| Inception of Bailout Systems
The reason Bailout Systems got started
After rock climbing at the Red River Gorge, an experience that resulted in a 90-foot fall and a 3-day coma, veteran climber Michael Ragsdale realized that current descent systems were not adequate for high-performance, industry-specific situations. This lack of purpose-built equipment became more apparent when Michael realized that many first responders are forced to use the same gear that had failed him. Michael set out to make rescue safer and more efficient by founding Bailout Systems. Established in 2015, Bailout systems began as a company developing fall safety solutions for the fire industry.
| Our Story & Timeline
As Bailout’s technology continued to evolve, Michael saw an opportunity to leverage his Military experience in team-building and established Bailout System’s Engineering and Product Development Division. This division is focused on bringing Bailout’s revolutionary technology to multiple industries. Always adhering to rigorous design standards, demanding specifications, and quality inspections, Michael and his team began to design the next evolution of fall safety.
Today, Bailout Systems is an employee-owned, nationally recognized company that innovates life safety equipment with broad applications in rescue and other at-height scenarios. We proudly manufacture every Bailout Systems product in the USA.
Our Timeline
2015
Company Formation: Bailout Systems LLC
2016
Initial Prototypes
2016_02
Manufacturing Partnership
2016_04
Market Validation / FDIC Conference
2016_12
Funding
2017
Technology Development
2019
Alpha Prototype / Customer Field Testing
2020
Beta Improvements
2020
Product Launch
| Our Expertise
Design, Develop, Market
These are the core values and processes within Bailout Systems. We are independently owned and managed, allowing us the flexibility to explore emerging markets, invest in advanced technology, and remain at the forefront of product innovation.
DESIGN
Our research department integrates all aspects of product design: mechanical, textile, electronic, optic, and computing. Starting from the inception of an idea, the core user is paramount to everything we do. The reliability of our products, user safety, and product usability are continually evaluated with a strong focus on developing solutions that mitigate risk while enhancing user performance.
PROTOTYPE
Prototyping provides an early opportunity to test and validate design intent without committing any significant investment. Our extensive in-house prototyping capabilities allow us to progress an initial sketch concept to a full production prototype. Our rigorous testing methodology enables validation of product reliability and user safety across multiple markets and environments. Our lab tests are complemented with field testing to ensure proper ergonomics and product reliability.
MANUFACTURE
Our highly skilled manufacturing department is where our innovative ideas transform from raw material to finished goods. Using some of the latest high-speed CNC machines and advanced manufacturing strategies, Bailout Systems is ready and able to meet increasing demand as we continue to advance the level of technology within our products.
Meet the team
Founding Team
MICHAEL RAGSDALE
CEO
BEN KRUPP
VP of Engineering
HASKELL SIMPKINS
Director of Engineering
PATRICK HENKE
Director of Industrial Design
Advisory Board
GREGORY BELL
Operations
ERIK ZAMUDIO
Marketing
NANCY KOORS
Board Member, Chair
Our Partners
