Rope Access Tips, Tricks & Chats

This week we chat about rigging ropes that can be retrieved. The IRATA document says can't normally be used for rescue. Do we need to change this as we have better methods now. have a listen and let me know what you think. 

This week we have a quick chat about first aid tickets. What IRATA say we need and could we do a bit better. Let us know what you think. Reach out on the socials. 

At 5th Point we have been using the Skylotec descenders for over 10 months now. Here is an update on what we know now. 

The time we have been waiting a while for the RASS Rope Access Safety Supervisor course is here. What to know who can become a RASS, or who can run a RASS course. Take a listen and find out all the info.  

How did the hanging haul become a thing? This week we have a look at how we ended up in the roof of a training centre, hauling one of our mates to the roof. To then send him back to the ground. Is this a real situation? 

This week we have a chat about the main differences between the Petzl Rig and the Skylotec Spark. Which one would you use?If you would like to buy me a coffee, click the link below. buymeacoffee.com/rattac

This week we sit down with Andre Quinn from Just Get It Done and chat about the rope access challenge.Where did the idea come from?What's it like to organise the first rope access competition in Australia?Where is it heading?

This week we answer a few questions we have been asked, no particular order or topic, but some very interesting questions. Some of the answers may surprise you.

This week we take a dive into some of the uses that Petzl say you can use a Grillion for. Big question is, can you hoist on it? If you like what we do here you can buy me a coffee. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RATTAC

This week we have a chat about the age limit on doing you level 1.The noise on the street is that IRATA has been looking at a change. What would be the knock on affects if this was to happen? what would be the benefits and what would be the drawbacks? If you like what we do here and want to help expand the podcast, you could 'buy me a coffee', click on the link below if you are keen, and thanks if you do.https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RATTAC

This week we have a look at how my harness has changed over 25 years.What did I have on my harness in the late 90's and what has changed to today. Which bits of kit have lasted the test of time, what have i moved onto, and what do I miss.Let us know what you still have on your harness and isn't going anywhere soon.

This week we take a look at the new Harken Multi Ascender.Could this be the new direction for a chest ascender, can we now call it a point of connection, once and for all?I love the way Harken are bring tried and tested sailing technology into the world of rope access.Have you had a play with the Harken Multi ascender? let us know what you think of it.

This week we have a look at the new Edelrid Fuse and compare it to the Petzl ASAP.It has been a long time coming, but has another manufacture designed an auto following back up device that works better than the ASAP?Have a listen for a side-by-side comparison, and if you have used them both, let us know which one you prefer.

It's time to have a chat about another fun rescue when you are on your next IRATA course or when having a play in a training centre.This is another rescue along the lines of the Singapore special. Trying to tick as many level 3 assessment boxes as we can and only leaving the ground once.

This week we chat about the new level 3 online exam, Im sure you all have lots of questions and would like to know how it is set up and what's involved.Have a listen and we will break down how it is set up and what you can do to prepare for it.

Hi Everyone,We are back!, we have been on a break for a while, but now we are back.Its time to to have some more tips, tricks and chats.Have a listen on what's been going on and what we have planned for this season.

This week we have a look at which type of karabiners we use. Are you team Ally or Steel?why do some people say you can't use Ally karabiners in heavy industry?That shape karabiners should you use?

This week we carry on with our chats about the connector that keeps us safe, Karabiners.What's your preferred locking system Auto or Screw? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both of them?This week we take a look at why you would choose one over the other.

This week we look at the common pole straps and how we use them in rope access, what the difference and what do you get extra for the money.

This week we chat about the karabiners we use and do they need to be done up?The one on your footloop? how about the one on a pulley in a hauling system?We discuss them all and if its undone is it a discrepancy on assessment day?

So you are keen to get ahead before you turn up for your level 1 course, this week we give you some tips of things to learn and try and understand before you turn up on day one.If you have friends who are thinking of getting into rope access, this is an episode for them.

Time to talk about the elephant in the room on every IRATA course. Hands up if you have ever suffered from repetitive strain injury (RSI) or occasional overuse syndrome (OOS). Yep that pain in the elbow after a long ascent, long  aid climb or the 6th time you have done the loop rescue this week.We chat about how it happens, advice we have received off of experts of body movement to fix it and how we can stop it happening in the first place.

This week we have a look at some of the Powered Ascenders that are available on the market.We chat about what's the difference is between them,  why choose one over another and how we have worked with them.

This week we are having a chat with Mikey Reid, from the outskirts of Aberdeen as a professional boxer and trainer, he got a tip to get a rope ticket, how will a roofers son go with 2 points?  How did that get him to Australia?

Booked in for your IRATA level 1? Or thinking of getting into rope access. This week we cover the things you can practice and look into before the course and some tips of what not to do during the week. 

