tree climbing with customers

[Tommy_B]

I know. But the operating principles of how they work are the same! You'd have a nightmare trying to use a Grillon as a belay device!

[Logrod]

If I take one or two adults or kids to a climbing wall they will get me to sign a piece of paper saying i know how to put on a harness, belay etc. There may even be a random check that I can do a specific knot or identify the things that shouldn't be happening in a couple of pictures . Once that's over they have demonstrated sufficient duty of care to the authorities and their insurance company and I can take the people climbing and even get them to belay me.

 

If I take more than two most centres expect me to have an SPA (single pitch award) though this in reality only assesses that I have experience at climbing and leading outdoors, not that I am capable of managing 6 squabbling children and how many eyes I have in the back of my head. In the end your risks are low but it's your insurance company that needs to be convinced so ask them.

In terms of the grillon not being certified as a belay device as it hasn't had the same load testing this is true but tbh irrelevant as in the situation you describe (top roping a child and then lowering them) you would be hard pushed to load test a large paper clip let alone a belay device. (but use a proper one anyway!)

[TTownsend]

There is a tree climbing company, always do Treefest at Westonbirt, and work on a lot of national trust properties. Most of the guys are ex forces or arborists-

They do this day in, day out. Maybe ask their advice.

I think they are 'the great big tree climbing company'

 

My boss owns the great big tree climbing company aswell as a doing tree surgery aswell. I'm more from the tre surgery side of things but do help on odd days with the tree climbing when needed and as far as I know there's no ticket need. The Great Big Tree Climbing puts it staff through it's own in house training that's needs to be signed off but I'm not away of any other qualifications that are needed.

[treeseer]

I belayed a 71-year old client up to 35 feet, and she tied a tautline and lowered herself.

 

She loved it! (this was in the US).

[forestgough]

tedious, but you probably need crb check for all staff involved aswell