Five years climbing with a loose lanyard before someone said something

Been topping trees since 2019. Always had my lanyard hang a little slack because it felt faster. Last week a older climber watched me for five minutes then asked if I liked falling. Told me to cinch it tight against my saddle. Who else had a basic habit they never questioned?

2 comments

2 Comments

charles_coleman4d ago

Saw a post on another forum where a guy said he ran a chainsaw with a loose chain for two years until it flew off and almost hit him. Some habits just stick until someone calls you out.

alice2424d ago

Used to be one of those guys who thought "it still cuts, so it's fine." Never bothered with chain tension because I figured a little wobble was no big deal. Then a buddy of mine had a chain snap on him and the recoil whip cracked his safety glasses. Changed my tune real quick after seeing the dent in that plastic. Now I check the tension every time I refill, even if it's just a quick trim. Do you check yours before you start cutting, or just when you think it sounds off?