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.…

Episode 4 see's John and Dave talk about their biggest inspirations and mentors, amongst candid anecdotes.Von John & Dave

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…

This inspiring tale of strength and faith is a must listen. Walther is a one of a kind person, who we can all learn from.Von John & Dave

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.…

Dave and John sit down with Tim and Scott from Reflections services, in a beautiful whiskey room setting, to discuss the city dwelling rope access life.Von John & Dave

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.Von Leigh

In this episode, we introduce you to the podcast and your hosts, John and Dave. You will hear our story in to rope access and how it all began.Von John

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.Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

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?Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

IN-PERSON INTERVIEW WITH CANADIAN ARBORIST KIRSTEN - PODCAST - THE ROPE ACCESS AND CLIMBING PODCAST Hello and welcome back to The Rope Access and Climbing Podcast. This week I’m chatting with Canadian Arborist Kirsten about the industry and some of her experiences. Then after the interview, she and I went out Ice Climbing here in Canmore, Alberta S…

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?Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

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 …

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.Von Leigh

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?Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

INTRODUCING DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES INTO ROPE ACCESS - PODCAST - THE ROPE ACCESS AND CLIMBING PODCAST Hello and welcome back to The Rope Access and Climbing Podcast. This week I want to touch on something that I have encountered over the years. But, kind of never really thought about it. Yes, I have spoken about cross-training on my platform before. B…

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.Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

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 safeVon Leigh

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN 2022 - PODCAST - THE ROPE ACCESS AND CLIMBING PODCAST Hello and welcome back to The Rope Access and Climbing Podcast. Today I’m going to let you in on a few things that I have planned for the upcoming year. Now, let’s note that a lot of this depends on travel and the overall COVID situation globally. But I’m hopeful that things …

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.Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

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?Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

LEVEL 4 RE-CAP - PODCAST - THE ROPE ACCESS AND CLIMBING PODCAST Hello and welcome back to The Rope Access and Climbing Podcast. Today I’m chatting about some of my findings after the last podcast where I asked the question. Does the Rope Access industry need a Level 4? I found what people had to say interesting. Many of the people that joined the c…

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.Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

ROPE ACCESS LEVEL 4? - PODCAST - THE ROPE ACCESS AND CLIMBING PODCAST Hello and welcome back to The Rope Access and Climbing Podcast. Today I’m chatting about if the Rope Access industry needs a level 4. Now this episode is based mostly on my personal feelings about the subject and well I end up going down a bit of a rabbit hole here but all and al…

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.Von Leigh

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?Von Leigh

PROBABILITY OVER CONSEQUENCE - PODCAST - THE ROPE ACCESS AND CLIMBING PODCAST Hello and welcome back to The Rope Access and Climbing Podcast. Today I’m chatting about Probability over Consequence. Many of people will know this as Likelihood over severity and that’s fine too. I have found it really comes down to the different industry you’re working…

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?Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

CONFIDENT VS COCKY - PODCAST - THE ROPE ACCESS AND CLIMBING PODCAST Hello and welcome back to The Rope Access and Climbing Podcast. Today I’m chatting about being confident but not cocky and what that looks like. This is a subject I have thought a lot about over the years and have spoke a little bit about on my platform. Yet never really dove into …

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.Von Leigh

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.…

RESPECTING YOUR FELLOW ROPE TECHS - PODCAST - THE ROPE ACCESS AND CLIMBING PODCAST Hello and welcome back to The Rope Access and Climbing Podcast. Today I’m chatting about Respect for your fellow Rope Techs. Now this doesn’t have to be just for the rope access industry. But as we know that’s the industry, I’m in so I can only really speak to that. …

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.Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

THE BASICS OF SWL - PODCAST - THE ROPE ACCESS AND CLIMBING PODCAST Hello and welcome back to The Rope Access and Climbing Podcast. This week I’m chatting about the basics of Safe Working Load (SWL). This isn’t going to be a long episode but with the increased interest in the topic, I wanted to shine some light on the subject. This is part 1 of 2. S…

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.Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh

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.Von Leigh