What should a rescue kit inspection checklist include?

A rescue kit inspection checklist should cover all equipment required to carry out a rescue from the intended hazard (confined space and/or working at heights). For confined space rescue this typically includes: rescue rope (condition, length, rated load), a descender or rescue device (e.g. MPD, I'D or similar), anchor slings and straps, karabiners (gate action, locking, rating mark), pulleys, a rescue stretcher or rescue litter (for non-ambulant rescues), a first aid kit (dedicated to the rescue kit), a communication device (two-way radio or equivalent), a gas detector (calibrated, in date) and a standby person's harness. Storage bag or container condition and all labels and expiry dates should also be checked. The overall result, any defects and a declaration with inspector sign-off should be recorded.

How often should a rescue kit be inspected?

Rescue kits must be inspected before every confined space or heights work task. This is a pre-use check by the standby person or rescue team. A formal documented inspection (such as this checklist) should be completed by a competent person at least every 6 months, or more frequently as required by the manufacturer or your organisation's safety management system. The gas detector must be bump-tested and calibrated to the manufacturer's schedule. Any item that has been used in a rescue, subjected to a load or damaged must be removed from service and inspected before it is returned to use.

Who should inspect a rescue kit?

Pre-use checks before each confined space entry or heights task should be carried out by the standby person or a competent member of the rescue team. Formal periodic inspections (as documented with this checklist) should be completed by a competent person with training in rescue equipment inspection, this is typically someone who has completed working-at-heights or confined space rescue training and has demonstrated competency in assessing the equipment in the kit. For rope rescue equipment in particular, the person inspecting should have current training in rope rescue and be familiar with the specific equipment types in the kit.

Is the rescue kit inspection checklist template free to use without MapTrack?

Yes. You can download and use the rescue kit inspection checklist for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print → Save as PDF to keep a copy. No MapTrack account is required. If you want to manage rescue kit inspections digitally - registering each kit as an asset, scheduling recurring inspections, tracking equipment expiry dates and certifications, completing checks on mobile with photos, and keeping all records linked to each kit. MapTrack can help. Book a demo to find out more.

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Free rescue kit inspection checklist

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A rescue kit inspection checklist is used to verify that confined space and working-at-heights rescue equipment is complete, in good condition, within its service life and ready for immediate use. This page explains what to include in a rescue kit inspection, how to conduct it, and offers a free PDF-ready checklist you can download and use straight away.

Last updated: 2026-02-21 · MapTrack

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 21 February 2026

How to use: Record kit details → inspect each item → check labels and expiry → verify storage condition → note defects → record result → sign and date → save as PDF.

✓ PDF-ready. Open and print to PDF
✓ Covers rope, descender, anchors, karabiners, stretcher, harness, comms and gas detector
✓ Free to use with or without MapTrack

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What is a rescue kit inspection checklist?

A rescue kit inspection checklist is a form used to systematically verify the condition and completeness of all equipment required to carry out an emergency rescue from a confined space or a working-at-heights scenario. Under the WHS Regulations (confined spaces and work in elevated positions), a rescue capability must be established before any person enters a confined space or works at height, and the rescue equipment must be suitable, in working order and immediately available. The checklist covers the rope and rigging components (rescue rope, anchor slings, karabiners), rescue devices (descender, pulleys, tripod), personal equipment (standby person's harness), emergency items (first aid kit, communication device, gas detector) and the storage container. This template uses a Pass / Fail / N/A format and includes space for defects, corrective actions and sign-off.

Benefits of using a rescue kit inspection checklist

Life safety: rescue equipment that is damaged, incomplete or out of service life may fail at the exact moment it is needed most; systematic checks prevent this.
WHS compliance: meet your obligations under the WHS Regulations for confined space entry and working at heights; demonstrate that rescue capability was verified before work commenced.
Expiry and service life tracking: ropes, harnesses and gas detectors all have manufacturer-specified service lives and calibration intervals; the checklist captures these.
Consistency: a standardised checklist ensures the same level of verification is applied every time, regardless of who is acting as standby person.
Audit and incident evidence: a signed pre-use record confirms the kit was checked and ready; critical evidence in the event of a near-miss or incident.
Completeness assurance: confirms nothing has been removed from the kit and not replaced after a previous use.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you move from paper or static PDFs to digital forms in MapTrack, you get:

Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
Ability to share forms digitally.
Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
Electronic signatures.
Edit forms later without reprinting.
Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).

Book a demo to see digital rescue kit inspections and equipment expiry tracking in MapTrack.

