The Role of Life Safety Equipment in Aerial Arts
Welcome to Vertical Art Dance, your all-in-one destination for pole and aerial arts and the number one trusted source for custom rigging solutions and truss designs for the pole & aerial arts industry! At Vertical Art Dance, we are passionate about helping small business owners and individual aerial artists push their artistic boundaries while prioritizing safety above all else.
The term “aerial arts” encompasses numerous disciplines like aerial silks, aerial hammock, trapeze, pole fitness, aerial hoop and so much more. Most of us are drawn to aerial because of the grace, creativity, strength and sheer beauty of this art form. It’s also grown wildly popular in the past decade due to its accessibility to artists/dancers with varying skill levels and athletic backgrounds.
Behind all of the mesmerizing performances and sequences you see on social feeds and viral Tik Tok vidoes, there is a dedication to safety that cannot be understated. Aerial artists, both amateurs and professionals, should understand the importance of using life safety equipment to mitigate the risks of aerial arts. Becuase, aerial arts is not just a random hobby…it is a life safety activity with serious consequences if it is not treated as such. In this article, we will dive deep into the indispensable role of life safety equipment in aerial arts activities to ensure a safe and inspiring environment for aerial performers worldwide.
1. Embracing Safety Culture:
Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Vertical Art Dance. We believe that fostering a culture of safety begins with education, communication, and a shared commitment to best practices among performers, instructors, and studio owners. We hope to empower our community to make informed decisions and prioritize safety in every aspect of their aerial journey through our rigging training sessions offered to our custom truss clients on their build day.
2. Mitigating Risks with Proper Equipment:
Aerial arts demand precision, strength, and grace, but they also come with inherent risks. Falls, impact injuries, and equipment malfunctions can occur unexpectedly, making the use of proper life safety equipment paramount. At Vertical Art Dance, we recommend investing in high-quality hardware, rigging systems and safety mats to mitigate risks and ensure the well-being of aerialists during training, rehearsal, and performance. Some of the respected and trusted brands we distrubute are Petzl, Sterling Rope & Rock Exotica. Vertical Art Dance has also engineered and manufactured numerous products specifically for aerial arts - such as the Verti Fit Frame, a portable and versatile aerial dance rig and the VAD Aerial Angel Rigging Plate™.
3. Rigging for Success:
The integrity of rigging systems is critical to the safety of aerial performers. Rigging failures or improper installation can have devastating consequences, endangering lives and undermining trust in the aerial arts community. Vertical Art Dance is led by SPRAT Level 1 Rope Access Technician, Summer Davies and as a small business leading the pole and aerial industry in custom rigging solutions, we emphasize the importance of ongoing education and adhering to industry-leading standards for rigging design, installation, and maintenance. By prioritizing safety in rigging practices, we create a foundation for safe and successful aerial experiences.
4. Equipment Maintenance and Inspection:
Regular maintenance and inspection of equipment are essential elements of safety in aerial arts. Soft rigging, hardware, aerial fabric, rigging systems and overhead anchor points should all undergo thorough inspections by qualified professionals to identify potential defects or wear and tear that may compromise their effectiveness. At Vertical Art Dance, we encourage performers and facilities to implement robust maintenance schedules and document their inspection findings. Our custom truss clients receive an inventory tracking system to implement in their inspection protocols and we also offer inspection services to annually or semi-annually to inspect rigging and truss parts.
5. Building a Supportive Community:
The aerial arts industry thrives on collaboration and support from its members. At Vertical Art Dance, we believe in building a supportive community where aerialists can receive knowledge and resources to enhance safety and foster growth within their own aerial communities and studios. We encourage our community members to actively engage in promoting a culture of safety and accountability that benefits everyone…so that we can keep doing what we love, which is FLYING in the air! Over on our YouTube channel we share educational rigging videos, destructive testing findings and of course inspirational remote location performances!
6. Promoting Innovation and Excellence:
Safety is not a limitation but a foundation for innovation and excellence in aerial arts. By prioritizing safety in our trainings, custom rigging solutions and truss builds, performances, and creative endeavors, we believe we create space for artistic exploration, experimentation and expression. At Vertical Art Dance, we celebrate the ingenuity and artistry of aerial performers who push boundaries while upholding the highest standards of safety and professionalism. We also believe that rigging practices are ever-evolving and we are constantly evaluating our processes and systems to ensure the highest quality and safest rigging options available to our clients. The VAD Aerial Angel Rigging Plate™ is just one example of the how Vertical Art Dance is paving the way for bettering the world of aerial arts with safe, unique aerial equipment and rigging solutions.
Life safety equipment plays a crucial role in elevating safety standards and fostering a culture of excellence in aerial arts. Investing in proper equipment is essential to mitigating risks and ensuring the well-being of aerialists worldwide. At Vertical Art Dance, we remain committed to advancing safety practices, promoting education and collaboration with our customers, and empowering our community to reach new heights in aerial performance and instruction. We believe we move united with our clients due to our shared commitment to safety and artistry in the amazing world of aerial arts!