Does Your Aerial Arts Studio Have a Ladder? (not for rigging, but for rescuing)

While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think of aerial safety, this one object can be lifesaving:

A sturdy, easily accessible ladder.

Not for changing light bulbs. Not for adjusting décor. For rescuing a student. It's never fun to think about emergency scenarios, but it is absolutely necessary for anyone who teaches or is thinking about teaching aerial arts.

1. The Ladder Is Your Access Point in an Aerial Arts Emergency

The most critical use of a ladder in an aerial studio is simple: If a student becomes stuck mid-air, you must be able to create a way for them to safely come down.

Climbing an apparatus should not be the solution. It tensions the wraps, adds movement, your hands are not likely available to support the student, and it endangers the rescuer.

A ladder gives the student something to rest on, allowing them to be relieved of anything tensioned around them, remove wraps, and ground themself.

Without a ladder, you may simply be unable to reach them, and that’s a scenario no instructor wants to face.

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2. Ladder Rescues Are a Core Teaching Skill

A well-run aerial teacher training program should include a ladder rescue module:

• How to position a ladder quickly and safely

• How to verbally guide the student to safety

• When to ascend the ladder yourself
  

Exposing yourself to the potential scenario and rehearsing the steps, at least mentally but ideally in person, gives you the reaction time you need to act quickly and minimize harm to the student. What about liability? Aren't ladders regulated? This would be generally categorized as regular "Ladder use" by OSHA. Duty of care requires you to intervene when a student is in danger and would be far riskier legally.

3. A Ladder Signals a Safety-Respecting Studio and inclusion in an aerial teacher training is a positive sign

When students see that your studio has:

• proper rigging,

• crash mats, and

• a readily accessible ladder,

they know you take aerial safety seriously. Assuming you know how to use it.

It shows that your teaching team is prepared for real-life scenarios, not just ideal ones. When this is included in aerial teacher training, that is a good sign.

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4. Bottom Line

If your aerial studio doesn’t have a ladder, get one.

If your aerial instructors don’t know how to do a ladder rescue, train them.

If nobody taught you how to do a ladder rescue, reach out to me at wakefulascent@gmail.com

It’s one of the simplest, most effective, and most essential components of running a safe aerial arts space.