Arborist falls on linemans belt

[ryderofred]

Thought you guys might find this interesting. I did not watch the whole video of the breakdown. The fall is in the first 10 seconds.

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[John RB]

I saw that video the day it was posted on one of the arborist groups. That was 100% the fault of the arborist. It's a very irresponsible cut on his part.
Here are the mistakes he made:
1. A flipline or lineman's belt is not a fall prevention or fall arrest device. It is a positioning device and it is dependent upon his footing.
2. Arborists are supposed to be tied into the tree in two independent methods when executing a cut. He wasn't. He needed a cinching connection to the trunk, independent of his other system.
3. He took too much top. It was simply lazy of him not to go higher and take less. When we cut a tree like that in the middle of the trunk, it creates a whipping force on the trunk and can whip us right out of our Spurs. All the more reason to be tied in.
4. With that much tree coming down, he also should have wrapped straps around the trunk to ensure it did not split during the cut. Because if that occurs, it will pull him into the tree and he could be crushed.

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[John RB]

I apologize but I didnt and probably should have taken the time to watch the analysis by the host, but I'm just going by memory from when I saw it a few weeks ago.

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[ryderofred]

To be honest, I did not watch the analysis either, but found the fall interesting. I’m always appreciative of your viewpoint and input so thank you for the summary. I think it’s a good reminder that our lineman’s belt is not a fall arrest system and that large falls are still possible. Obviously, our application is different as he was thrown pretty violently off his footing. His fall also would’ve been much worse without his lineman’s belt, but I’m sure he would choose to avoid taking that ride again if he could!


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[Coachschaller]

I am happy he was OK. Looked bad, but he was able to land on his feet. I am sure he had to change his pants afterward...

 

[Jammintree]

Thanks for posting this. This is such a great reminder to saddle hunters about the limitations of a linesman belt. I think it's a common misconception in our saddle hunting community that the lineman belt is a standalone fall arrest system. Its amazing that this guy lands on his feet; so many things could have easily gone so much more worse for him. I'd be curious to know just how ok he really was though. Seconds after the camera stops rolling this guy may have realized that his torso was shredded, he may have broken ribs or leg bones; for all we know, he dropped to the ground right after the camera stops rolling.

 

[BTaylor]

Are we sure those were arborist? Looked and sounded more like Jim Earl an'em. Bet they wuz a kobeer sommers close by. Maybe an empty or four too.

 

[Bigterp]

“Told you!”

 

[HaunSolo]

I saw this video when it first came out. When I watched it, the title was "my cousin can do it for $200 cheaper" - or something along those lines.

As others have pointed out, it appears there were numerous failures on the climbers part. Its interesting to note that his descent was still somewhat controlled - as in, I still think he fared better than if he had no lineman's whatsoever.

 

[kyler1945]

1. A flipline or lineman's belt is not a fall prevention or fall arrest device. It is a positioning device and it is dependent upon his footing.

Thanks for posting this. This is such a great reminder to saddle hunters about the limitations of a linesman belt. I think it's a common misconception in our saddle hunting community that the lineman belt is a standalone fall arrest system.

I routinely try to remind almost everyone here who asks(by not asking) the purpose of a lineman’s belt. It should be required reading for anyone climbing trees with anything besides a climbing stand or ropes.

 

[Kurt]

With all the climber did wrong I still blame the ground crew for that ride. There was way to much tension on that top.