I have noticed when working with new climbers and riggers on job sites that they are not learning or being shown the most basic ways of doing their jobs. For example ( small example ) the use of a single biener as a descender over using a newer device like a I'd or a Gri Gri. The examples can be many and I am sure every old guy out there had their own story. I have always trusted in the method of teaching that you learn from the ground up. Meaning, I will be more then willing to teach you what I can but you will learn the old way first, master that and then you can move onto the new gear being used. I feel this does a few things for a climber/rigger. It gives the student solid back up skills in case all fails them, and gives a greater appreciation for the history of what they are doing that has been made easyer for them.
I like to drill into students heads that it wont be a fancy new toy that will solve most problems but a skill that is used little but will always be there when you need it ( as long as you took the time to learn it ). I had a teacher that had me lay out all my climbing gear one day, had me tell him why I have what I have. As I was going thru all the nice new gear he had a smerk that I new was going to be bad for me at some point. After I was done he took every thing from me for the exception of a rope, 4 bieners and a prusick. He gave me a normally easy task and told me to do it.... with what he left me. Down in flames I went. Point was made, all the gear in the world is nice but when thats all you know you are setting your self up for failure.
How many of the reader/posters here drill using the minimum amount of gear, just so they know that there crew will be able to operate when in a jam?
I like to drill into students heads that it wont be a fancy new toy that will solve most problems but a skill that is used little but will always be there when you need it ( as long as you took the time to learn it ). I had a teacher that had me lay out all my climbing gear one day, had me tell him why I have what I have. As I was going thru all the nice new gear he had a smerk that I new was going to be bad for me at some point. After I was done he took every thing from me for the exception of a rope, 4 bieners and a prusick. He gave me a normally easy task and told me to do it.... with what he left me. Down in flames I went. Point was made, all the gear in the world is nice but when thats all you know you are setting your self up for failure.
How many of the reader/posters here drill using the minimum amount of gear, just so they know that there crew will be able to operate when in a jam?
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