Logjam

Plenty of info on web, this provides good explanation of anatomy, causes of pain & potential solutions http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00068 In my experience rest & avoidance of the repetitive movements that contribute to pain are key. I'm right handed & also had similar problems in the past. Good tip that proved effective for me was to sleep with elbow joint straight (wrap a towel or similar round your elbow & secure with safety pin or velcro strap) this relieves pressure on tendons & rests the joint while you sleep. Don't expect instant results but if you're lucky, pain should gradually reduce over 1 - 2 weeks. Try & identify causal activities & adapt to minimise elbow bend & loading on joint. If you're a climber conventional body thrust with prussik is particularly bad, as is one handed chainsaw use. Using foot ascender as much as possible when climbing & hitch climber vt or similar can help. I'm sure others will be along with their experiences as it's a common problem in our industry.

Link to Petzl statement. http://www.petzl.com/files/all/all/communication-zigzag/ZIGZAG-information-080414-EN.pdf Obviously your choice but seems a bit premature to advise against using it.

Skideroon arrived this morning, many thanks, should get a chance to use it over the weekend. Will post feedback when I've had a play.

Seen quite a lot of the newer harnesses that have plastic labels with missing ID numbers. If the label gets pulled out of the little storage pouch while you're climbing they can break off & disappear. Poor design. Spoke to Petzl & they said it would be acceptable to attach home made label, providing it matches with paperwork. So better find that original serial number from the invoice. Sent from my SIM implant.

Have been travelling to Europe for years with my kit, never had a problem on ferries or tunnel. Don't drain tanks but put saws in separate box to contain any leaks. Been through plenty of security checks, not an issue, more petrol & oil in vehicles. Sent from my SIM implant.

jarnii - the Steins are bit lighter than my old Stretch Airs & reinforced in all the right places for climbing, good fit for me & comfortable. Pfanner have new designs that have similar specs, so may not be that much in it if comparing current offerings. T/chestnut seems to like his Ventilators.

+1 for Stein Krieger. Previous pair were Stretch Airs with longer leg but prefer the Steins.

The basic techniques manual (Part 1) is on the Husqvarna support website with links to their Youtube videos. The advanced manual (Part 2) is supposed to be on the website later this year. Otherwise C&G/NPTC assessors & assessment centres can order the books from NPTC. Ask your assessor or training provider they should be able to supply them.

Have a look at the list of centres on the NPTC website & try a few a few within travel distance. They will be matching candidates to assessors all the time & should be able to get you sorted. Would advise spending a day or two with an instructor though to make sure you are up to speed with all the techniques you will be required to demonstrate. Sent from my SIM implant.

Assisted fell may be required if using a rope or winch, assessment requires candidate to demonstrate: •1 rope – tree up to 380mm •1 winch/machine– tree over 380mm 302 (CS32) Felling & processing trees over 380mm Depends, in the context of felling qualifications, whether a stem with no branches is still a tree? To turn it around, if you have been assessed felling a stem with no branches would this qualify you to fell a tree with a full crown? CS44 Fell standing stems - Yes:thumbup:, introduced in recognition that CS32 was not appropriate or necessary to fell a stem. CS44 no longer available & has no current equivalent, possibly because so few people took the assessment. How many people do you know who have CS44 or how often do you it see stated as a requirement in a job advert?

Good luck with Body Language of Trees, trading hands for silly money now it's out of print. Just try Amazon search. Sent from my SIM implant.

Definitely the way to go if you want to get into climbing work. If you want to keep your feet on the ground then maybe go for the felling over 380mm qualification. Windblown trees is separate qualification, not included with felling. Have a look at NPTC website for details of current qualifications. Sent from my SIM implant.

IMO CS32 is not required to fell a stem over 380mm if crown has already been removed. No crown, so no need to assess crown weight, balance, wind etc, not the same as felling complete tree. Sent from my SIM implant.

Not just my interpretation, came from discussions with the HSE, long time ago but don't see any reason why it would be different now. Felling over 380mm qualification requires whole tree to felled with intact crown using maximum 380mm guide bar & also includes take down of hung up tree with a winch. If all or part of the crown has already been removed the tree would not be suitable for the assessment. The dismantling qualification might be more relevant for an arb as it is likely that some limbs would have needed to be lowered. Sent from my SIM implant.

If you section down & just fell the stem there is no need for larger than 380mm qualification. Only required if you will be felling whole tree in one without removing crown. Sent from my SIM implant.

Might be able to help - sent PM

Unit 10 - maintaining the chain saw Unit 11 - Felling, de-limbing & cross-cutting trees less than guide bar length (450mm/18") Would have been an NPTC assessor but these units are no longer accepted as pre-requisites for the current qualifications. Unit 11 didn't include the take down of hung up trees (separate unit 14) which is now a mandatory part of tree felling qualification. Nearest current equivalents: Chainsaw maintenance & cross-cutting Felling & processing trees up to 380mm - NB see comment about hung up trees above

Kiwi company, ropes meet ANSI (American) standards but not CE. Should have CE certification for use in UK & Europe. Sent from my SIM implant.

Definitely need to give the harness a try before purchasing. The one in the kit is a general sit harness rather than a specific tree work harness. The single central attachment can be restricting & too high for good balance when limb walking. 25m rope is not really enough, minimum top anchor for climbing assessment is 12m & will often be more (during training & assessment), 37m would be more practical for not a lot more money. Talk to as many people & try as many harnesses as you can before spending your hard earned. Recommend putting together your own kit based on personal preferences & comfort, might cost a bit more but you will benefit long term.

The issues with using a Cinch in tree work are explained in the Treetools blog (there are other posts on the topic if you want to read more). It's not about LOLER or even EN numbers (both Cinch & ART Positioner comply with EN567 - mountaineering rope clamps) but the manufacturer instructions for safe use & the recommended rope diameter & type. I agree the Cinch is great on a lanyard but it's worth understanding the arguments for & against. As mentioned in the Treetools blog there is opinion that it should not be used for tree work when there is industry specific equipment, compatible with the majority of arb ropes & designed for the task.