rcarolina

What's the general feeling about climbing alone recreationally. I have access to a whole range of very mature trees in our arboretum - however don't have any one around that also has CS38. This would purely be for practice with no tools going up and no work being carried out. Do you see this as a definite no no - what's your views?

My little mate who's helping me drag barsh is getting a headache from his new sparkly Husky lid. It's not on too tight but the headband comes quite low and sits of the sinewy bits above the ears - anyone else have this prob? Anything he can do to ease the brain pain?

Did my CS38/39 with Kingswood before Christmas. The training is very high standard and designed for rapid assimilation - something you service guys seem to cope with really well. I'm 42 and shared the course with a Para, Marine and RE all younger and fitter than me - but they ate the course up. The camaradarie was top notch and the training delivered by really competant commercially aware staff. I think I have left it too late to start a commerical climbing career but it was something I wanted to do - I'm hoping that with my own horticultural experience will give me the skills to work in an arboretum or something like that so I can still climb but not necessarily against the clock. I would say go for it and at the very least you'll have your ground saw, chipper and stumpginder quals as a good fall back. You can always move in different directions within the arb/hort/countryside managment industries if you decide climbing isn't for you. However, lets think of the glass as half full and best of luck to you mate in whatever you decide to do. You won't find better supportand advice than from the guys here. (Snowing here and so inside in a warmhut having a brew hence the longer than normal reply). P.S. Richard Kingswood supplies all the kit.

I passed CS38 and CS39 before Christmas. The main thing I found was to be confident and brisk when climbing/rescue etc. I think the examiners will know what you mean even if you have a bit of trouble puttting it all into precise words - as long as they know that you know what you are talking about there should be no prob. Make sure you know the four different rescues off by heart - I drew a chart for each one listing the things you had to do in order and memorised it. Be organised and brisk with the rescue and the key for 39 is to get really good SECURE working postions or at least to make sure you are SECURE before cutting. All the best mate - I'm sure you will be fine. The assessors are only human after all.

Now that I have passed CS38/39 and I have CS30/31 I have the basic tickets to get started in arb work. However I'm not really sure where I should be looking to start. At 42 I am a little older than the average entrant but have several years hort experience and two years ground saw experience and I am well used to hard work. I am about to send my cv and a covering letter to a large selection of firms in my area to see how things lie but as a newbie should I be looking to start on the ground or get climbing straight away - I think I need to be taken under an experienced partactioners wing. I am painfully aware that the training does not take into account any pruning procedures other than branch removal and pruning cuts. How do I learn crown reduction, thinnning etc? Is my current status that of a second climber or should I market myself as a trainee cliber/groundie? Any advice gratefully received and fingers crossed for a positive response from my mail shot. Cheers. Dave.

Where are you based then snakey?

What about Kingswood training just outside Tonbridge: Kingswood Training 09 - Chainsaw Maintenance, Crosscutting & Felling Small Trees CS30 & 31 | Kingswood Training 09 Did my CS38/39 there - very good facilities, training and people.

Posted this elsewhere but this is the latest: Well, didn't need Bigshot in the end - manged to get the tree climbed by lobbing the rope over a lower limb. The assessment went well and so that's CS38 and CS39 under the belt for me. I found the training quite intense and there was a lot to take in in a relatively short space of time (6 Days). Was working some muscles that I generally only use for honking - you know those ones right deep down in the pit of your stomach - but the climbing got easier and more enjoyable as the days went on. I enjoyed learning the knots too and putting it all into practice. I didn't have a problem with the cuts on CS39 as I have been using a saw for over a year now on the ground but I did find the work postioning challenging at times - all about the anchor points isn't it? But what a difference it makes when you get the postiton spot on. All in all it was a very enjoyable experience and I just hope that I can make good use of my new found skills now. Specail mention should be made to one of the trainers - Andy Green - he really helped me get over some of my intial problems and was really supportive and offred great advice. He also bought us all a doughnut can't get better than that. I'm on a real high at the moment and hope the new year will signal a change in career direction for me. Thanks for all your tips and encouragement too Arbtalkers.

Passed CS38 and CS39 on friday and still alive to tell the story.

Well, didn't need Bigshot in the end - manged to get the tree climbed by lobbing the rope over a lower limb. The assessment went well and so that's CS38 and CS39 under the belt for me. I found the training quite intense and there was a lot to take in in a relatively short space of time (6 Days). Was working some muscles that I generally only use for honking - you know those ones right deep down in the pit of your stomach - but the climbing got easier and more enjoyable as the days went on. I enjoyed learning the knots too and putting it all into practice. I didn't have a problem with the cuts on CS39 as I have been using a saw for over a year now on the ground but I did find the work postioning challenging at times - all about the anchor points isn't it? But what a difference it makes when you get the postiton spot on. All in all it was a very enjoyable experience and I just hope that I can make good use of my new found skills now. Specail mention should be made to one of the trainers - Andy Green - he really helped me get over some of my intial problems and was really supportive and offred great advice. He also bought us all a doughnut can't get better than that. I'm on a real high at the moment and hope the new year will signal a change in career direction for me. Thanks for all your tips and encouragement too Arbtalkers.

