[TowerTalk] Tower accident

[Ken K6MR]

Yes, this may be “baseless speculation”, but there are certain climbing rules that make it impossible for such an “accident” to happen.  100% tie off is one of them.

I’d bet dollars to donuts he free climbed to where he needed to work, and then tried to put a positioning lanyard in place.  Had he been climbing with a dual hook fall arrest harness, this would not have happened.

Ken K6MR

From: sawyered at earthlink.net<mailto:sawyered at earthlink.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2020 04:45
To: towertalk at contesting.com<mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower accident

Since the climber appears to have survived, maybe a statement of what
happened will be forthcoming.  Until then, baseless speculation provides no
value.



Climbing is a dangerous activity.  Just ask your life insurance company.  We
do so with inherent risks that can be properly managed with good equipment,
a safe and proper approach, and good judgment.  If you skip any of those,
you put yourself at great risk and shouldn't climb.



While any video on climbing can be helpful, the fact is that "the
equipment", which is the major focus of the K1IR video, is rarely the
primary cause of climbing accidents from the careful reading that I do of
these incidents.  Clipping on the wrong thing, pushing the "un-guyed" length
of tower during assembly or disassembly, rusted old towers, un known guy
condition of old towers, and generally "WTF was he thinking?" occurrences
are the VAST majorities of tragic incidents.



Look and listen for the "click" is about the best 6 words any tower climber
can remind themselves of.  And don't climb a tower or extend yourself above
the lowest guy that makes your gut say - I hope this is okay - it probably
isn't.



Ed  N1UR

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