Climber Falling Out of Tree

just took a 30ft fall myself last month. landed on a rod iron rose climbing thing (thank god it was arched). couldnt walk for a week couldnt climb for twoo three weeks. did an over night at the hospital. My fall was a result of my RIG not locking up. Best thing I have come up with for preventing it is to not ground tie while in a tree with a RIG. There is a chance for a momentary bounce and slacking allowing for the cam to open and not lock. At that point the running end of the rope can be above the RIG instead of hanging below, allowing for an open run.Nothing like finding that out the hard way and giving your self a second A-hole 2 centimeters from my rectum.
 
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just took a 30ft fall myself last month. landed on a rod iron rose climbing thing (thank god it was arched). couldnt walk for a week couldnt climb for twoo three weeks. did an over night at the hospital. My fall was a result of my RIG not locking up. Best thing I have come up with for preventing it is to not ground tie while in a tree with a RIG. There is a chance for a momentary bounce and slacking allowing for the cam to open and not lock. At that point the running end of the rope can be above the RIG instead of hanging below, allowing for an open run.Nothing like finding that out the hard way and giving your self a second A-hole 2 centimeters from my rectum.

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Glad to hear your alright. What were you using?
 
Good question, Mac. I'm going with a bowline backed up with a few half hitches. Either that, or..."If you don't know a knot, tie alot!"

I wonder if he will be sealing his spike wounds while on the way down?

A good deal of utility line clearance climbers will spike prune jobs as standard company protocol. I wonder if that relates to his industry experience.
 
Looks like they're making it up as they go. His rigging attachment was "3 wraps and a bunch of normal knots". I'm guessing the fall was as he went to unattached climbing to pass some branches. A tantilizing shortcut but you better hold on tight and hope there's no surprises.
 
Wasn't sure if I could watch this video, given present circumstances. But I got through it.

It really does happen that fast. We're a ballsy lot by nature, and part of that is a "never happen to me" attitude. Except it can, and does. And you'll never see it coming. You won't even have time to say FU......

Fairfield, I'm very happy you're still here with us, and it sounds like you got VERY lucky. Things could have been far worse.

I'll post my story soon.
 
Wow; I've owned many saws through the years. I've never had one with a "blade". Mine have always come with "bars" and "chains". I guess they have the good gear?
 
It was only after I'd taken a 15-20 foot fall with too much slack in my bodyline when the euc branch I was on let go, and my bodyline caught me and spun me around skywards so violently, giving just enough to keep me from breaking my back, that I gained true confidence in my equipments true ability to save my sorry butt, if used methodically, with no exceptions, as a life and death rule?

I didn't even know about body lines for the first 7 years of my career.

It's not that hard to use a couple of lanyards to alternate with and remain tied in with something at all times. It's saved my butt lots of times over the years.

One of the greatest things about redirecting your bodyline away from the main trunk prior to going out on a sketchy lateral to remove it, is that if something breaks or goes wrong on that limb? You can bail out onto your lifeline without worrying about breaking your neck slamming the trunk if you can't spin around and land feet first.

Methodical planning with built in contingency factors, like a logger cutting and clearing an escape route before committing himself to the admittedly dangerous job at hand.

Do it or lose it.

jomoco
 
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