When using pickets to create an anchor, at what angle should they be driven?

When creating an anchor using pickets, driving them at an angle is crucial for ensuring stability and strength. An angle of 15 degrees is considered appropriate because it allows for the picket to provide the best resistance against pulling forces that can occur during a rescue operation. This relatively shallow angle helps distribute the load more evenly over the surface area of the soil or material into which the picket is driven, thereby enhancing the holding power.

At a steeper angle, such as those closer to 45 or 60 degrees, the picket would provide less effective holding power due to the increased likelihood of being pulled out for the given forces acting on it. A 30-degree angle, while better than steeper angles, does not provide as much stability in comparison to 15 degrees, which is designed to maximize the picket’s resistance against the tension forces in rope rescue scenarios.