r/ropeaccess Mar 17 '25

Friendly reminder about politics in this subreddit

58 Upvotes

Just fucking don't.

There are plenty of other places to bring that shit up on Reddit. This subreddit is for learning, employment, and just general rope access questions.

Leave the political shit out of it.


r/ropeaccess 23h ago

Amazing views from atop the Ally center, downtown Detroit.

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40 Upvotes

Emergency service to secure a light that had become dislodged from its housing and was hanging by its electrical connection.


r/ropeaccess 1d ago

It’s not a toy!

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44 Upvotes

Having way too much fun with this terradaptor model.


r/ropeaccess 6h ago

What’s a realistic pathway to become a rope access technician (interested in the geotechnical side of things)

1 Upvotes

hi guys

im a complete novice at anything rope access related but for a few months now I‘ve been doing random research and seeing videos of it all over and I’d like to actually try and go somewhere with it.

i’m just unsure if I’m too late to it being 24 years old without any experience. I’ve looked mostly into rockfall protection/geotechnical but all of it does catch my attention honestly. would anyone know if that’s a realistic place to start or with this type of work is it known to start by doing simple tasks ie painting, window cleaning? not sure what one would do after they’ve got their IRATA certificate or if a company can sponsor one to get their IRATA level 1.

i know anyone can go onto the level 1 without any experience but if you’d get this what would the next step be going towards rockfall protection etc.

any information would be good i just want to get a sense of what the pathway would look like

thanks


r/ropeaccess 11h ago

Parallel tickets alongside level 1?

1 Upvotes

Hello,

Another pre-level 1 newbie asking for career advice. I'm an arborist, about to do my level 1 and change direction. I'm interested in heritage glass & building conservation, and will be learning the trade slowly over the next few years. In the meantime, I want to get some time on the ropes, get some hours logged and have another income stream as tree work is getting quite dull for me.

I know as a level 1 without a trade, I'll be restricted to the more unskilled work, although the arb background will be a slight advantage. I'm just wondering, in the meantime, if there are any tickets I can get from short courses that will open a few more doors, without committing to an apprenticeship? I'm considering painter/blaster or slinger/signaller - i'm not sure if it's just as simple as get the ticket and find work, but ideally I am looking for something that simple. Preferences towards construction/building maintenance or wind. Any advice greatly appreciated!


r/ropeaccess 1d ago

Built a rigging force calculator (Y-hang, Deviation, Pulley) — feedback from actual techs welcome

3 Upvotes

Hi all,

Been building Riggaton, an app for calculating forces in rope systems—mainly wanted something interactive instead of static charts. You place anchors/points, drag them, and it recalculates live. You can even add multiple calculations over a picture of your system.

Covers:

  • Y-hang load share between two anchors
  • Deviation force from included angle
  • Slope/gravity loading
  • Theoretical Mechanical Advantage Pulley + pull force for simple/compound/complex systems (build the system with anchors, redirects, sheaves, rope-grabs)

Theoretical only — doesn't account for friction, pulley efficiency, rope stretch, anchor condition, etc. Meant as a planning/teaching aid, not a substitute for training or judgment.

$3.99 on Play Store, no ads, no account, all calculations run locally: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riggaton.finalapp&hl=en_CA

Would genuinely appreciate feedback from people who rig for work — especially if something's off or missing.


r/ropeaccess 2d ago

How to know a reputable retailer when you see one

0 Upvotes

Hi all

I'll soon be buying a full kit for window cleaning.

I plan on going into some physical stores to try out some gear. Then see if any online retailers offer a better price for the same equipment.

Is it reasonable to expect I'll be able to find reputable online sellers? Or should I stick with in store only?

Context:

I'll be buying brand new only

In Melbourne Aus

I need everything from harness, cows tails, descender, carabiners etc.

TIA


r/ropeaccess 3d ago

Can I climb Here?

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4 Upvotes

Hello,

We're thinking about building a patio roof ~ at the level of the red line. Total size ~ 8x4 m.

The problem is that the gable has to remain accessible for painting.

Is it an option to take a industrial climbing course and then do the work by climbing?

There are sturdy anchor points available, but the direction might be a bit tricky at times.

I have experience working at heights and have been up telecommunications poles before, but this would be a bit different.


r/ropeaccess 3d ago

Edelrid vector Y

1 Upvotes

Hi, i’m planning to buy a new harness. i've got a climbing technology gryphon, i'm quite happy with it but i find that the quality of the stitching are not so good. I would like to try something new


r/ropeaccess 4d ago

SPRAT Week

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21 Upvotes

Another great week! 5 new level one students and one new level two. Shoutout to our awesome trainers Tony & Gabe, and our Evaluator Matt!


r/ropeaccess 4d ago

Lvl 2 getting into Geo

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’ve been working as a tech for a bit mainly in oil and gas. But also done building maintenance, window washing and bridge work!

