I'm not about to tell anyone else what to do, but a fall from the first set
of guys could be fatal or cause massive injury. Even a fall from 10 feet can
be very bad.
I use dual clips, but they're a pain and slow me down, especially when
climbing over my three TIC rings. There's a tradeoff in that the extra
motion and especially the extra hand muscle use required to clip and unclip
literally dozens of times leads to fatigue and sometimes hand cramps --
especially in hot weather, when on the tower for long periods, etc. That can
be unsafe, too -- once fatigue sets in it's easy drop tools or omit a
critical step, like clipping one side of the Y-lanyard before unclipping the
other side. But I've chosen to use the clips as the lesser of two evils.
I've long felt that the best solution is a safety cable with a jumar
(ascender.) I don't need to climb often, so I haven't gotten around to
installing one on my tower (actually, three because of the TIC rings.) Even
then, I'd have to use a Y-lanyard to get around the TIC rings. But I'm sure
safety cables would make each climb much faster and less fatiguing, and
they're not all that expensive.
FWIW, when I first stop at a work position, I quickly clip in with a short
strap that has carabiners at each end, one attached to the tower and one
attached to the D-ring on my chest. Unlike the Y-lanyard (both sides of
which are also clipped in), this frees both hands and allows me to lean back
while I put the belt around (through) the tower. I do this not only because
it's awkward to thread the belt with one hand while holding on to the tower
with the other hand, but also because while the Y-lanyard would probably
save my life if I fell, there could be some serious injury just falling the
six feet or so and being pulled up short, despite the lanyard having a shock
absorber. If I don't need to move much at the work position, I'll leave the
short strap clipped in. Otherwise, I rely on the belt. The short strap
wouldn't be needed with a climbing cable.
73, Dick WC1M
-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Sawyer [mailto:sawyered@earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2016 11:13 AM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Sad news N5IA SK in tower fall
Very sad to hear. I didn't know Milt but those that did sure describe a
great person.
A 70+ year old free climber that has been doing it for decades and as solid
a person as Milt is described, had fully processed and come to peace with
what balance of safety, speed, and convenience he was deciding, in my
opinion.
At 54, and having climbed for almost 40 years (first as a 16 year old free
climber with the old leather lineman's belts), I know that balance well. I
personally free climb to the first set of guys (usually 25 - 35 feet
depending on the tower) unless the weather is VERY cold (fear of stiff
hands) and then "clip in" as I go after that. But I don't use dual clips.
Just am not climbing while unclipped above that height. I am always clipped
in as I stop and work, at any height. Is it the utmost in safety? No, but
it does prevent me from moving while unclipped at dangerous heights. If I
were to lose a grip while climbing, I am belted in.
We all know these choices. If this tragic accident causes you to change
your mind, great. It needed to be changed. If you are truly at peace with
what you are doing and why, then it shouldn't matter.
I can think of A LOT worse ways to go than falling to my death, doing what I
loved, at 70+.
Rest in peace Milt.
73
Ed N1UR
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