MunterWrench

[flyingsquirrel25]

Tony, brother, I hear you man. Coming off a peg on a rated climbing system really is a matter of good sense. I agree. Rappelling down a pull rope is not recommended. I did not post this from a position of teaching, not really sure why you would see it that way. The one and only person that I am trying to teach anything to is my apprentice James. I work with him one-on-one so I know where he is with his climbing abilities and I can tailor my instruction just for him.

Unfortunately in this world it's not what you intend but what others perceive. With educated climber you are looked at as an individual that instructs (takes a lot of guts). I know when you put a video out (or anyone for that matter) I tend to gravitate toward it when I have time. It's the same with tony, many times people assume he is speaking for NATS, but in actuality (from me knowing him) it his knowledge and experience he's talking about. When he says he is a student of the rope he is, as with all of us to an extent. It's the position you guys are in that raises these misunderstandings when something questionable comes out.

I realize that someone in your position as an instructor cannot do that for the people you teach. You are, by definition, required to come up with one-size-fits-all solutions that work for every person, every time. You also approach every interaction with the assumption that the person being shown is an inexperienced noob who is likely to get themselves killed if you show them something wrong. Your sense of responsibility to this end is admirable, and I would love to read a blog post from you on this topic. Please know that I have a ton of respect for educators in this trade. Thank you for the work that you do to help arborists be safe and productive.

I have been through several classes tony has taught or helped teach. Both hands on and instructional. Through NATS and not. And all have been far from one size fits all. That is what makes a good instructor, someone who recognizes the need for something more or less advanced, knows when to aply the knowledge and when to step back and allow the participants to do and have the "ah ha" moment.

I'm not going to comment on the technique, as there is no need for another opinion, but instead comment on people; student or instructor, journeymen or apprentice we are all here for the same thing, knowledge! Some of us can discern good ideas from bad and all of us are looking for that great idea. Remember it's not how we intend, but how others perceive that determines how our information is taken and used or not.
I hope everyone has a great day and stays cool!

 

[Muggs]

I have been through several classes tony has taught or helped teach. Both hands on and instructional. Through NATS and not. And all have been far from one size fits all. That is what makes a good instructor, someone who recognizes the need for something more or less advanced, knows when to aply the knowledge and when to step back and allow the participants to do and have the "ah ha" moment.

I didn't explain myself very well there. I just mean that teaching a whole bunch of people at once is very different from one-on-one. I do not mean to imply that seminar instructors only know one way of doing things. Anyone who can communicate effectively in a group setting about the complexities of technical tree climbing is obviously very skilled and knowledgeable. Much respect.

Patrick