Training Ground man

[RolloriClimber]

Does anybody have anything for groundies to help them understand the process of lowering limbs. Or tips

I get stuck out on the job with no one with exp. and dead trees over houses and such.

Not fun any more had some chunks nail me because they didn't let them down.

 

[bowline]

Thats a tough one.Groundies need training ,i had this problem been up the top of atree shouting away,<let the limb drop your controlling it not stopping it ,for F.... sake.Now the only way i cured this was to set up dummy drops and show them ,the common mistake was too many turns around the port-a-rap .and a general chat about shock loading the ropes and how much the gear will cost to replace.then the all important what hand siginals mean .They are now doing a groundies training course over hear ,which has got to be a good thing.hope this helps .

 

[RedlineIt]

Well, how did you learn such things?

Can you turn the template that instructed you into a tool to get the best out of what you've got?

Your Boss was probably hoping you could.

And he likely has a back-up plan if you can't.

If you want to lead a crew, better just to get on with the job of training them to do what you want, when you want it, not ****** about it.

RedlineIt

 

[Grace Tree]

Start out with small stuff if possible before you move on to larger pieces. Use the lowering device that you may need only for the larger pieces to train them on the smaller pieces. Explain exactly what is going to happen and what you expect them to do when the piece is released. If they look unsure have them repeat it back to you. Once they find out that friction is their friend and they can have some control over events then they can gain enough confidence to be of some benefit. Answer every question calmly and completely no matter how stupid it sounds or how many time you have to answer it. All our ground guys are volunteers and the process seems to work with a few exceptions. Remember that some people will never understand the physical process of dismantling a tree. Watch out for them. They can get you hurt in a hurry. If you're the climber then you're in charge.
Phil

 

[l2edneck]

Takes time

Try to explain what you want when yer not in the tree.I pound it in thier heads day after day after day.I make it routine.I also try to get thier input just to see what sort of mind set they have.Its a PITA but you just have to try to teach them the best you can.Also try to come up with terms they understand.I.E. let it run,hold it tight,im gonna peel it down,and of course my fav of all time HEADACHE.

BTW Roll are u in GA or FL?

 

[RolloriClimber]

I'm in GA

my crew is me and 1 unexperienced groundie who is a fast learner with alot of things.

I have trained many from the ground all the way to the top, but when I did and when I was taught the climber forman taught me in the truck from job to job and the other groundies where exper. of over 2 years so they taught and when i was teaching groundies I had exper. climber in the tree and would be able to single them out and spend extra time if needed teaching.

I like teaching very much but when your trying to get a hazardous tree down over a house and at least make the company I'm working for break even but the only give me one groundie no exper, and it's 95 degrees out Its hard just keeping my cool. I don't want to lose my cool with a groundie wanting to learn and is underman with help on the ground himself.

 

[John464]

first get them a pair of leather gloves. dont take big pieces. start with lowering that if they freeze on the rope its not coming back at the house, wires, or you. They need to see how a limb/logs react before you let them try to rope dangerous pieces. Ive found that some people are able to rope and some just dont have that sense of judgement, so dont just insist on training just one guy. He may not have that hand to eye coordination or be able to closely estimate weight per wraps, etc. Train all your guys in your crew to rope and from there try to decipher the one you are most comfortable with and keep him doing it every day. He will gradually become more skilled and your confidence will in him to allow you start swinging some big pieces. There has to be a mutual trust between the roper and the man in the tree and this does not happen overnight nor through any textbook teaching. Learning to be a good rope man takes lots of hands on experience and the leather smoked on your gloves a few times.