Mr. Squirrel

There's talk of the UK hosting the Euros next year. Zero chance they'd get everyone climbing on two systems there. At which point surely they've set a precedent? Also given there's no saws being used so severing a line is impossible, I think it's probably ok... Some prick in the AA will think otherwise though...

Only spent a day with the 500i, felling spruce and larch. It's a decent saw, picks up power really well but it struggled to maintain that, even in those relatively soft woods. Doing similar work with my 572, the husky cuts better. It also just feels more solid. I'm an adult, i think both Stihl and Husky do some cracking saws. My 661 is flawless, as are my top handles. But the 572 out performs the 500i, in my experience.

It isn't work, and nor is it required in the ISA TCC rule book. So no. Although knowing the AA some clueless numpty will no doubt try and push for it.

I've used a micro traxion on mine for years and find that a really clean and easy setup. Dabbled with a prussik and pulley but went back to the traxion in the end. If you're doing big traversing then having it on a separate line is a good idea in case it gets caught on something you don't want to use. At least you can ditch it and get there another way.

Ah ok, that seems slightly less severe ? I can understand where you're coming from as an employer, and really that isn't a massive ask. Though an awkward conversation to be sure. I'd just be gutted at having to buy e2e hitch cords.

So do you mean you told the climbers they had to climb on a certified system, basically that they had to use the CE climb? Or a system built of CE components?

I have a Captain hook which I spliced 16m of 8mm Sirius on to. It's lighter and packs down smaller than that setup. It's definitely not something I use often, but where there's traversing between trees or mega spready trees it's really useful.

Donnk certainly has a lot of hot air ??

I was referring to the HSE. The AA are obviously fairly well versed, however I would say are poorly organised with little vested interest in promoting quality and professionalism among arboriculture contractors.

Based on the nonsense they're enforcing I'd disagree...

I guess there's possibly and argument that the top attachment point on the zig zag, in normal use, is only subjected to a 1/2 person load. If the right hand anchor were to fail it would be taking a full person load. Is it designed with this in mind? I'd be more immediately concerned about the ergonomics of the system though. Those two zig zags are locked in to a specific orientation so you're rarely going to get a decent angle where the rope exits them. Especially the right hand one.

There's no black and white, but yes. I don't just get back in the van and leave, I offer alternative options and approaches. But if some bawbag buys a house then decides they want all the mature trees around it felled I'm not interested. In complete agreement with the previous point though regarding government intervention. Seems to be somewhat hypocritical that they slap a big (and reasonable imo) fine on this guy but would probably sign off on flattening some woodland for a carpark.

I'd say there are degrees of experienced though... Your climber of ten years who's still climbing on a prussik loop Vs climber of ten years who's bothered to learn a bit about and invest in a modern and efficient climbing system... I know who I'd have more faith in. Plus, some people I've seen are basically just not cut out for a career where their safety is directly dependant upon their decision making under pressure. The training systems in the UK should be filtering those people out, rather than giving them the go ahead to fall out of trees and fuck themselves and the rest of us over.

I think common sense comes in to it a great deal too. The above example, with four climbers up a tree, working off a base tie is plain stupid. Let alone in a tree with that much going on. It shouldn't come as a surprise he nearly splattered.

Just taking it back a few posts but the asap/asap lock is in my opinion not a suitable solution for tree work. As stated this is a fall arrest system. It states in the asap user manual that the fall distance if activated should be considered when using it. When hanging off the side of a building with nothing but air beneath you this is quite suitable. In tree care, let's say you ascended a short way, trailing the asap behind/beneath you, and made a cut. You're then taking a fall on to the ASAP/asap lock, and the absorber is deployed up to a length of 2m I believe? By which time you could easily have fallen 3m from your work position and hit another part of the tree. Better than just falling out of a tree, sure, but by no means an acceptable solution as a 2nd system. There will be non-arb solutions, but this isn't one of them.

I'd hope so! The quality Vs stein and other versions pays for itself. Mine are over ten years old! Never had a leg break but are you could pick up a fiberglass rod of the same diameter. If not maybe worth contacting whoever makes them?

I'm a 43 in la sportiva and arbpro. For me these fit a bit too tight right out the box, but loosen up and fit really nice. My airstreams are 44 which seems perfect.

Type C trousers only exist so people don't cut their legs doing silly things. Don't do anything silly and you won't have an issue ?? Type A's for me thanks.

If they're assessing candidates accessing with two systems at least their pass rate should go down.

Rock and ice climbers also aren't actively managing ropes while climbing though, they have a belayer doing that for them. Half ropes in these situations have many advantages and outside of sport climbing I would use them 90% of the time. This isn't to say a half rope style climbing setup can't be implemented in arb. I've seen people climbing on two 8mm lines through one mechanical device with great success, but that's obviously well outside of the W@H regs.

Sure but Johnson is also a pretty poor excuse of a human. Had she stayed in the party in spite of her personal and very understandable dislike of him she would've just been lacking in moral fibre. Respect to her...

This should be the norm anyway. It's a fundamental part of being able to carry out an efficient rescue. I'm not even bothered by the financial or time implications. I'll be able to get round trees regardless and don't see it hampering my productivity too much. It's the safety thing that I take major issue with, as I believe this will obstruct our ability to climb fluidly and safely. At which point we're just a bunch of clowns farting about with two ropes for no real reason and endangering ourselves further. As said most of those accidents were due to easily avoidable and unforgivable human error. The brain dead fuckwits will continue to drop out of trees until people stop passing them on their tickets. Also, Dr Andrew Turner, Acting Head of Vulnerable Workers, Agriculture, Waste and Recycling Team, Operational Strategy Team, Engagement and Policy Division. What on earth is this guy doing looking at arb??!!!

It's 10mm Ocean polyester. Splices fine as far as I'm aware, but probably wouldn't bother doing so with what looks like a used bit of second hand hitch cord... It's better than some for not melting, but it definitely does melt...

He said it's been three weeks? And he's up to those capers? What a nonce. I do really like his tactics though...

Base tie is much easier to set up. Base tie is also much easier to do yourself a wrongun with. Horses for courses.