Seems we still had some unanswered questions about when and how we use the Asap in a rescue situation .If you missed the first part go have a listen only a few weeks back.Let us know how you use the ASAP in rigging of ropes.

This week is 100 weekly episodes, thank you for coming on this journey into all things rope access.We thought now would be a good time to chat about how we ended up on 2 ropes rather than one. This story might surprise you.

This week we answer one of the questions we have been asked.Can you explain the difference between SWL, MBS and WLL.We take a look at how it all works and explain the difference and where you might come into contact with them.

This week we chat about where the Petzl ASAP is used in hauling and lowering situation.Are we setting ourselves up to fail an Assessment.

This week we look at an near miss where no knots in the ropes was only part of the problem.We hope this chat highlights the posable issues and how we can all avoid them.Stay safe

This week we look at a safety bulletin on strains while working on the ropes.We hope this helps anyone from avoiding injury.we look back on  some  tips from Charles Cooper back in our chat last year. check that out in Ep 61.

This week we are looking at an IRATA safety bulletin about slings slipping on an anchorage.If you are rigging ropes around round or square structure this episode is for you. We include some great lessons learnt and how to avoid a similar situation.

This week we do some basic maths to work out how to best set up a 3-1 pulley system with some basic rope access gear.Using an ID and karabiners is surprisingly inefficient, but how bad is it? 

The gear i use everyday has changed a bit this year.I do a rundown on how my harness is set up. How i use a some new gear and changing the way some gear is used.Also a bonus fast way to pass knots.

This week we chat about working on the ropes and undertaking hot works, cutting, grinding,welding. All of these tasks that introduce a new hazard to our work environment.We chat about what we have seen used and not used on site.As always a few tips for products that might work for you. 

This week we chat about retrievable rigging or pull throughs. We look at the plus sides and down sides of various systems and how we could do it safer.Let us know  your preferred system and why you like it.

This week we take a look at the Skylotec Spark, this may have answered the question I have heard a lot since the Sirius came out, ' can we get one without the panic feature?' well the Spark is exactly that.Have a listen as we run through the features.

This week we chat about the chest ascender, is it half a point or one point? we discuss the story behind the this urban myth.What about if you attach to a casualty on an ascender, can they be used as a point of attachment?

This week we have a look at rescues on two descenders.Why do we not teach this to Level 1's?Should we be work on two descenders more?

Is the standard of technicians dropping? Do we need technicians to get more hours between levels? Is it more experience that's needed or more hours on ropes? Sound we get more training for each level?We ask these and more questions this week.

Do we need an IRATA  level 4? I think i first heard this discussed when i was a level 1, but it comes up more often in conversation theses days.What would you like to see on a level 4 course, We have a look at a few options. 

This week we turn the normal level 3 rescue, passing a set of knots on its head.Why don't we get level 3's to lower a casualty and have to to bypass knots?We look at situations where you may need this skill in the field, and options for how it is done.Let us know if you would like this rescue added to the level 3 syllabus.

This week we discuss the single deviation rescue, This is a level 2 skill, we ask why do we get level 2's to do this rescue? Could you just unclip the deviation? shouldn't we have level 2's rescue past a double deviation?Let us know what your thoughts are on the single deviation.

This week we take a look at breaking into a tight line, Why this was taken out of the IRATA level 3, Is it a good skill to know and should it come back.Let us know what you think about the technique and if it should make a comeback.

We have been asked to share our knowledge on how to look after our ropes to make them last longer and keep us safe.Various manufacturers give different advice and we try and work through this and give you some points to follow.

This week we chat with Tane from Caines Rope Access, We cover working in the tropics, going from employee to owner in 3 months and how you can travel the World on an IRATA ticket.

This wee we look at all the myths we have heard about what you can do if your IRATA ticket expires.We then look at each level and see what you need to do to upgrade or revalidate.This is a good one to share with your mates to ensure they stay current and save some money.

This week we chat with Mac Northeast the inventor of the Mac Pro and the Ladder Safe Leash.We chat about how these products came about, one from an accident Mac witnessed, the testing process and the evolution of the products.If you are keen to get your hands on them check out.www.mac-pro.com.au and Ladder Safe Leash on Face book.

This week we take a look at how we can work out the angles in our rigging. We look at using our hands to help us work this out, and the use of  some technology to make life easier?

This week we sit down with Dave Stafford and chat about a 20 plus year career in rope access.Do you need a trade or can you work as a level 3 and make that your trade, keeping people safe on the ropes and solving the access problem.

Carrying on from our other episode on the rule of 60, we talk about how the number 60 can help you work out the rough load on a deviation anchor.How much force are you putting on that anchor? Here is a quick way to work it out.