Running bowline vs lanyard

[matdand]

We had a hot debate at work today about where to place your lanyard and running bowline when cutting wood on spar using snap cuts.

I was always told to put your lanyard above your bowline to «protect» your chocking system if you were to accidently come in contact with one of your lines (most likely to be your lanyard because it is closer to the cut).

But I always thought it was weird because this would mean that you would fall into your chocking system (bowline), potentially creating more hasards (falling with a running saw).

To me it seems to make more sense to have your lanyard beneath your bowline, this way if you were to accidentally cut the line closest to the saw you wouldn't even move, you would just have to retie a bowline.

One of the arguments against this was that if you cut your bowline then you cut your escape route to the ground and you could maybe fall all the way to the ground because you are left without a chocking system.

I still think that no fall is better than maybe a fall but I would like to hear opinions on this...Thanks!!!

 

[JeffL]

I think the whole argument is moot. If you are just bombing wood, why even place your lines that close? Is cutting 10-12" above your lines going to be the end of the world?

 

[matdand]

Ya it might seem like common sense to most but what I forgot to mention was this debate was between tree climbing instructors at an arborist school.

They need to adopt a protocol on how to teach beginners with very little chainsaw and climbing experience. These skills will eventually be transmited to rigging and blocking later on.

Thanks Jeff!

 

[chewbacca]

It makes the most sense to put your lanyard closest to the high speed chainsaw chain when your lanyard is a wire core flipline. Otherwise, I agree, it wouldn't make a whole lot of difference.

 

[JeffL]

In that case, flip line on top. That way should poop hit the fan, I've still got an escape route. Obviously being cautious where I place my friction saver or climbing line to avoid pinching it or burning it on the rigging line.

 

[Jesse]

Yea, I always put my chocked off climbing line below my lanyard. Like Jeff said you would still have an escape route if you were to cut your lanyard. And having the lanyard up higher is better for positioning for the cut anyway.

 

[banjo]

Yup, just like Jeff and Jesse said. If we are talking about which would be worse to cut, for me it would be my path to the ground.

 

[matdand]

Even if it created a fall first???

 

[chewbacca]

If you cut your choked rope, you'd still have the rope hanging from you attached by your friction hitch (unless of course you actually cut your hitch cord. Therefore, you'd still be able to descend once you retied which, of course, takes time. I kinda like the idea of taking a small fall after cutting your flipline. In that instant, you'd lose contact with the saw and the cut would stop before you'd be able to cut through your climb line as well.

All of this is theory of course. Every situation is different. Best practice would be to stay well clear of everything except wood. That equals no problems.

 

[treehumper]

Why encourage setting lines that close to the cut? Blocking spars, I have an adjustable FS or chock my climb line with a 'biner. I usually set the lanyard above as it allows better positioning so I can cut well clear of the 2 points of contact.

My rationale has more to do with if I am injured and have dropped into the tie-ins. The lanyard can be unclipped or cut to allow descent on the climb line. If the climb line were on top there is a potential, albeit remote, that the lanyard becomes pinched under it making getting down somewhat more difficult.

As for the instructors the protocol may be to discuss the pros and cons of either set up as there is no industry standard. Emphasize the importance of a thoughtful approach wherein through the steps of setting up and positioning yourself and the cut that you always mentally assess the relationship of your tie-ins to the cutting path.

 

[Tony]

[ QUOTE ]

As for the instructors the protocol may be to discuss the pros and cons of either set up as there is no industry standard. Emphasize the importance of a thoughtful approach wherein through the steps of setting up and positioning yourself and the cut that you always mentally assess the relationship of your tie-ins to the cutting path.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey that sounds familiar! I could not agree more. Do what you do for a reason with a specific outcome in mind. If you do not care, then by all means get out of the tree.

Tony

 

[Adkpk]

Ya, "what if", is a sound mantra to repeat while working in a tree.