fastest way down in an emergency

[alanarbor]

This discussion shows one of the huge advantages of the splitail system, with your friction hitch already tied, you can use your climbling line as a secondary lanyard, or just have it there, then if you get in trouble, if you're not already tied in, lust bring the end around and clip in. no need to tie your friction knot, you're ready to go.

As clearance states above having a pressure bandage with you is a biggie!

 

[topnotchtree]

I climb old school and am not familiar with all the newer climbing gear so I am not sure how this tip relates to you guys that use the newer stuff, but, here goes. Asplundh company policy states you must have a snap tied to your climbing line with a bolen, and, a figure 8 knot tied in the tail. Climber must first be tied in before performing any work in the tree. If a rescuer needs to get an injured climber out in a hurry, he just cuts the climbers tail between the figure 8 knot and his taut line hitch, while another person on the ground holds the climbers climbing line and lowers him like a hunk of wood. If anybody has never attempted a tree rescue before, it is a very good idea to practice at least once. Have a climber go up a tree and pretend to be uncouncious. See how long it takes to get him down safely. It is a lot tougher than it seems.

 

[dayman]

It's past time to stop thinking that cutting the bridge of the climbing system is acceptable. That has been practiced in the past but is not recommended by competant people.

How can anyone be climbing without being tied into a proper system? Are you suicidal? Who taught you that this is OK?

Carrying a pressure bandage is a good idea. Then get to the ground ASAP. Self rescue.

 

[Old Monkey]

I recently took an aerial rescue course. One of the instructors suggested a method that I'm not crazy about but it might suit other climbers just fine. What he does is to get his high tie with a big shot or throwball, then he pulls a line through the crotch with a climbers block and climbline attached. When the block is just below the crotch they take the other end of the line and take wraps around an adjacent tree and then tie it off. If the climber gets hurt or worse, hurt and knocked unconscious, the ground guys untie the end of the line holding the climbers block and use the wraps to safely lower the climber to the ground. This might be a good idea but it seems to specialized to set up for every climb. I also don't like a rope thats holding me up to be where ground guys could mess with it. Personally, I agree with what Jason said and would only add that it always good to check when redirecting your line, whether or not you have enough line to make it to the ground. I had to rappel halfway down a tree and retie(no split tail that time) with bees stinging me the whole time.

 

[hobby climber]

To add to to the above... Always be aware of your hight in the tree and make sure your rope is long enough to reach the ground if you have to bail out! :blob4: Free fall suck without a parachute!

 

[VTMechEng]

Backround: I always climb with a line tied in, use a schwaebisch friction knot, and no spikes.
Up about 70' when a loud buzzing sound came all around me, ended up a masive hornits nest was hiden by the tree and they were all around me. I had just put my lanyard around the tree and was about to put in a new tie in point, thank God I hadn't untied yet. Because I was tied in coming down took seconds and I only got hit three times, which isn't bad after seeing how many there were in the tree after getting down. Point is, without being tied in things would have been much much worse. Also, thank God for the type of knot I use, won't bind and the Ultra Tech 8mm won't melt. Oh and a good practice for rope length is to always have a figure 8 knot at the end (have your groundy put it in) so it stops you before the free fall.

 

[JonnyHart]

I love the idea of a pressure dressing in the helmet. Also make sure the aid kits in the trucks are restocked when items are used. Like every body said, if you are tied in with a climbing line, and it is long enough to get you down, you can always be on the ground in seconds. As for bees and hornets, remember that even if you are not allergic, if you get stung 20 or 30 times, you will go into shock, and possibly die if untreated. I always thought epinepherine should be sold over the counter. Benadryll helps though. Great thread.