[TowerTalk] Roswell Tower Accident

[Gene Smar]

TT:

     I learned quite a few things about towers and climbing them here on TowerTalk.  The one that comes to my mind from Doug's advice on testing your connection to the tower is this:  Look, Listen and Feel.

1.   Look at where you're connecting.  Make sure you're hooking onto your D ring and not to a tool on your climbing belt.  

2.   Listen for the positive click of the snap hook closing onto the D ring.

3.   Feel the snap hook to make sure it's actually closed.

     Only then should you lean back and transfer your safety from your hands to the positiong strap.  

     BTW - Your snap hook should be connected to the D ring of your climbing belt with its opening AWAY from you.  You won't roll into the snap hook and disengage it.  Of course, most serious positioning belts these days have double snap hooks that include a safety catch that prevents roll-outs.  The second catch must be depressed before the snap's main catch can be opened. Tough to open accidentally. 

     Caveat Amateur.


73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F


From: Doug Renwick <ve5ra at sasktel.net>
Date: 2007/10/24 Wed PM 10:36:47 CDT
To: 'TowerTalk' <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Roswell Tower Accident

IMO if you can't free climb a tower then maybe you shouldn't be climbing
at all.  One or preferably two connections at the work level is advised.
Do not rush.  Test your connection with both hands on the tower before
transferring your life from your hands to your connection.  IMO a lot of
hams are out of shape.  If you are going to climb then you better be in
good physical shape or forget it.

Doug