Can someone give me some advice and what to expect on a CS38 course.

[Lou Brown]

Hi people. I’m used to climbing MRS no SRT experience whatsoever. And always using one main line and a lanyard. 
also I’ve never used a cambium saver. 
I’m going for my 38 soon and just want to know exactly what to expect. Will I be expected to rescue a climber using 2 lines? Will I be expected to use a cambium saver for each line? How much time do they allow you to get your line into the tree. And finally high up the tree will the rescue dummy be situated? I’ve also heard of people using spikes on their CS38. If anyone could let me know that’d be awesome. Cheers 

[flyingjoiner]

When I did my 38, from memory it was you could ditch your secondary climbing system when you started descending with the dummy, depending on what rescue method you choose to employ.

 

As for cambium savers, we had the option, and probably more of a pain than they are worth, especially if you get the order of operations mixed up when installing it.

 

At lowe maintenance (where I did my 38) no time limit on getting a line into the tree, also the assessor is a local cutter, and was very decent about the whole thing.  on the rescue it was already in the tree.

 

Dummy was probably about 10-15 ft up, so not stupid hight.

 

Spikes are used on the pole rescue, but all the limb walking etc was just done with boots 

 

Think that's everything, lmk if not.

 

Main thing is to remember is that on the 38, your not expected to be swinging about the tree like a monkey, and it's more about proving your safe and compitant when it comes to moving around the canopy.

 

You will however be required to climb on 2 main systems, primary and secondary (can change over) and you can't have more than 500mm slack in any system at any time.  That's HSE guidelines

Edited 2 hours ago by flyingjoiner
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[Lou Brown]

Thanks for that mate. Could a lanyard not count as a secondary line? Or it has to be 2 full blown main lines? If so, surely it’s allowed to ascend the tree on one line, and then tie in your second whilst up there? Cheers tho mate 

[Gordon S]

Hi,

 

It's two tie ins to the tree at all times for climbing, two climbing lines and a lanyard for change overs. I would strongly recommend getting some training so you will know what to expect and have some practice at the scenarios and theory side off it too.