Just Starting Out - How am I most likely to hurt myself?

[windsurferk]

After watching dozens of youtube videos and reading The Tree Climber's Companion, I took the plunge and ordered the basic gear for a MRS/DdRT setup like the one shown in this video -- clove hitch on my harness carabiner and a blake's hitch for ascending/descending. I'm using a friction saver in the tree and have made several short climbs to get the hang of things. So far, so good. I'm excited to climb higher.

Whenever I'm starting out a new, potentially dangerous, hobby, I like to ask those with more experience how a beginner is most likely to hurt himself to avoid having to learn the hard way! What are the most common causes of accidents among recreational climbers using MRS/DdRT?

My gear/setup:
ROPE, ARBORMASTER HAWKEYE 150'
SADDLE, NEW TRIBE TWIST
CARABINER, PIRATE AUTO-LOCK
FRICTION SAVER, CAMP HERBOL 120cm

Thanks in advance for your tips.

 

[Del_]

Falling.

 

[windsurferk]

Falling.

What are the most common causes of falls with a DdRT setup?

 

[Del_]

What are the most common causes of falls with a DdRT setup?

A lack of paying attention to what you are doing.

 

[lowandslow]

After watching dozens of youtube videos and reading The Tree Climber's Companion, I took the plunge and ordered the basic gear for a MRS/DdRT setup like the one shown in this video -- clove hitch on my harness carabiner and a blake's hitch for ascending/descending. I'm using a friction saver in the tree and have made several short climbs to get the hang of things. So far, so good. I'm excited to climb higher.

Whenever I'm starting out a new, potentially dangerous, hobby, I like to ask those with more experience how a beginner is most likely to hurt himself to avoid having to learn the hard way! What are the most common causes of accidents among recreational climbers using MRS/DdRT?

My gear/setup:
ROPE, ARBORMASTER HAWKEYE 150'
SADDLE, NEW TRIBE TWIST
CARABINER, PIRATE AUTO-LOCK
FRICTION SAVER, CAMP HERBOL 120cm

Thanks in advance for your tips.

Always wear a helmet..
I swung around and hit my noggin

 

[Haironyourchest]

Taking chainsaws out of the equation obviously reduces your chances of getting hurt a lot. Your main risk of catastrophic failure is unclipping yourself by accident. I did a training course a few years ago, and one of the guys on the course did thus - he was advancing his main line and forgot to lanyard in before unclipping. He was totally without life support thirty feet up a sycamore. The instructor thankfully spotted this. He was discharged from the remainder of the course, pending further discussion with his employer. Kid was inches from death and didn't know it.

Always be tied in, lanyard or main line.

 

[TheDarkLordChinChin]

Poor guy.

 

[capetrees]

A lack of paying attention to what you are doing.

ask del how he knows that.

 

[lone wolf]

Cutting way too large of a piece and a groundman that dont know how to run a rope.
One handing the saw and having it kickback.
Climbing dead,weak or broken trees and they fail.

 

[quantico]

Gravity.. burns.. reacting to insects. Talking when you should be thinking. Working tired. And several I have not mentioned like a ground guy moving a truck.. or putting your line in a chipper.

 

[lone wolf]

Gravity.. burns.. reacting to insects. Talking when you should be thinking. Working tired. And several I have not mentioned like a ground guy moving a truck.. or putting your line in a chipper.

The line in the Chipper I witnessed first hand. Stupid new guy that thinks he knows what he was doing!

 

[quantico]

Just like a ski slope.. its always the last run of the day that people push to get in

The line in the Chipper I witnessed first hand. Stupid new guy that thinks he knows what he was doing!

Scary getting a line in the chipper.

 

[lone wolf]

Just like a ski slope.. its always the last run of the day that people push to get in

Scary getting a line in the chipper.

As long as you have your adjustable safety lanyard on cut the climbing rope with the saw. I seen trees start to get winched over .

 

[TheJollyLogger]

And remove the clove hitch from your repertoire... anchor, buntline, figure 8 follow through, anything but a clove hitch, and always with a stopper knot

 

[KarlD]

Tripping over on your way to the tree

 

[Cynfawr]

Take safe tie ins. If you're not confident take something beefier. Don't take the ins above defects (check the tree before and during ascent). Tie into vertical stems.

Check, double check and triple check your knots.

Take up your slack as you go. It is more work but keeps you safe from a fall.

Good luck, have fun and stay safe

 

[dozi]

always have a backup safety plan!

keep your ropes tidy,

don't over reach, just reposition

 

[Burning man]

Make sure your tie ins are solid otherwise you'll go down.

 

[Jed1124]

After watching dozens of youtube videos and reading The Tree Climber's Companion, I took the plunge and ordered the basic gear for a MRS/DdRT setup like the one shown in this video -- clove hitch on my harness carabiner and a blake's hitch for ascending/descending. I'm using a friction saver in the tree and have made several short climbs to get the hang of things. So far, so good. I'm excited to climb higher.

Whenever I'm starting out a new, potentially dangerous, hobby, I like to ask those with more experience how a beginner is most likely to hurt himself to avoid having to learn the hard way! What are the most common causes of accidents among recreational climbers using MRS/DdRT?

My gear/setup:
ROPE, ARBORMASTER HAWKEYE 150'
SADDLE, NEW TRIBE TWIST
CARABINER, PIRATE AUTO-LOCK
FRICTION SAVER, CAMP HERBOL 120cm

Thanks in advance for your tips.

And remove the clove hitch from your repertoire... anchor, buntline, figure 8 follow through, anything but a clove hitch, and always with a stopper knot

Like the JollyLogger said, get rid of that clove hitch, like yesterday.

 

[Huskybill]

Clear your mind of your date with the hot babe tonight and stay focused on what your doing. Learn and watch all the how to climb videos over and over, cut limbs from the bottom first halfway up then move the bar offset 2” from your bottom cut go slow it will fall away from you.