Climbing Equipment Safety and Techniques
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Climbing Equipment Safety and Techniques

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@LuminousGadolinium

Questions and Answers

Which of the following are defects that would require a rope to be retired? (Select all that apply)

  • Cuts (correct)
  • Excessive fraying (correct)
  • Glazing of the fibers (correct)
  • Tight knots
  • List five hazards a climber should inspect a tree for before climbing.

    Broken limbs, electrical hazards, dead limbs, decay, splits.

    The load on any piece of climbing or rigging equipment can be many times higher than the weight of the climber or the limb being rigged.

    True

    The ______ ______ reported by the manufacturer is the breaking strength of a rope or piece of hardware.

    <p>tensile strength</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Climbers may also choose to use a ______ - ______ device when tying in.

    <p>friction-saving</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A _____ - _____ knot is often tied in the tail from the climbing hitch as a _____ _____ to prevent the end from going through climbing hitch.

    <p>figure-8, stopper knot</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A _____ is a type of knot used to secure a rope around an object, another rope, or the standing part of the same rope.

    <p>hitch</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A _____ joins two rope ends together.

    <p>bend</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Two methods of using a climbing line to ascend a tree are _____ - _____ and _____ _____.

    <p>body-thrust, secured footlock</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When footlocking, putting the hands on or above the Prusik hitch could cause it to slide down the climbing line, creating a fall.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Because _____ _____ can damage a tree, they are approved for use only on trees to be removed, or for aerial rescues.

    <p>climbing spurs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    For added stability and safety, a climber should be secured with a _____ - _____ _____ in addition to the climbing line when using a chain saw in a tree.

    <p>work-positioning lanyard</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The most important factor in any aerial rescue situation is speed - getting the victim to the ground in the shortest amount of time possible.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    _____ is the use of ropes and other equipment to take down trees or remove limbs.

    <p>rigging</p> Signup and view all the answers

    _____ - _____ ropes are not recommended for natural-crotch rigging, where the friction of the cover with the tree causes an imbalance in the load taken by the core and cover braids.

    <p>double-braid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The _____ _____ of a rope is the tensile strength divided by the working-load limit.

    <p>design factor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Carabiners must always be loaded along their _____ _____, and never across the gate.

    <p>major axis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    _____ _____ are heavy-duty pulleys with a large, rotating sheave for the lowering line, and a smaller, fixed sheave to accept a rope sling.

    <p>arborist blocks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In contrast, _____ _____ are designed for static, overhead rigging, where the loads are known and very low friction is required.

    <p>rescue pulleys</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Natural crotches can be fast and effective for use as a rigging point, but the consistent friction and versatility of placement of an arborist block is often a great advantage.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When the piece must be removed without dropping either the butt or tip, it can be tied so it is _____, then lowered to the ground.

    <p>balanced</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A technique in which a piece is tied above the point where it will be cut, and the line is run through a block or crotch below the cut is called _____ _____.

    <p>butt hitching</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The _____ _____ is the classic three-point cut, which dates back to the early years of arboriculture.

    <p>drop cut</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The _____ _____ is a variation of standard tree-felling techniques that employs the use of a notch and back cut to form a hinge and 'steer' the limb.

    <p>topping cut</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Know how to identify knots. Name a few examples.

    <p>Blake's hitch, bowline, figure-8, slip knot.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    May be used to attach a block.

    <p>rope sling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Used for secured footlocking.

    <p>Prusik loop</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Used for taking wraps.

    <p>bollard</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a climbing technique mentioned in the text?

    <p>body-thrust</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Rope Inspection Defects

    • Four defects requiring retirement: cuts, excessive fraying, puffs, and herniated fibers.
    • Additional defects include abrasions, changes in diameter, discoloration, and glazing of fibers.

    Tree Hazards Before Climbing

    • Inspect for broken limbs and electrical hazards.
    • Look for dead limbs, decay, and splits in the tree.

    Load on Climbing Equipment

    • Load can exceed many times the weight of the climber or limb being rigged, indicating the significance of equipment strength.

    Rope Breaking Strength

    • Tensile strength refers to the breaking strength reported by the manufacturer for ropes or hardware.

    Friction-Saving Devices

    • Climbers can use friction-saving devices to minimize rope wear and tree damage while assisting in climbing.

    Stopper Knot Application

    • A figure-8 knot serves as a stopper knot tied in the climbing hitch's tail to prevent slipping.

    Types of Knots

    • A hitch secures a rope around an object, while a bend is used for joining two rope ends.

    Climbing Techniques

    • Two methods for ascending a tree: body-thrust and secured footlock.

    Footlocking Safety

    • Avoid placing hands above the Prusik hitch during footlocking, as this could cause the hitch to slide down and lead to a fall.

    Climbing Spurs Usage

    • Climbing spurs can only be used on trees scheduled for removal or in aerial rescues due to their damaging potential.

    Safety Equipment for Chainsaws

    • Use a work-positioning lanyard in addition to the climbing line for added stability and safety when operating a chainsaw in a tree.

    Aerial Rescue Priorities

    • Speed is not the most vital factor in aerial rescue; careful assessment and execution are crucial.

    Rigging Definition

    • Rigging employs ropes and equipment for tree removal or limb lowering.

    Natural-Crotch Rigging Considerations

    • Double-braid ropes are unsuitable for natural-crotch rigging due to potential load imbalances.

    Design Factor

    • Calculated by dividing the tensile strength of a rope by its working-load limit.

    Carabiner Loading

    • Carabiners must be loaded along the major axis to ensure safety, never across the gate.

    Pulleys in Arboriculture

    • Arborist blocks have heavy-duty construction for lowering lines, while rescue pulleys are designed for static rigging scenarios.

    Advantages of Arborist Blocks

    • Natural crotches are fast for rigging points, but arborist blocks offer consistent friction and versatile placement advantages.

    Balanced Removal Techniques

    • Items must be tied to achieve balance before being lowered, ensuring centered weight distribution during descent.

    Butt Hitching Technique

    • A method where a piece is tied above the cut point and the line runs through a block or crotch below the cut.

    Tree Felling Cuts

    • The drop cut is a classic three-point cut technique used in arboriculture.
    • The topping cut utilizes a notch and back cut to create a hinge for steering limbs during removal.

    Knot Identification

    • Important knots include Blake's hitch, bowline, figure-8, and slip knot, each with distinct applications.

    Rope Accessories

    • Rope slings can be used to attach blocks, while Prusik loops are specifically employed for secured footlocking.

    Taking Wraps

    • A bollard is used for taking wraps during rigging operations.

    Climbing Techniques Summary

    • Body-thrust technique is a key climbing method for advancing upward within a tree.

    Rope Deformation

    • Curves or arcs in a rope indicate flexibility and potential strain points in climbing scenarios.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on climbing equipment safety, including inspection for defects in ropes, understanding tree hazards, and the importance of load limits. Learn about the types of knots used in climbing and the function of friction-saving devices. This quiz is essential for climbers looking to enhance their safety practices.

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