What to include in a rescue kit inspection checklist

Our free rescue kit inspection checklist includes:

Kit details: location, intended use (confined space / working at heights), kit ID.
Inspector details: name, relevant competency (confined space rescue / working at heights), date.
Rope and rigging (P/F/N/A): rescue rope (condition, sheath integrity, length, rated load label), anchor slings/straps (webbing condition, stitching, hardware, rating), anchor devices (plate, I-anchor or similar).
Rescue devices: descender/rescue device (MPD, I'D or equivalent - function, lock, rating), pulleys (sheave, side plates, axle, rating), tripod or davit arm (if applicable - condition, leg locks, rated load).
Personal equipment: standby person's harness (webbing, stitching, D-ring, buckles, labels, expiry), karabiners (gate action, locking, rating marks, no cracks).
Emergency equipment: rescue stretcher/litter (condition, straps), first aid kit (sealed, in date), communication device (charged, tested), gas detector (calibration current, bump-tested, charged).
Storage and labels: storage bag/container (clean, dry, no damage), all manufacturer labels legible, all expiry dates checked.
Overall result, defects table and declaration.

How to conduct a rescue kit inspection

Record the kit details (location, intended use, kit ID) and your inspector details, including your relevant rescue competency.
Lay out all items from the kit. Work through each section of the checklist - rope and rigging, rescue devices, personal equipment and emergency items.
For the rescue rope, run the full length through your hands, feeling for damage, kinks, core softness or sheath damage. Confirm the length and rated load label are legible.
Check each karabiner individually - open and close the gate, verify the locking mechanism works, check for cracks, corrosion or distortion, and confirm the rating markings are legible.
Check the descender/rescue device - confirm it operates correctly (load-locking function, panic stop if fitted), check for wear on the friction surfaces and housing.
Check the standby person's harness following the same systematic approach as a standard harness inspection - webbing, stitching, D-rings, buckles and labels.
Bump-test the gas detector and confirm calibration is current. Test the communication device. Check the first aid kit seal and expiry of contents.
Check all manufacturer labels for legibility, note any items that are at or near their service life expiry.
Record the overall result, note any defects, sign and date. Any item marked fail must be removed from the kit and replaced before the kit is returned to service. Do not use a rescue kit with any failed or missing item.

In MapTrack, you can register each rescue kit as an asset, attach digital inspection forms, track individual item expiry dates, schedule recurring inspections and keep all records against the kit asset. Book a demo to see how.

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How often to inspect rescue kits

A rescue kit must be checked before every confined space entry or heights work task. This is a mandatory pre-use check by the standby person. A formal documented inspection using this checklist should be completed by a competent person at minimum every 6 months, or more frequently if specified by the manufacturer or your organisation's safety management system. The gas detector must be bump-tested before each use and calibrated on the manufacturer's schedule (typically every 6 months). Any item that has been used in a rescue, subjected to a load, or found to be damaged must be immediately removed from service and inspected by a competent person before it can be returned to use. Keep a record of every inspection and any items replaced.

Frequently asked questions

What should a rescue kit inspection checklist include?: A rescue kit inspection checklist should cover all equipment required to carry out a rescue from the intended hazard (confined space and/or working at heights). For confined space rescue this typically includes: rescue rope (condition, length, rated load), a descender or rescue device (e.g. MPD, I'D or similar), anchor slings and straps, karabiners (gate action, locking, rating mark), pulleys, a rescue stretcher or rescue litter (for non-ambulant rescues), a first aid kit (dedicated to the rescue kit), a communication device (two-way radio or equivalent), a gas detector (calibrated, in date) and a standby person's harness. Storage bag or container condition and all labels and expiry dates should also be checked. The overall result, any defects and a declaration with inspector sign-off should be recorded.
How often should a rescue kit be inspected?: Rescue kits must be inspected before every confined space or heights work task. This is a pre-use check by the standby person or rescue team. A formal documented inspection (such as this checklist) should be completed by a competent person at least every 6 months, or more frequently as required by the manufacturer or your organisation's safety management system. The gas detector must be bump-tested and calibrated to the manufacturer's schedule. Any item that has been used in a rescue, subjected to a load or damaged must be removed from service and inspected before it is returned to use.
Who should inspect a rescue kit?: Pre-use checks before each confined space entry or heights task should be carried out by the standby person or a competent member of the rescue team. Formal periodic inspections (as documented with this checklist) should be completed by a competent person with training in rescue equipment inspection, this is typically someone who has completed working-at-heights or confined space rescue training and has demonstrated competency in assessing the equipment in the kit. For rope rescue equipment in particular, the person inspecting should have current training in rope rescue and be familiar with the specific equipment types in the kit.
Is the rescue kit inspection checklist template free to use without MapTrack?: Yes. You can download and use the rescue kit inspection checklist for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print → Save as PDF to keep a copy. No MapTrack account is required. If you want to manage rescue kit inspections digitally - registering each kit as an asset, scheduling recurring inspections, tracking equipment expiry dates and certifications, completing checks on mobile with photos, and keeping all records linked to each kit. MapTrack can help. Book a demo to find out more.

Need digital rescue kit inspections with expiry tracking?

Register each rescue kit as an asset in MapTrack. Track individual item expiry dates, schedule 6-monthly formal inspections, complete pre-use checks on mobile, and keep all records linked to each kit . Ready for any WHS audit or incident investigation.

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