Open AccessCompatibility of Toothed Ascenders with Arborist Climbing Ropes
Author(s) -
Brian Kane
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
arboriculture and urban forestry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 2155-0778
pISSN - 1935-5297
DOI - 10.48044/jauf.2011.024
Subject(s) - rope , climbing , climb , backup , compatibility (geochemistry) , structural engineering , drop test , computer science , mathematics , engineering , operating system , aerospace engineering , chemical engineering
Climbers are increasingly using ascenders to access trees, both as a substitute for Prusik loops used in footlocking a doubled rope and with the single rope technique. Manufacturers, however, have explicit limitations on use of ascenders, many of which are violated when used in tree climb-ing. Ascenders were tested on four arborist climbing ropes in a dynamic drop test; impact load and arrest distance were measured. Of 67 tests, arrest distance met the EN 12841-2006 Standard (≤2 m) only 10 times. Impact loads averaged more than five kN, adding a backup friction hitch to the as-cender increased impact load to more than six kN. Climbers need to be made aware of the appropriate use of ascenders, and only use compatible ropes.