I am fascinated by the description of the fall-arrest device using a reel
similar to those used on auto safety belts. I have checked the Pinkerton Sales
and Ultra-Safe web sites, but have not seen anything like this. Did anyone get
a part number or other identifying info?
73, Pete N4ZR
At 10:48 AM 6/14/2006, Terry Gerdes wrote:
>I was at the same demonstration, very impressive. I did pick up a business
>card and their web site is:
>http://www.pinkertonsales.com/
>
>73 Terry - AB5K
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Mike Bragassa" <bragassa@consolidated.net>
>To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
>Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 9:35 AM
>Subject: [TowerTalk] Climbing belts/harnesses demonstration
>
>
>> This past weekend at HamCom in Plano Texas; a representative of Pinkerton
>> Sales; a manufacturing rep company for "Ultra-Safe", a climbing belt
>> ("fall-arrest") company, gave an excellent demo outside of the convention
>> hall on their demo-trailer. He would winch up a 220# weight and demo
>> different situations. The message was that different lanyards ( position
>> or
>> fall-arrest, whichever) exert dramatic differences in force to the user
>> when
>> a fall occurs.
>> As I recall (+/-)and briefly:
>> 1. Six foot conventional lanyard: 2500# (ouch!)
>> 2. Six foot lanyard w/ sewn fold-out layers (shock absorbing): 700# (still
>> "ouch")
>> 3. Six foot lanyard, now get this, WITH A KNOT IN IT: "0" force; it broke
>> instantly! (Big ouch!)
>> At least on two of the ouch's, the user survived.
>>
>> He demonstrated, basically, two types of climbing harnesses:
>> 1. Conventional, as we know, nylon straps.
>> 2. A nylon harness, but the straps have some very slight stretch to them.
>> I
>> liked that harness.
>>
>> He added that any and all harnesses must be tightened "firmly"; not loose
>> and, of course, not uncomfortably too-tight. Any extreme slack or
>> sloppiness
>> can be harmful to ones health in the event of a fall.
>>
>> He also mentioned that always someone should be present while the climber
>> is
>> working in the tower and have a plan in the event of a fall. He cautioned
>> that even with the best fall-arrest full body harness, it is very
>> dangerous
>> to let the climber hang very long in the harness as the force of the leg
>> straps in the groin area can shut-off blood circulation. It has been
>> fatal.
>>
>> He demo'd one little gadget, like a reeled-up harness, that you hook ahead
>> of your climb that catch's you immediately; with no drop at all; much, I
>> think, as a vehicle safety belt does. Gradual movement around the tower
>> or
>> climbing does not set it off; but a "instant thrust" (my words) does;
>> again,
>> much like a vehicle safety belt.
>>
>> He said that OSHA does not approve climbing gear; but does dis-approve
>> climbing gear.
>>
>> As a climber of my own and others towers; it sure got me to thinking. If
>> you
>> ever have the opportunity to view one of these demonstrations; I highly
>> recommend it. Especially for those of us that need to be re-educated from
>> using the old conventional belt-only climbing belt. Sure it worked and
>> worked good; but it is full of weaknesses.
>>
>> Mike, K5UO
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
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