[TowerTalk] Fall Arrest Post- fall response, A Medical Emergency

[JC Smith]

Just a couple thoughts on this, comments welcome.

I'm sure there are a variety of harness styles, and some are much more
suited to hanging than others.  For years I used a spare skydiving harness
as a safety harness for roof work.  It was fairly comfortable and didn't cut
off any blood supply.  The guys flying paragliders sit in their harnesses
for hours.  Remember, these harnesses are designed not only to sit in but
also to handle opening shock, which can really ring your bell under certain
conditions.  I know, I know, it's not designed for tower climbing so I'm
sure I'll get a few "stern warnings" but just so you know, I also have a
"real" climbing harness and I feel just as safe (and a lot more comfortable)
in my parachute harness.  It was a lot cheaper too.

73 - JC


-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of HFDXJUNKIE at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 9:06 AM
To: aa6eg at hotmail.com; towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Fall Arrest Post- fall response, A Medical
Emergency

My Wife is a nurse, she told me the medical condition ( cant think of the
name now) that happens after just a few minutes of dangling from a
harness...the
 blood as it flows into your legs cant get back to the heart...there is no
muscle  contraction from weight on the legs to assist (pump) the blood
out..generally you will pass out as stated and die. If you are alive when
able  to be
placed on the ground or stretcher most of the time the heart cant handle
the
blood rush back to the heart and you also die. Their are a lot of issues
dangling from anything.  Fighter pilots in high speed aircraft are also
trained
to exercise muscles during flight to avoid the same type of conditions.  So
as
its been stated..time is a big issue during a rescue...the crew at the
tower
need to do it than , there ..not wait for help, the helpers need to be the
rescuers, too many are not aware of the risks involved and will be in
serious
trouble if a problem ever arises. If your alone with just a helper on the
ground..well good luck ! To each is own.

                                  Pete  NA2P
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