Climbing Continued: False Crotches + More

A weekly blog present by a Kephas landscaping & Property maintenance services, a Calgary based year round landscaping, tree services, snow removal company:

Climbers may also choose to use a false crotch when tying in. This can reduce the wear on the rope and damage to the tree and can, in some cases, facilitate climbing. 

The climber can tie in by first tying the climbing line to a carabiner or snap that is attached to the D-rings of the climbing saddle. This is called the attachment knot and the climber should leave a long tail. The tail is then used to tie a friction hitch to the other leg of the climbing line. A figure-8 knot should be tied in the tail from the climbing hitch as a stopper knot to prevent the end from going through the climbing hitch. The closed system refers to the fact that both ends of the rope are used and must be untied completely to be tied in again. 

An alternate means of tying in involves tying the end of the climbing line (or girth hitching a spliced eye) to an appropriate carabiner attached to one front D-ring, and attaching a split tail to another carabiner, then forming the friction hitch to the other side of the climbing line.

It is a good idea to use a climbing line that is twice as tall as the tree's highest point. If there is any question of this, the climber should tie a stopper knot in the opposite end of the climbing line when working in tall trees to prevent the end from passing through the climbing hitch if the climber reaches the end of the line. The Blake's hitch has several advantages, including safer repositioning and tending to rope slack, while working in the tree. 

Sometimes it is helpful for a climber to double crotch. Double crotching is simply tying in at a second crotch using the far end of the climbing line, or a second line (in large trees). The climber can be secured against a fall while crotching the climbing line at a higher point. The lower tie-in would be untied as the worker climbs past.

The double-crotching technique may also be used if the climber is ascending a second leader in a tree with a wide spread. The climbing line can be used to help climb the upright limb without sacrificing the original tie-in point. Another use of the double-crotching technique is to allow the climber to be suspended between limbs. This can be useful for installing cables, working on hazardous lower limbs, working on storm-damaged trees, or transferring from one tree to another. 

There are, however, limitations with the double-crotching technique. When using the opposite end of the climbing line for the second tie-in, a loop of line is created. If this loop does not reach the ground, ground workers will be unable to use the line to send anything up to the climber. Also, unless the climbing line is long enough, the climber may not be able to descend to the ground without untying one of the tie-in points. This could present an extra difficulty in an emergency situation.       

The climbing line is more than a safety device to secure the climber against falling. A good climber uses the rope to ascend the tree, access branch tips, maintain balance, and move freely in the canopy.

In addition, the rope enables the climber to use both hands without any loss of stability. When the climber is able to distribute his weight between the climbing line and the limb, both hands can be used for working. 

To be stable, a climber should maintain three points of contact with the tree. Each of the climber's hands and feet can be considered a point of contact. The climbing line, when taut, can be considered one point of contact. 

The work-positioning lanyard can be considered a point of contact as well and must be secure just like the primary climbing line.  Whenever the climber's weight is not on the climbing line, three-point contact should be maintained with the tree to provide stability when operating tools. 

A climber can walk out on branches and limbs to gain access to areas of the tree requiring work such as pruning. Generally, the preferred method is to walk backward or sideways on the limb, keeping tension on the line.

Whenever the climber is out toward the tip of a horizontal limb, it is important to keep his or her weight on the rope. If the climber allows her weight to be on the limb, she should distribute her weight between the climbing line and the limb to prevent breaking the limb. The angle of tie-in is important. As a rule, the higher above the work station the tie-in point is, the greater the distance the climber can move out from the trunk. The rope angle should be as close to vertical as possible.  The flatter the angle of the rope, the longer the swing distance and the less stable the position.

Another technique in which the climber relies on the rope is swinging. When suspended on his or her climbing line, the climber can sometimes swing like a pendulum to reach the other parts of the tree.  Control is crucial when swinging, to avoid crashing back into the trunk of the tree.

While in a tree, the climber may require various tools and equipment, including a chain saw, pole pruner, pole saw, cabling hardware, and/or other tools. Most climbers climb with their handsaw and scabbard (sheath for the handsaw).

The ground workers send up other tools. Workers may tie equipment onto the climber's line using a clove hitch or a similar hitch. If pole pruners or pole saws are used in the tree, they should be hung vertically in the tree when not in use. They should be hung in such a way that the sharp edge is away from the worker and so that they will not accidentally dislodge. If a tool lanyard is used to hang the pole, it should be long enough to keep the cutting edge of the saw below the climber's feet.

Chain saws can be equipped with a chain saw lanyard for use in a tree. Chain saws weighing more than 15 lb (7 kg) must be supported by a separate line when used in a tree. The climber must be stable and secure when using chain saws and other equipment in the tree. 

Chain saws should be shut off, with the chain brake engaged, when the climber moves to another position. Because it is extremely hazardous to use a chain saw in a tree, safety precautions are important. A climber must be secured with a work-positioning lanyard or another line in addition to the climbing line when using a chain saw in a tree. This is for added stability and safety in case either line is severed accidentally.

