My favorite firearms instructor used to end his safety briefing by asking us
who the most safety dangerous guy on the range was most likely to be that day?
We’d all look around at each other wondering who he thought would make a
mistake.
He then would tell us that HE was the most likely because he had the most
intimate knowledge of his firearm and HE had the most experience of us all. His
deadly weapon was a tool like a hammer. To us newer guys we were,
appropriately, well enough trained to be cautious of what we had in our hands.
My point here is that the reality is as we become better and more experiences
we will often have lapses in safety protocols. Not because we are bad, but
because we are so used to things.
Not saying Paul did or didn’t... but before people blow up Dick, think about
one of the earlier posters who said Paul came to visit and climbed his tower
without safety gear for a selfie. Not saying Paul did that when he
unfortunately fell, but habits (good and bad) do form.
Everyone can make mistakes, even the most experienced.
There is a reason SWAT and Spec Op guys shoot and kill one another on accident
during training, just like average home owners do. Pick your dangerous
profession and I bet you each has their similarities.
If there was a mistake made, maybe we can further honor Paul by learning from
it.
If there wasn’t a mistake made, what’s wrong with talking about safety?
I’m so inexperienced that I strap up on the ground and hook in! :)
Tim / N6WIN
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Thursday, November 1, 2018, 14:18, rlvz--- via TowerTalk
<towertalk@contesting.com> wrote:
I in no way was trying to indicate that Paul was "skimping" on tower safety.
But I know I have at times when working on antennas close to the ground. In
the future, I'm going to be more careful.
73,
Dick- K9OM
(56 years tower experience)
In a message dated 11/1/2018 4:01:53 PM Central Standard Time,
k4to.dave@gmail.com writes:
We have NO information as to what went wrong with Paul's accident. I doubt
that we ever will. It is not right to speculate on what he may or may not have
been doing and I certainly wouldn't accuse him of skimping on safety measures
without the sure knowledge that that was what was happening. I NEVER set foot
above ground without having my safety equipment fully engaged. Paul was in his
80's. He (and I have had over 60 years experience climbing. He deserves more
respect than to speculate that he skimped on safety.
K4TOP
On Thu, Nov 1, 2018 at 4:44 PM rlvz--- via TowerTalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
wrote:
Paul Bittner was an extremely well experienced tower climber. Very few
commercial tower climbers have as much experience as Paul did which is a rather
scary thought. We need to use great safety measures when climbing towers
regardless how experienced we are. I believe that experienced tower climbers,
including myself, sometimes skimp on safety measures when we are working on
antennas mounted close to ground, which I believe is what Paul was doing as the
initial report said he was working on an antenna 60' above ground. As most of
you know, Paul had 35 towers and was used to standing on antenna booms at the
200' level.
This tremendous loss of Paul Bittner- W0AIH has me really re-thinking the
tower safety measures and precautions I use, and that I better not skimp on
tower safety.
Let's do our best at being careful with antenna and tower work so we can enjoy
our wonderful hobby.
73,
Dick- K9OM
In a message dated 11/1/2018 3:27:04 PM Central Standard Time,
xe2fl.kf5mn@gmail.com writes:
The death of W0AIH and others,send us a flag that only experienced tower
mounting men should do it! Saludos, Fernando José Muguerza,XE2FL Cel.
81.1589.2930 Email. Fernandojmuguerza@gmail.com Email. xe2fl.kf5mn@gmail.com
Enviado desde mi iPhone _______________________________________________
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