Since the day I’ve started dealing with high angle activities, I’ve read and heard stories of the dangers and risks associated with it. From a simple thing like the Karabiner screw-gate unscrewing itself to major cases like equipment failure. My brother who is with the SCDF DART always emphases on checking and re-checking all the time. Therefore, I’ve always been very careful in protecting myself when it comes to high angle activities. I’d always double-check all my equipment before, during and after the activity. This is a practice that I’ve been doing every time, in fact, it has sort of become my habit.
On the 20th Dec, I personally encountered a case which I’ve heard of yet never been seen or happened to me.
I was on the platform to launch the participant from the Zip Line. This is my time conducting this Zip Line at this location. I clip myself into the safety line and stepped out onto the platform. Soon I started dispatching the participants one by one. Just before the first session is over, the incident happened.
I was checking on the participant’s Personal Protective Equipment to make sure that all the karabiners are locked. Then I stepped to the edge of the platform to retrieve the rest of my equipment. Just before I could make the move, my habit kicks in. I took a glance at my Karabiner and to my surprise, the screw-gate is not only unscrewed but it was opened too! The safety cable had unscrewed the screw-gate and at the same time causes the gate to open. I immediately try to solve the problem on the platform. But that means I’ll be standing on the platform without any safety line attached to me.
I decided to step back into the building instead. The moment I stepped into the building, the whole safety cable came off from the Karabiner. I stood there with my left hand holding on to the steel safety cable while the other hand holding on to the Karabiner, thinking to myself - what If I did not do the safety check and I go ahead to retrieve the rest of the equipment? I could have fallen 3 - 4 levels down. Now I really understand how shivers down the spine feels like.
As I do not have the necessary equipment, I have to clipped myself back onto the safety line once more and stood back onto the platform to finish up with the activity. I took a step to the edge and looked down. “Its gonna hurt real bad if I have fallen, maybe not even survive.” I think to myself.
After the 1st half of the activity I went straight to the Abseil tower to look for Justin and borrowed a sling from him to make my safety line bomb proof before I conduct the next session.
I think I should allocate some funds to get some accessories for my PPE also and not only on the camera.
Word of advice for all: Always make it a habit to check and re-check your equipment all the time. This is a good habit to keep, and it safe my life...
you heng siah... go buy toto 