Back in my younger and dumber days I tried lowering 24 feet of very heavy
aluminum tower with some big steel folding mechanism on top.
The plan was to tie a rope to the top part, and back around a tree to act
as a brake. I was going to hold the rope and had the rope wrapped around
my hand. All went as planned until the tower got to 30 degrees from
vertical. It started to slide very fast and I got pinned to the tree with the
rope around my hand and the rope kept getting tighter and tighter. I was in a
really bad situation and managed to get my hand somewhat loose. When I
did the tower started freefalling and taking the rope with it. My hand was
still somewhat enclosed by the rope and I got about 25 feet of rope buzzing
over the top part of my hand. Lots of blood but no serious damage
I started shaking after the whole affair. It scared the crap out of me to
think I might have lost my hand. I still have the big scar across the top
of my left hand from that smart move.
Oh, the tower came down with a crash, but was no worse for the wear! It
fared better than the owner.
Moral...dropping the tower from vertical to horizontal is a lot trickier
than it seems.
Bill K4XS/KH7XS
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