Besides having someone (anyone) nearby, I always consider an escape route,
even if only using a ladder to access a roof. Look down and think, "If I
had to, could I jump and live?" And if so, think about how and burn that
image into your mind. Another point to ponder: Unless you're so well
connected to the tower that you could be unconscious and not fall, always
remember that if something becomes so heavy or wind-torn that "something's
got to give," make sure the thing that gives is whatever you're holding
(beam, mast, rotor, whatever) and not you.
I've seen guys break legs and worse simply because they were handling
something they shouldn't have been, too close to the edge of a roof! One
gust of wind, and instead of letting go of the antenna, they, along with the
antenna, blew right over the edge. That's just plain ol' dumb, but it sure
happens.
Kind of like the guy taking a snapshot near the edge of the Grand
Canyon...."just a little bit back, Joe..." -WB2WIK/6
"Success is the ability to go from failure to failure with no loss of
enthusiasm." -Winston Churchill
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tony King - W4ZT [SMTP:towertalk@w4zt.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2003 11:01 AM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: [BULK] - Re: [TowerTalk] working alone (was "climbing
> safety")
>
> At 01:41 PM 11/26/2003, Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 wrote:
> ><snip>
> > Well, my wife is a little concerned that I work alone.
> ><snip>
> > Mark, N5OT
> >
> >Easy. Get her to be your second person. I climb alone, but my
> >partner is observing, and even helping, from the ground. And has a
> >telephone to hand.
> >
> >73, doug
> <snip>
>
> EXCELLENT advice! I frequently climb with my wife as my helper. She
> knows
> how to find tools and dial a phone should I get in trouble. Now, she also
> wears a hard hat with her call sign on it. We use a pair of FRS radios so
>
> there is no question about being able to communicate and verify our
> condition. If you can't get your wife to help, ANYONE is better than no
> one. Take a lawn chair along, one that leans back, and your helper can be
> comfortable while watching you work. Makes for one place to look for the
> help and cuts down on the sore neck complaints.
>
> This thread could go on and on about the pros and cons of folks paying
> attention when they're on the ground etc. but I find from my experience
> you
> need one person on the ground that KNOWS what you're doing and that
> everyone else listens to for direction. If they're not directly involved
> with helping, they keep well away from the tower. Ground conversation does
>
> not take priority over what the guy on the tower is doing.... EVER!
>
> Good luck in the CQWW CW this weekend and HAPPY TURKEY!
>
> 73,
> Tony W4ZT
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
> Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with
> any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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