Mr. Squirrel

This. Awful idea. I can’t grasp people who find climbing with a chair rattling round their ankles to be ergonomic.

A pal of mine used one of those. A branch he was cutting snapped earlier than he expected, fell, caught the strop and dragged the silky through his hand, severing tendons and nerves as well I believe. They’re really such a s**t idea.

Vat registered one man band here, my book keeper was talking me out of it for ages, until I went over and had to. As others have said the clients who want you in won’t mind too much. Vat returns are a piece of piss in accounting software, I think it’s three mouse clicks to create and submit my return. The initial vat payment is a beaut as well. I think I got 17k, it’s only once obviously, but getting handed a wad of cash is a lovely wee treat. Basically everything, from saws to fuel, costs less now. It’s great.

If by this you mean continuing this ridiculous back and forth with you, then no.

Apologies, I just got a bit carried away in the pro AR camp. It’s this weather gov, honest…

I mean I hate to be pedantic but that was what I suggested in my first post here… I was in an employed role when we first did that, about 13 years ago. We had about 4/5 local companies + contractors who would get involved for it. It was a great opportunity to share techniques, especially for the guys working in companies where there wasn’t such a high standard of climbing. We kept a record of everyone who was there and what they’d done, then we’d have a fire, food and a few beers and generally have a nice day of it. Ticked all the boxes for the hse, very low cost, and a good fun day.

I have and honestly they aren’t particularly cohesive. I just poked my head in here as it seemed a number of people were extremely critical of the value of AR. I gave a few examples of AR’s that actually happened and you yammered on about self rescue. The point you seem to be missing is that if a casualty can’t self rescue then someone will have to go up and get them. Training for that situation is clearly going to improve the odds. I don’t see how you can debate that? Particularly as an nptc assessor. And all this flapping your meat about wanting to see rescue practice data… what utter nonsense.

What is it, specifically, that you don’t agree with?

You were calling bullshit on me saying i know people who’ve carried out aerial rescues. I’m simply asking why you find that so unbelievable. I completely agree that wherever possible self rescue should be the first choice. But some times it isn’t an option, hence the discussion on aerial rescues.

What part of someone carrying out an aerial rescue is so unbelievable to you?

Why would timings for an aerial rescue practice carry more weight than instances where people were actually saved by a swift rescue? One wasn’t wearing cutting trousers, one was. We all know that a big saw going full pelt will get through cutting trousers though.

If you can get someone on the deck in 6 minutes though then you could absolutely administer life saving first aid in the tree.

Taking a punt here, but I suspect that given they were unable to descend they probably weren’t in much of a state to apply a dressing. Probably something to do with sinking a saw into their thigh 🤔 Very experienced colleagues who are so bad at rescues you guys have written off the idea of one 🙄 In all seriousness this isn’t a matter that’s up for debate. Practicing rescues makes you more effective should the need ever arise. It isn’t even just all about arterial bleeds either, I was at an event last year where someone passed out up a tree. I suppose you’d have been able to implement a self rescue despite your lack of consciousness? As for data, I’ve given you multiple examples of occasions where an aerial rescue was vital to someone’s survival. If you need more than that then…? 😬🤷🏻

How do people get into that? I really wanted to be a sat diver when I was in school, I knew it was a job but I didn’t know what it was called and nobody could give me any info on it. I’d taught myself to weld and was offered an apprenticeship with rolls Royce out in Dubai or something, but I only ever really wanted to do it under water. Ended up in tree work which I do love, but paying 70k a year in tax sounds quite nice to me. How messed up is that?

I think she lasted three months... She saw them going through peoples bank statements, phone records, emails etc. things like not having used your card at the supermarket in a long time, or going on holiday without taking out euros we’re both ‘evidence’, and bolted. She did give me a couple of heads up on firms to steer clear of though, which was nice for my own pace of mind. But no, not quite a heartless c**t.

I’ve dipped in and out of this thread since is started and have been very surprised by the input. Many posters seeing little value in AR training, while others seem to be pretty against the very idea of one. I know of at least 4 people who have performed aerial rescues, two which involved arterial bleeds which without the rescue climber would have been fatalities. Both of those rescue climbers did lots of rescue training. While we never know how people will perform under pressure, training for these scenarios WILL stack things in at our favour for a positive outcome. It isn’t a time for problem solving, it’s a time to fall back on systems and operations that allow for an efficient casualty retrieval. I’ve discussed this at length with ex military rescue professionals who were of the same opinion. The idea that an untrained groundy would step up to the plate and get you down is very aspirational, not to mention would be putting them in a situation they simply can’t manage safely. Honestly the cost argument is ridiculous too imo. It could just be at the end of a pruning job rather than knocking off at 3, ‘oi you, come and do a rescue’ kinda thing. If you’re running a business with a few climbers just have a chat with them, turn it into a social. Figure out a weekend when they can all get together and practice a couple of scenarios. Have a bbq and a few beers afterwards, sorted. It’s in everyone’s best interest, anyone who’s that resistant to the idea should probably seek another career where they can’t be called on to save a colleagues life.

Cash might be king, but undeclared cash can’t pay your mortgage, bills, car etc. My partner briefly worked in hmrc investigations and if they get a whiff of you they are relentless.

Where’s the data on Scotland? I know it was found in nurseries here a few years ago, on Dutch imports (of course) but that was nipped in the bud. Or so they believe at least. Never seen it up here. Regardless, it certainly has the potential to be all over England within ten years I’d say. I can imagine it slowing down a great deal towards the North of England/Scotland though. Long term I’d hope to see natural predators establish themselves and the population to reach a balance. It will be interesting to see how that plays out north vs south.

Just as a point of consideration, though senas etc are great, in order to install them you have to modify an item of ppe. From my experience, I didn’t think ear defenders were as effective after that. It’s something worth bearing in mind if your issuing them to employees.

The risk catastrophic failure of a rope is pretty minimal. Even rupture of the sheath generally takes sustained abuse and a certain degree of negligence. Systems using toothed cams have been used for decades in various sports, all of which are harder on ropes than arb, and are perfectly safe for access techniques. Alternatives may be more optimal, but there’s nothing inherently wrong with what the OP is discussing.

He does seem like an absolute spanner.

I’ve held one, but never used it. Didn’t like the look of it at all.

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I imagine if it’s gone into the joint it may have punctured the sack of fluid within the joint, which can take a while to recover from. Different injury but a wee dog bit my hand last year, right on the middle joint of my ring finger. I could see a tendon, which was thankfully undamaged, but a fair amount of clear fluid came out. The hole healed pretty quickly once I was on antibiotics, but the joint stiffness/discomfort/pain lasted for a few months. All fine now. Might just need time.

That’s a bit of a sweeping statement. Reduction might prevent failures of any present structural defects but it’s an intervention which isn’t inherently positive for the tree. It won’t in itself extend the lifespan. If there are squirrels in the cavity then I’d hazard a guess that it isn’t full of water. Pics would be very helpful but sand, stones or any other form of filling the cavity are definitely not a good approach.