Thanks for the confirmation - I did a type A rescue today and then swapped to a type B on the way down in 25 mins. I have even managed to get the throw bag to go where I want it to - I changed my technique from between the legs to one handed (ooh err). Still work to do but my confidence has come back in spades. Big Shot is in reserve at the moment.

Am I right in thinking that there is a 20 minute time limit on performing the aerial rescue part of the CS38 assessment? Is this set in stone or is there some flexibility to allow for assessment nerves and cock ups? I realise that it is essential to get to the casualty ASAP but this time pressure in an assessment can presumably have the oppostite outcome with a nervous candidate. I am having a lot of probs getting the throw line to go where I want it to and so might have to use the big shot on the day. Do any of you assessors know if this is acceptable in an assessment situation? cheers.

Thanks for the clarification on this. I thought it was the case, just wanted to hear from those who have trod the path etc. I think it's a good idea to start as you mean to go on i.e. cs boots and trews. Have ordered some Hiflex from Jonesie. Will need to sell more bike gear on ebay to compensate! I'm training with Richard at Kingswood and so I'm in safe hands. Will keep you posted of my half arsed attempts to get airborne.

Nikwax - the best thing to come out of Wadhurst (except for me of course!).

I'm doing ny CS38&39 very soon and wondered what the requirments are re kit - can I do CS38 in normal boots or do they need to be chainsaw? Do I need class C trews for the CS39? I was thinking Stihl Hiflex - any good? As always any help mucho appreciated.

I've made some sloe gin and some hedgerow gin (elderberries, blackberries and sloes). Roll on Chrishmash.

18! Still, he'll be able to retire by the time he's 21. Probably won't be able to play the piano any more though.

He had good tree ID skills - "Elderberry". Is that related to the Chuckberry?

I think this was filmed in my old road in Bromley - Victoria Road BR2. So watch out if you're operating in that area. At first I thought looking at the usual rat get up of his 'groundies' i.e. track suit/trainers etc that the equipment was probably nicked but if he's on £1260 an hour it shouldn't take him too long to make enough for a new truck/Timberwolf etc. What a lowlife.

My work socks will probably walk up there on their own. So, if I wanted a UK 9.5 Haix Jonesie would I need to go for a 44 or would that swamp me as well do you think? I think I need to try some on don't I?

What is it with these Euro boot sizes? I am a UK 9 and have no problem with shoes and boots from UK origin. As most decent work boots are generally Euro origin (Meindl, Lowa, Haix etc) I opt for the size 43 which is supposed to be a direct comparison with a UK 9. Well my aching feet would suggest otherwise. I currently wear the Stein Bergsteiger Pro boot and a Lowa Vancouver for a general safety boot both are 43 and both are bordering on the too tight when worn with work socks all day. I recently bought another pair of boots - Uvex winter boots (again Euro) for wearing when it gets really cold - I opted this time for a size 44 which is apparently a UK 9.5. Well, Herman Munster would be self conscious wearing these bloody things. They are like boats and are no way a 9.5 - they are more like a 10 at the very least. Even the trade can't seem to get it facts straight - Stihl reckon a 43 = 9, 44 = 9.5 and 45 = 10.5. Whereas Strauss say 43 = 8.75 (which I can believe), 44 = 9.5 and 45 = 10.5. I want to get some Haix boots when the Stein's wear out but I don't want to feel like I've got a hobble on part in the Mikado or for that matter a starring role in Carry on Screaming - I just want a pair of boots that fit! So, do you know if the Haix boots come out a bit larger or smaller than equivalent UK sizes? Anyone who has a size 9 foot and is currently wearing comfy boots, I'd love to hear from. Cheers. Now where's me peppermint footrub?

That's tough mate. Not looking forward to that day I have to admit. Get another one to try to (partly) fill the hole.

Thanks - might give it a miss. Mr Ed - Lurcher, getting on a bit now but bloody fast (picture is of her second favourite activity after small furry things).

Off topic this, but would like the advice of some sensible people. I have given up riding bikes for a while and have put a load of stuff on Ebay to help pay for my CS38 training - it's some riding gear and three Arai lids. I have had at least three emails asking if I would send to Europe (Poland, Portugal, Italy etc). They seem on the surface to be genuine bidders but I am very wary of scammers? Has anyone had experience of this before - I'm just thinking it might be easier to resrict the sales to UK. Any help much appreciated. Cheers. Dave.