are intended to help teams reference, communicate and work through their rescue arrangements on-site, but before we look at how they support your operations, it’s important to understand why every worksite needs a rescue plan and emergency rescue checklist in the first place.
Rescue is not optional.
It is a legal, moral, and operational responsibility for anyone planning or supervising high-risk work.
Whether teams are operating in confined spaces, working at height, or undertaking specialist rope access tasks, there must be a clear and effective rescue plan in place before work begins.
Too often, rescue is treated as a secondary consideration. A document produced to satisfy compliance requirements, rather than a structured, practical approach that can actually be implemented under pressure.
Calling the emergency services alone does not meet legal requirements for rescue planning.
Teams must be able to:
- Rescue their own personnel
- Do so quickly and safely
- Protect rescuers as well as casualties
- Operate with confidence under pressure
Poor rescue planning costs time.
Delayed rescue costs lives.
This is why we’ve developed a structured Emergency Rescue Checklist approach supported by practical video guidance and physical on-site briefing tools.
Introducing the REAX Rescue Specialist Video Playlist
To help teams move beyond theory and into practical planning, we’ve launched a new Rescue Specialist Checklist video playlist.
▶️ Watch the full playlist here↗︎
Each video focuses on a critical element of emergency rescue planning and execution, allowing teams to understand not just what needs to be considered, but why it matters in real operational environments.
This structured approach supports:
- Employers and duty holders
- Supervisors and team leaders
- Rescue teams and specialist operatives
- Anyone responsible for planning or supervising high-risk work
Rather than overwhelming users with large volumes of theoretical guidance, each video breaks down a key component of rescue readiness into manageable, task-focused topics.
Across this series, we cover:
- Legal and moral responsibilities for rescue ▶️
- What a rescue plan really needs to include ▶️
- Communication and emergency reporting (METHANE & PACE) ▶️
- Rescue equipment requirements and limitations ▶️
- Types of rescue and when to use them ▶️
- Anchor selection and force management ▶️
- Suspension intolerance and time-critical rescues ▶️
- Mechanical advantage systems ▶️
- Command and control during rescues ▶️
- Briefing tools ▶️
- Casualty handover ▶️
- Pre-task rescue readiness checks ▶️
Each topic directly supports the development of a practical, site-specific rescue check cards that can be implemented before work begins.
Access Specialist Rescue Content for Free
In addition to the YouTube playlist, we’ve also expanded our Specialist Video Library.
You can sign up for free access here ↗︎
This includes structured content covering:
- Confined space operations
- Work at height planning
- Rescue procedures
- Rope access techniques
- Equipment considerations
- Emergency response readiness
These videos are ideal for:
- Training refreshers
- Toolbox talks
- Supervisor development
- Rescue plan validation
- Pre-task briefings
Providing teams with consistent guidance helps ensure rescue planning is approached in a structured and repeatable way across projects and sites.
Supporting Emergency Rescue with On-Site Rescue Checklists
While video content supports learning and development, rescue planning must also be accessible on site at the point of work.
To support this, we’ve introduced the REAX Rescue Check Cards.
These cards are printed and encapsulated in a hard laminate for increased durability. Each pack includes a wipeable pen attached to the cards, allowing teams to make notes during planning and erase them for repeated use.
Designed specifically for use in rope access, work at height, and confined space environments, these cards support structured rescue planning and execution before tasks begin.
Contents include:
- Rescue planning considerations
- Initial scene assessment
- Casualty condition awareness
- Equipment selection and configuration
- Descent control principles
- Anchor and system checks
- Communication and team roles
- Post-rescue considerations
This allows supervisors and operatives to brief teams using consistent language and structured decision-making prompts, reducing the likelihood of critical rescue planning steps being overlooked.
Why Structured Rescue Planning Matters
Emergency rescue situations are time-critical.
Suspension intolerance, environmental hazards, and casualty condition can all deteriorate rapidly if recovery is delayed. Without a clearly defined rescue plan, teams may hesitate, improvise, or attempt recovery using inappropriate systems.
A structured rescue checklist helps ensure:
- Equipment compatibility has been considered
- Anchors are suitable for expected loads
- Communication protocols are understood
- Rescue roles are assigned
- Mechanical advantage systems are available if required
- Casualty management procedures are planned
Importantly, it also helps protect rescuers by reducing exposure to unnecessary risk during recovery operations.
Building a Practical Rescue Plan
Effective rescue planning is not about creating paperwork.