When pruning a tree, the climber usually works from the top down.  Limbs should be pruned at the tips or ends of the branches with limited interior branch pruning.  The climber normally works radially around the tree to access each limb, while working down through the tree. Normally, the lowest limbs are the last to be pruned, but this may vary from tree to tree.  The climber should make his work plan in advance of the ascent and communicate that plan with the ground workers. These plans may change while working the tree, but communication is critical for safety.

Accidents are prevented through the conscious recognition of potential hazards in the workplace and the effort to avoid them. Yet it takes only one lax moment or unexpected event for an accident to happen. 

Because of this, every worker on the crew should be trained in first aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and aerial rescue. Aerial rescue is the process of safely bringing an injured or unconscious worker to the ground.

The most important aspect of aerial rescue is safety. Workers must be trained to assess the emergency situation and make decisions based on the circumstances, the victim's perceived condition, and the help that may be available.

 Good training and practice help workers handle emergencies more safely and efficiently. There is no time for panic. A rescuer who fails to take the proper precautions may become a second victim.

There are a number of ways a climber can be injured in a tree. Electrocution, heart attack, heat exhaustion, insect or animal attack, a blow from a swinging limb, or a chain saw cut could leave a worker dangling helplessly in a tree. Ground workers should maintain a close watch on climbers and remain in voice contact. A climber could get hurt and lose consciousness without ever calling for help. 

When a climber is injured or unconscious in a tree, the rescue procedure should begin immediately. If there is more than one worker in the area, one should go for help immediately. Emergency numbers should be posted in the vehicle, and employees instructed in their location.

When calling for emergency assistance, be sure to give the exact location of the accident and the nature of the emergency. Be sure to tell the operator if it involves a high-angle rescue. Do not hang up first. Let the emergency personnel obtain all necessary information and be the first to hang up. If there is only one rescuer, he or she may call for assistance but should stay and help the injured worker if possible. No rescue attempt should be started without first contacting emergency help.

The first step in assessing an emergency situation is to determine whether there is an electrical hazard. Because the chance of the rescuer becoming a second victim is great, utility company experts recommend calling the local electric company to avoid any further direct or indirect contact.

If the victim has been electrocuted, the rescuer must make an informed decision whether to attempt a rescue or wait for the utility's emergency help. Minutes can mean the difference between life and death. Yet a hasty rescue attempt may lead to the electrocution of the rescuer. Never attempt to climb a tree or rope that may be energized. 

If there is no electrical hazard, it is important to get to the victim to assess his or her condition. The rescuer must first assess what may have caused the accident (e.g., hanging limbs, insects, or defect in the tree) before ascending. 

The rescuer should use proper climbing equipment and remain secured while climbing to the victim. The rescuer must never risk becoming a second victim or putting others in danger. When practical, the rescuer should use a second climbing line and tie in above the victim. If the tree is not energized, climbing spurs may be used to reach the victim.  

Upon reaching the victim, a quick check should be made to determine the nature of the injury. If the victim appears to have a broken neck or spinal injury and is breathing, no attempt should be made to move the victim. Be sure the victim is secure, and his or her equipment is safe, and wait for emergency help to arrive. One of the first tenets of first aid is to avoid moving the victim unless necessary. 

Although all first-aid procedures can be performed more effectively on the ground, moving the victim may complicate injuries. However, an injured worker hanging for a prolonged period in the climbing harness could lose consciousness and/or go into shock, so continue to monitor breathing, pulse, and overall condition.

In some cases, the best decision may be to await emergency personnel, who will have the equipment that can prevent further injuries while lowering the victim. Most emergency rescue teams have training and equipment to reduce further injury, but are not trained or equipped to rescue victims out of trees. In many cases, it will still be up to the tree workers to get the victim down. Specific training and practice are essential for aerial rescue and first-aid procedures.

 The necessary rescue equipment must be in good condition and readily available. Some companies keep a separate rescue kit that is not used for routine, daily work. This should include a climbing line and saddle, a lanyard, a throwline, climbing spurs, a pole pruner, a sharp knife, and a first aid kit.

The rescue kit should be taken off the truck at the start of each job. It may not be accessible if it is on an energized truck.

Some companies now advocate that a second line, called an access line, be hung when working above 50 ft (15 m), particularly if the tree is difficult to enter or ascend. This can save valuable minutes if an aerial rescue becomes necessary.

The ability to react swiftly and safely to save a life depends on keeping a cool head, using common sense, and being prepared. Proper training and practice can save crucial minutes that could mean the difference between life and death. 

This is a blog present by a Kephas landscaping & Property maintenance services, a Calgary based year round landscaping, tree services, snow removal company.

(Information and images cited from ISA study guide)