Just ordered climbing kit

[Aicchalmers]

Just set me back £450 .. ouch, but a good investment.

I'm hoping to do an aerial climbing and rescue course at the beginning of april, so until then what would you say would be good to practice and do to get the most experience?

I'm a reasonably experienced tree climber already with drt and srt but mostly using odd bits of kit I've put together, so I reckon just getting a good bit of recreational climbing in on different types of trees and getting properly to grips with throwlines etc should get me bang on the spot. Never really had to do aerial rescues before but that's what the course is for I guess, and the weekend betweeen the course and assessment I can practice with some friends and teach them something too

Is it worth getting a wire core flipline and spikes for a new climber or is it only really worth it when I'm qualified with a chainsaw up a tree / when I find a need for it?

If I understand rightly then I'll be perfectly qualified to cut as much as I physically can with handtools on a rope and harness and install equipment in trees?

Do I need LOLER checks on new equipment or just a good check over all of the equipment and then loler at every 6 months after?

[Tom@JPU]

You will need spikes for your aerial rescue as one of the rescues you do is a pole rescue on spikes. Wire core flip line handy but no essential

 

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[Aicchalmers]

Anybody have any idea on LOLER for new equipment?

[htb]

6 mths from entering service I think

[zachjosh]

Beech, tall pines, good trees to have a play around, and practicing throw line.

 

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[bob]

Keep your receipts and you don't need it testing for 6 months if it's all new.

Personally it's often worth doing the chainsaw from a rope and harness attached to your climbing training so you can actually go out and be more use than someone that can only really use a hand saw or do aerial rescue.

In reality even if you pass you will not be proficient enough to be a proper rescue climber.

I would only count you as a rescue climber when you have earned your stripes and a competent climber

[Aicchalmers]

Keep your receipts and you don't need it testing for 6 months if it's all new.

Personally it's often worth doing the chainsaw from a rope and harness attached to your climbing training so you can actually go out and be more use than someone that can only really use a hand saw or do aerial rescue.

In reality even if you pass you will not be proficient enough to be a proper rescue climber.

I would only count you as a rescue climber when you have earned your stripes and a competent climber

I do have the option to do both at the same time but it might just be a matter of time and money lacking, it's certainly worth considering. Thought it might be better anyway to have some more time in between when I can do some climbing for experience even if it is just recreational climbing, and even if I only have the 38 it shows I'm working towards my full certs and still covers peoples legal requirements. On the other hand I can get both out the way and concentrate on getting some work and being able to practice the whole range of skills in a work situation.