It’s about ensuring teams can:
- Recognise when rescue is required
- Implement a suitable rescue method
- Recover casualties efficiently
- Maintain control throughout the process
- Handover safely following recovery
Using both digital learning tools and physical on-site rescue checklists provides a layered approach to emergency readiness.
Videos support knowledge development.
Check cards support practical implementation.
Rescue Planning Support
Rescue planning can be complex, particularly in specialist environments involving confined spaces or work at height.
If your organisation requires support developing rescue procedures or validating an existing rescue plan, REAX can assist with consultancy, training and implementation.
Summary
Emergency rescue planning should be a structured, proactive process, not a reactive afterthought.
Using:
- A defined rescue plan
- A practical rescue checklist
- Structured video guidance
- On-site briefing tools
Helps ensure teams are prepared to respond effectively should an incident occur.
Rescue is not optional.
Planning for it shouldn’t be either.
Work positioning is one of the most misunderstood elements of working at height, yet it’s fundamental to safety, comfort, and productivity.
In this episode, we break down what work positioning actually means, common mistakes operators make, and how correct setup allows you to work safely, efficiently, and with control.
Watch the full video:
Work positioning allows an operative to maintain a stable, supported position so they can carry out tasks hands-free while remaining protected by fall protection systems.
If work positioning is set up incorrectly, operators are forced to rely on muscle strength rather than skeletal support. This leads to rapid fatigue, loss of control, shaking, and increased risk of errors particularly during repetitive or prolonged tasks.
Correct work positioning isn’t about complex techniques. It’s about:
- Comfort
- Balance
- Managing forces correctly
- Maintaining fall protection at all times
Practical Steps / Key Takeaways
Key fundamentals covered in this episode include:
- Always maintain primary fall protection, work positioning does not replace it
- Use skeletal support rather than arm strength to reduce fatigue
- Avoid single wraps that can lead to sudden movement (“the two-second heart attack”)
- Increase friction and surface area with additional wraps when required
- Adjust position using rope length, wraps, or foot placement
- Always consider where the “top of the triangle” is, gravity will take you there
Comfort is not a luxury, it’s a safety control.
We teach work positioning as a practical skill, not just a box-ticking exercise.
Our training focuses on real-world setups, recognising common site errors, and helping operatives understand why positioning works the way it does. When teams are comfortable, confident, and properly positioned, safety improves and productivity follows.
Need help with your work at height safety?
Our training and consultancy services support teams with practical skills, planning, and real-world experience.
As we move into February and leave January behind us, it’s a good time to pause and share a few key updates from across REAX.
The start of the year has already been busy. From hands-on equipment events and flexible training delivery to the continued rollout of specialist safety video content designed to support teams working in high-risk environments.
Here’s a look at what’s been happening.
ActSafe Power Ascender Open Day – Today
Today we’re hosting our ActSafe Power Ascender Open Day at the REAX Blackpool training centre.
The open day is focused on giving attendees practical, hands-on experience with the ActSafe Power Ascender, exploring how it can be used safely and effectively for both personnel access and equipment lifting.
Using our dedicated training facilities, we’re running live demonstrations and workshops covering:
- Personnel lifting and access configurations
- Equipment hauling and load management
- System design considerations and limitations
- Safe use, backup systems, and rescue planning
The day brings together teams from rope access, renewables, offshore, transmission, rescue teams, and emergency services, creating a valuable opportunity to share experience and discuss real-world applications.
If you weren’t able to attend today and would like to find out more about ActSafe Power Ascender training or future events, please get in touch.
Contact Tom:
📞 07889 561197
Find out more about our Power Ascender Support Package, including how we help teams get started from system setup and equipment selection through to training and ongoing support.
Mobile Training Unit – Training That Comes to You
One of the biggest challenges teams face with training is balancing operational demands with time away from site.
Our Mobile Training Unit helps remove those barriers by delivering fully accredited confined space training, rescue training, and work at height training directly to your location.
This approach allows teams to train in a familiar environment while reducing:
- Travel and accommodation costs
- Time away from operational duties
- Logistical disruption
Key benefits include:
✔ Fully equipped and accredited training unit
✔ Quick and efficient on-site setup
✔ Minimal downtime for teams
✔ Training aligned with real working conditions
Explore our On-site Services ↗︎
Specialist Safety Videos – Every Week
Alongside our training and consultancy work, we continue to expand our Premium Content Hub with new specialist safety videos released every Monday.
These short, practical videos are designed to support teams working in confined spaces, at height, and in other high-risk environments.
