[TowerTalk] Roswell Tower Accident

[ve4xt at mts.net]

Am I the only one who got that the point of Doug's free-climb reference 
was not to advocate free climbing, but rather to illustrate the level of 
fitness required to do tower climbing safely?

I had thought that the departure of a certain 1-lander would REDUCE the 
amount of personal invective spewed forth. Sadly, it seems to only have 
increased.

73, kelly
ve4xt


> From: "Charette, Douglas" <ChareDo at tulsaschools.org>
> Date: 2007/10/29 Mon PM 01:22:27 CDT
> To: <TowerTalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Roswell Tower Accident
> 
> "It's not the free climbing risk, it's
> doing something stupid while on the tower"
> 
> Which would be defined as free climbing the tower.
> 
> 73, Doug W5GA
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Doug 
Renwick
> Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 1:03 PM
> To: 'Ethan'
> Cc: 'TowerTalk'
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Roswell Tower Accident
> 
> Ethan you are trying to create a perfect world that doesn't exist.  Or
> the sky could fall on my head.  As a trained athlete you are aware of
> your body's condition and state.  It's not the free climbing risk, it's
> doing something stupid while on the tower.
> You are upset since I took away your 'drivers license'.  
> 
> Doug
> 
> 
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Roswell Tower Accident
> 
> Doug Renwick wrote:
> > 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
> >   
> Forgive me for being so direct but I think it's necessary.
> 
> That is the stupidest response I've ever heard!  You would be better off
> 
> getting rid of all your climbing gear and hiring someone with sense in 
> their head to do your work for you.  You're not superman, you don't have
> 
> fingers of steel that lock on securely.  If you climb a tower without 
> being attached 100% of the time, you take the risk that the smallest 
> thing could cost you your life!  You could get stung by a bee, a loose 
> bolt could fall on your head and knock you unconscious, you could have 
> an unexplained dizzy spell, and even the best trained athletes 
> occasionally suffer from muscle cramps.
> 
> Testing and inspecting your gear is something you do before you climb.  
> Good gear makes a positive connection and locks in place - you know 
when
> 
> you have it right.  Testing by pulling is pretty useless, because many 
> accidents resulting in a fall have been caused by an improper 
connection
> 
> that held enough to give the foolish climber a false sense of security.
> 
> Know your equipment and know your attachment points!
> 
> -- 
> Ethan KC8HES
> 
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