I have been meaning to make another video showing how I use the knaider and swaider. There are a number videos out there on their uses but it is rare to see proper use of the lineman's belt. First let me say that climbing with aiders increase the risk; no doubt about it. However, it can be very safe if done correctly.
The secret is simple. LEAN OUT at all times. I was scouting this morning. Setting up a tree, it was my first time using the WE steps and aiders in over eight months. I am happy to say it was like riding a bike. My biggest issue was that I use hiking boots when scouting and my toes get jammed into tree. My stiff rubber boots flex much less. The reason my boots get jammed so hard is because I am always leaning back against the lineman's belt; always. Your toes should be bending backwards and actually be a bit uncomfortable, unless you are using super stiff boots. For example, it should almost be impossible to do it with sneakers because it will feel like your toes are going to break. Even when I have to move the belt up or down I am leaning back, but instead of using my whole body, I am hinging by whatever is connected to the step, be it knaider or swaider, so the toe is jammed hard against the tree. If you do this, you will not kick out. I am very careful of course, making sure the toes are centered on the tree, and if there is any sideways lean to the tree, my body is countering against it.
The best way I can have everyone understand the feeling of leaning back at all times is to climb a tree that leans backward, meaning you need to climb up on the low side of a leaning tree. Below is a vid I made of me doing just that. I was trying to figure out the limits of the knaider and swaider when I made this and only recently realized that this would be an excellent way for people to learn how to properly use the system. The secret is the lineman's belt. If you ever have any slack in the belt then you are doing it wrong. The only time you should experience slack is during that nano second of moving the belt up or down while climbing. I may make another leaner vid, go up a few steps and not deal with a platform so you guys can get a better feel for what I am talking about. The move over the platform is a high risk move because you have to slacken the belt a bit to get it over everything. You have to be sure your foot is set well, or set up a tether before moving up (that would be the smart move). Plus, I think I have gotten better at it since I made this vid
These days when I climb I am using that ropeman constantly, increasing and shortening length as I move because I am always trying to have the perfect distance from the tree. Too close and I can't pivot at the knee. Too far and I would have to pull my body toward the tree with my arms. The latter is a huge no no in my book because that is when the belt goes slack and I put myself in what I deem the danger zone.
Try it. Climb the low side. It will force you to lean back, always. Your toes will jam into the tree and you should not be able to kick out, even if you try. It is all about the linemans belt. Trust it. Lean back into it. All my climbing is done by my legs now that I know what I am doing. My hands are basically just anchor points, just in case I goof. Pete
