[TowerTalk] Tower climbing- and the our great loss of W0AIH

[Timothy Coker]

My favorite firearms instructor used to end his safety briefing by asking us who the most safety dangerous guy on the range was most likely to be that day?
We’d all look around at each other wondering who he thought would make a mistake.
He then would tell us that HE was the most likely because he had the most intimate knowledge of his firearm and HE had the most experience of us all. His deadly weapon was a tool like a hammer. To us newer guys we were, appropriately, well enough trained to be cautious of what we had in our hands.
My point here is that the reality is as we become better and more experiences we will often have lapses in safety protocols. Not because we are bad, but because we are so used to things.
Not saying Paul did or didn’t... but before people blow up Dick, think about one of the earlier posters who said Paul came to visit and climbed his tower without safety gear for a selfie. Not saying Paul did that when he unfortunately fell, but habits (good and bad) do form.
Everyone can make mistakes, even the most experienced.
There is a reason SWAT and Spec Op guys shoot and kill one another on accident during training, just like average home owners do. Pick your dangerous profession and I bet you each has their similarities.
If there was a mistake made, maybe we can further honor Paul by learning from it.
If there wasn’t a mistake made, what’s wrong with talking about safety?
I’m so inexperienced that I strap up on the ground and hook in! :)
Tim / N6WIN


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone


On Thursday, November 1, 2018, 14:18, rlvz--- via TowerTalk <towertalk at contesting.com> wrote:

I in no way was trying to indicate that Paul was "skimping" on tower safety.  But I know I have at times when working on antennas close to the ground.  In the future, I'm going to be more careful.
 
73,
Dick- K9OM  

(56 years tower experience)
In a message dated 11/1/2018 4:01:53 PM Central Standard Time, k4to.dave at gmail.com writes:
 
We have NO information as to what went wrong with Paul's accident.  I doubt that we ever will.  It is not right to speculate on what he may or may not have been doing and I certainly wouldn't accuse him of skimping on safety measures without the sure knowledge that that was what was happening.  I NEVER set foot above ground without having my safety equipment fully engaged. Paul was in his 80's.  He (and I have had over 60 years experience climbing.  He deserves more respect than to speculate that he skimped on safety.
 
K4TOP

On Thu, Nov 1, 2018 at 4:44 PM rlvz--- via TowerTalk <towertalk at contesting.com> wrote:
Paul Bittner was an extremely well experienced tower climber.  Very few commercial tower climbers have as much experience as Paul did which is a rather scary thought.  We need to use great safety measures when climbing towers regardless how experienced we are.  I believe that experienced tower climbers, including myself, sometimes skimp on safety measures when we are working on antennas mounted close to ground, which I believe is what Paul was doing as the initial report said he was working on an antenna 60' above ground.  As most of you know, Paul had 35 towers and was used to standing on antenna booms at the 200' level.
  
 This tremendous loss of Paul Bittner- W0AIH has me really re-thinking the tower safety measures and precautions I use, and that I better not skimp on tower safety.  
  
 Let's do our best at being careful with antenna and tower work so we can enjoy our wonderful hobby.
  
 73,
 Dick- K9OM  
  
  
 In a message dated 11/1/2018 3:27:04 PM Central Standard Time, xe2fl.kf5mn at gmail.com writes:

  
  The death of W0AIH and others,send us a flag that only experienced tower mounting men should do it! Saludos, Fernando José Muguerza,XE2FL Cel. 81.1589.2930 Email. Fernandojmuguerza at gmail.com Email. xe2fl.kf5mn at gmail.com Enviado desde mi iPhone _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ TowerTalk mailing list TowerTalk at contesting.comhttp://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
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