Pre installed lines in case of emergency

P

pntrees

Hi everyone, I am currently in my last year of the BSc Arb and sorting out my dissertation. I am looking at if and when a second line should be pre installed during tree work operations to reduce aerial rescue times in the event of an accident and also if other countries differ from that of the UK. If you could possibly take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire on the link below that would be a great help. The questionnaire is anonymous.
Thanks in advance
Questionnaire
 
Why aren't spikes included in the survey. Isn't tree removal part of arboriculture anymore? Or do we just leave it to the untrained? During most removals an extra rope would create a hazard.
 
What else might be entailed with that? If an access line is present and no one is trained or capable of using it, it may not serve the intended purpose. I think it's wise for a company to have a rescue plan in place, and perhaps include rescue options during each specific job briefing. Should certain equipment be delegated for specific use and inspected as necessary? So many questions arise...
As a former commercial fisherman, every vessel I worked on had EPIRBs, life rafts, etc, as mandatory equipment. What could all of this add up to for arborists?
 
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Why aren't spikes included in the survey. Isn't tree removal part of arboriculture anymore? Or do we just leave it to the untrained? During most removals an extra rope would create a hazard.

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Lots to be said for the above. We usually evaluate and implement the access line on all our jobs but anytime we are rigging and swinging we have the concern and problem of the access line being in the way.

As for excluding spikes, rescue with the idea of pre-excluding any tool, including spikes, is missing the point of rescue.

In a rescue situation you need all options to remain open, ensure that you do not become a second victim and then limit collateral damage.

I'd really hate to tell my climber's wife, "Sorry, but we lost your husband today. After he got hurt in the tree I had a hard time getting to him because we didn't have spikes with us because we don't like hurting trees with them."

If the use of spikes won't make a difference then don't use them but at least you have them.
 
A second line or preonstalled throwline can be a part of a comprehensive rescue plan.

Seatbelts aren't the only solution either. But wearing them along with other actions sure makes a crash more survivable.
 
I always have spikes along but seldom use them. removals are not arboriculture, but forestry/aerial logging imo, but that is just mo!

2nd line is typical for me cuz i do a lot of reduction pruning on spreading trees. making one standard seems like requiring chaps or chain mail in trees, overkill on the safety concerns.

Aerial rescue seems like another thread, but we have to be honest about the odds of success before building more steps onto every work plan--and every tcc?-- around improving the very small chances of success for that eventuality.

survey was sobering--31+ is the oldest category? Reminds me of the old saying, Don't trust anyone over 30!
 
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cause its not practical in almost all situations..

[/ QUOTE ] What an absurd comment. You need to see trees in a new way. I would say it is often practical to set an access line. Your approach to climbing is limiting you.
 
Guy, I understand your view of removals being something other than tree care. I have bigger concerns about the direction of arboriculture. Like all the practices driven by economic motivation rather than practical concern for the enviroment making claims of being a tree saviour.
 
One of our industry leaders included this type of subject in a class he taught. WHat I took from it was (And feel free to correct me Mark) is if you can false crotch the main climbing line on a second rope do so. You greatly reduce needing anyone to enter a tree to make a rescue by doing so because the climber can be lowered by groundies at almost anytime or in any position short of the climber being stuck or pinched; with the second rope. I believe it's a mainly standard practice in that company now to do so. This seems like about as proactive as possible to minimze rescue times.
 
I often install an extra access line. Even pretied for DbRT with snaps, micropulley and all.

It's the very least I can do if I needed rescuing someday.

Simple due-diligence.
 
This will work well, though if the climber is "injured" while secured by two points of attachment (climbing line & lanyard), one would have to be released before lowering, still requiring access by a rescuer.
 
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This will work well, though if the climber is "injured" while secured by two points of attachment (climbing line & lanyard), one would have to be released before lowering, still requiring access by a rescuer.

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This is one of the few scenarios where the technique of cutting the climber's lanyard with a pruner would be useful.
 
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