Tree access & rescue plus harness & chainsaw course

[Paul Tomo]

I’m going on a course in November for the tree access & rescue then the working with chainsaw from harness, my question to you is what should I be working on practicing wise until I start the course. I’ve been working from heights and using chainsaws in trees for a few years off & on and now I want to get my qualifications but I guess I need to practice what is required for the course in order to get the qualifications.

 

any feedback would be great. 

[Treeation]

Try and go recreational climbing with a decent arborist so you can practise getting around the tree "the proper way" and practice as much as possible. Try and get hold of an uptodate course manual and assessment criteria so you can prepare for what you will be tested on. Make sure your kit has been LOLER tested before you start course. Theres a series of generic health & safety questions for the NPTC assessments such as risk assessments/H&S legislation etc....learn those. TBH - you should be fine, its all fairly straight forward. Your biggest challenge might be unlearning bad habits as sounds like you already have some experience doing aeriel work. Good luck and enjoy!

[Paul Tomo]

Thanks for the feedback and information, I’ve down loaded the info you’ve mentioned and I’ve been studying it and practicing some of what’s needed for the course. I don’t know any arborists locally so I can’t ask anyone for help. All my kit for the course is brand new I’ve also renewed all my climbing gear and PPE gear.

although I’m using the hitch climber for my tree work I still practice using the Blake’s and the friction hitch in order to know what to do when on the course.

If their is anything else you can help me out on I would be most grateful.

 

Many thanks Paul Tomo.