I wanted to round my rope access resume out a bit more so I’ve been offered a job in geo flying around some remote spots of Canada mostly doing scaling.

What are some things I can expect, any tips on clothing or ways to make the most out of my time.

Thanks in advance !


r/ropeaccess 5d ago

Pulley for steel cables with a diameter of 20-40mm?

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8 Upvotes

Hello, I'm looking for lightweight pulleys for traversing large steel cables with a diameter of 20-40mm.

We currently have Kong Rolley pulleys, but I don't like them because the anchor point is about 30cm below the cable.

Do you know of any suppliers or manufacturers for something like the one in the picture? Thanks!


r/ropeaccess 6d ago

New petzl absorbica with ziptie?

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27 Upvotes

I just bought the new petzl absorbica Y-150 (this) and opening it for checking everything is right I've found a ziptie that hold half of the absorber/roll and the external cover. Always had old absorber with flat system and I'm not sure how this absorber will deploy so I'm in doubt. Anyone with the same absorber can confirm is meant to be there?


r/ropeaccess 6d ago

Blowing it's Ring Out...

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2 Upvotes

Just a little more than 20 knots...


r/ropeaccess 6d ago

HSE product recall.

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5 Upvotes

Just a heads up if anyone has bought or used any of these products. They’re not up to standard and have counterfeit conformity certs. Stay safe folks.


r/ropeaccess 7d ago

Upcoming SPRAT Course September 14th-18th Washington State

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7 Upvotes

Our courses keep filling fast! Two spots left for our September 14th-18th class.


r/ropeaccess 6d ago

Rope access geotechnical work, what’s people thoughts on harness and descender models?

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3 Upvotes

r/ropeaccess 7d ago

Petzl falcon with Progress adjust

5 Upvotes

Love my Petzl Falcon harness with top croll L. Being able to take the top croll off and use the sit with Duck as backup is amazing in summer. Wondering how people attach the progress adjust to the d. Was thinking of using a Petzl Open o under the D and attach it there with two adjusts as cows tails. Or use a compact shackle to attach it to my main d rather than using a carabiner to save space.


r/ropeaccess 8d ago

Certification recommendations?

4 Upvotes

I'm currently based out of Richmond, Virginia, and am interested in getting my introductory certification. Dual Sprat/IRATA, I am thinking? Because 'why not'?

Not sure if people are able to recommend any companies that I may be able to get the certification with? I'm more than willing to drive somewhere and get a hotel if needed.

It's more important to me that I get the best education possible, as opposed to saving on cost.

And even if it's a separate business, I'd be curious if there are businesses that could help me select the best items for a personal kit? Harnesses and whatever else I might need?

EDIT:

Looks like two companies I can find online that offer the courses are Elevated Safety, as well as Altius. Not sure if/what people here have opinions on those companies?


r/ropeaccess 8d ago

Does my plan make sense? Getting IRATA LVL 1 and working in AUS

6 Upvotes

The title pretty much sums it up. I'm 28 years old and currently saving for my studies, based in Vienna with an Australian passport. I've been working as a climbing instructor for some years and currently I'm working for a company that does ads with some rope access jobs. I've done some of the easier jobs without a license and have to say I really enjoyed it. And since my plan was to go to AUS for 6 months anyways, I thought why not work in Rope Access and make good money there.

So is it worth doing the IRATA Level 1 in order to work in AUS for some 6 months (with the possibility of continuing in Europe afterwards)?


r/ropeaccess 8d ago

Anyone else annoyed you can’t get the Enigma 3Lock Double in Black?

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10 Upvotes

Well you can, you just need two black 3Locks!


r/ropeaccess 8d ago

Harness selection for mast climbing

4 Upvotes

I sail a lot in a local yacht club and being the only person under the age of 30 I’ve been asked to climb a lot of masts to do maintenance and other random stuff and I just don’t feel safe in the general bosuns chair they all keep it’s only a padded seat with leg loops and was wondering what kind of harness works best for sitting in for extended periods of time without cutting all the blood flow to my legs but is also full body so I won’t just fall out


r/ropeaccess 9d ago

Looking for a gig

6 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I'm irata/sprat L1 rigger. Have over 10 years experience mostly as an entertainment rigger, steel scaff, festivals, arena, soundstage, ballroom etc.

Looking for work, willing to travel, and branch out into more industrial applications ( in my area in entertainment, its rare i come across someone who is above L1, which means I can't get a higher cert :( )

Looking for entertainment, industrial, tree, whatever.

Hoping to find tips for work at that level of certification. Also certified for a typical array of mewps and fork, osha 10, etc.

I'm in the deep south USA but willing to travel anywhere really. Particularly with the entertainment orientation, work tends to dry up here in the summer. Any tips appreciated, thanks!


r/ropeaccess 8d ago

What’s the name of the device that manages excess positioner tail?

0 Upvotes

It clips to the side of your harness.