Topics include:
- Safe working techniques
- Correct equipment use and setup
- Confined space and work at height best practice
- Rescue planning and system considerations
- Legislative awareness and compliance
By sharing practical, experience-led guidance, we aim to help teams make safer decisions on site and build confidence in their systems of work.
Follow us on your preferred platform to stay up to date:
Looking Ahead
As we start into February, we’re continuing to build on the momentum from January with more training delivery, further content releases, and upcoming events planned throughout the year.
If you’d like to learn more about our training, consultancy, or resources, we’re always happy to help.
Sign up to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss future updates, including training videos, practical insights, and free resources to help inform and support your team.
If you missed our January newsletter, you can view it online here ↗︎
REAX principles
Experience Driven Training
Driven by a passion to protect and teach, our ex-service and industry specialists pass on their lessons learned to anyone working in challenging environments.
Zero bullsh**
Our clients work in unique situations, with serious consequences, so we’re proud to be straight talkers.
For need, not greed
We're not interested in a quick win or selling you something you don't need. Our commitment to customer service ensures you will get the best training, advice or equipment solution for working safely in your field.
Partners for life
Our commitment to you does not end with your training course finishing. We send renewal reminders at expiry and you can keep up to date via our online blogs and social media platforms.
All our candidates also have access to our content hub as well as telephone support for the duration of their certification.
Best in Class for...
Training
Our instructors have over 350 years of industry experience between them, and with over 60 courses available, your training is in safe hands.
Safety equipment
Having confidence in your kit is as important as the training you receive. Reax can advise you on the best solution for your situation and guarantee a competitive price. We also can ensure your kit stays fit for purpose through our PPE inspection and Servicing team. We can even hire you replacement kit while your kit is being serviced.
Rescue planning & consultation
We are committed to finding the right solution for you. This means you can rest assured that your next major project is covered by a bespoke rescue plan that has been made in consultation, not a pre packed formula.
Our Facility
Use the link below to explore our REAX facility in Virtual Reality
Don't take our word for it
Reax is committed to being the 'best in class' in everything we do. here is what some of the companies we collaborate with say about us...
James Pollard
Sapphire Utility Services
Idi Omar
Johnson Matthey
Dan Gallimore
United Utilities
Owen Davies
Mitie
Lee Smith
Taskmaster
Jonny
United Utilities
Meet the team
Learn more about us, see who you'll be working with.
Committed to excellence and service
What people say about us
10079 lives empowered
Completing one of our training courses not only empowers you to work confidently and safely, it also makes you part of the Reax community.
FAQs
We have put some answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding our training below . If you have a question we have not answered, click on contact us
REAX stands for RESCUE & ACCESS. These have been the cornerstones of the training we provide and equipment we supply. Whether working at height, in a confined space, or you are faced with an injured colleague in the workplace our goal is to empower you to use your skills in the most difficult of environments, safely.
The minimum age for First Aid training is 16. For all other courses the minimum age is 18.
It depends on the piece of equipment and how often it is used. Most equipment will require a minimum of an annual inspection while some specialist lifting and working at height equipment will require 6-monthly checks. All equipment should be check prior to use by whoever is using it.
We are open 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday. Weekend Courses are available on request.
No, All Equipment will be provided when training in our centre. We can sometimes use the same equipment that you use in your workplace
We work across the length and breadth of Great Britain. We can deliver training on site or on our state-of-the-art mobile training rig. Alternatively, we would be delighted to train you at our bespoke training centre in Blackpool Lancashire in the North West of the United Kingdom
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that “Employers must protect workers from health and safety risks.” Personal Protective Equipment or PPE is any piece of equipment that will protect a person from injury or harm while performing a work-related task.
All Instructors at REAX have come through our onboarding programme. The programme takes you from skilled practitioner to someone able to breakdown the technical aspects of a task or activity and teach others to use them confidently and safely. We have developed a series of training pathways that will give you all the attributes to become an instructor. If you have passion to teach others, then we would love to hear from you.
All Reax Training courses certify you for three years. But don’t worry we will send you an automated reminder when your certificate is due for renewal
Through our network of suppliers we can access the best quality equipment. While we constantly hold a great deal of stock some items will be shipped on order direct from the manufacturer. In short, if it is a piece of specialist equipment for working at height, in a confined space, rescue or first aid, our Equipment Team can find the right piece of kit for you.
Contact us
Please complete the form below and a member of the team will get back to you within 2 business hours.
