Case studies
CASE STUDY | EDELRID UK Kit Testing
Vertical Academy's kit testing with Edelrid takes place in real UK conditions—wind, rain, cold, grit, and repeated loading.
Where equipment either proves itself or modification highlighted.
We don’t test in theory; we test in consequence-rich environments that mirror operational reality.
This matters because feedback from experienced rope access and rescue professionals helps refine durability, handling, and safety margins before products reach the market. Trusted testing leads to safer systems, better performance, and confidence when it counts.
CASE STUDY | PETROFAC Rope Access Team
Offshore Martine. Remote. Confined Space Rescue.
Petrofac for more than four decades have been serving clients across the globe, designing, building and operating onshore and offshore facilities. Operating in hostile environments and remote locations.
Within the business Petrofac Rope Access supports a full operational portfolio.
During an onsite Risk Assessment a question was asked by the Rope Access Manager:
Do we have the capability to support life in the event of a foreseeable incident at a remote location at height with the current team training- The answer was a resounding NO
A team deep dive and gap analysis pointed out a serious issue that needed acting on immediately.
Contact was made Vertical Academy
As a company known in the industry to provide bespoke Advanced First Aid Training Petrofac approached Vertical Academy.
Face to face meetings with Vertical Academy resulted in producing a bespoke Advanced First Aid Training Solution. This is now the go to for Petrofac rope access teams.
Vertical Academy trained blocks of Rope Access Team Leaders who are now equipment with bespoke life saving skills in the offshore maritime environment.
CASE STUDY | TRAC Onshore Rope Access Team
Remote Locations. High-Risk Work. Real-World Rescue Capability.
When TRAC’s rope access teams were deployed to sites like the Scottish Parliament and remote lighthouses around Scotland, they faced a critical question:
“If something goes wrong up here — can we handle it before help arrives?”
They needed more than a kit. They needed life-saving skills in the field.
Vertical Academy Delivered.
We delivered a bespoke Advanced First Aid Course built around the Sovos Platinum Bleed Kits — with training designed for remote, elevated environments.
Catastrophic bleed control
Realistic trauma response drills
Evacuation planning where rescue times are measured in hours, not minutes
Built for rope access — delivered by rope access professionals
Why It Mattered
This wasn’t theory. This was about plugging a critical gap in emergency response for rope access technicians operating in some of the most inaccessible locations in Scotland.
TRAC’s team now has more than a harness — they’ve got the capability and confidence to save a teammate’s life when it counts.
About Us
Vertical Rigging Services
Vertical Rigging is a specialist rope access, rescue and training company trusted to operate where failure isn’t an option. We deliver bespoke work-at-height solutions, confined space rescue and advanced first aid training for industry leaders across the UK.
Our team blends real-world operational experience with precision planning, technical consultancy and field-proven equipment testing.
Through Vertical Academy, we develop professionals to the highest standards—because in vertical environments, only the top 1% perform.
Riccardo Roberts - Director
Vertical Rigging was founded by Director Riccardo Roberts who has over 20 years experience working at height. Riccardo has a real passion for teaching and instructing with over 25yrs experience in this field.
Riccardo is a former Royal Marine who has a love for the vertical world that has existed in him from a young age. After the forces Riccardo spent many years teaching outdoor education combining his love for the mountains and climbing.
Passion for the vertical world then turned to industrial rope access, a career which has taken Riccardo all over the world. Riccardo is an experienced IRATA Level 3 and IRATA Instructor who also holds Advanced First Aid teaching and assessing qualifications.
Nicola Roberts - Director
With over 25 years experience in project management, marketing and administration Nicola manages the day to day logistics of Vertical Rigging.
Nicola has worked in various multi media agencies in Glasgow, London and Cape Town and is now based in Edinburgh with Vertical Rigging.
Nicola also has a keen interest in the outdoors and rock climbing.