[SOC] Fw: [arizonaham] No Brainer

[bob baxter]

I'm forwarding this from the Arizonaham group.  I think this fellow is
qualified for our group.

Bob Baxter AA7EQ
Bisbee, Az.

>
> An insurance company asked for more information regarding a work-
> related accident claim. This was the response:
>
> "I put 'poor planning' as the cause of my accident. I am an amateur
> radio operator and was working on the top section of my new 80 foot
> tower. When I had completed my work, I discovered that I had, over the
> course of several trips up the tower, brought up about 300 pounds of
> tools and spare hardware. Rather than carry the materials down by
> hand, I decided to lower the items using a pulley. Securing the rope
> at ground level, I went to the top of the tower and loaded the tools
> into a small barrel. Then I went back to the ground and untied the
> rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the 300 pounds
> of tools. You will note in block number 11 of the accident report
> that I weigh 155 pounds.
> Due to my surprise of being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost
> my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. I proceeded at a
> rather rapid rate of speed up the side of the tower. In the vicinity
> of the 40 foot level, I met the barrel coming down. This explains my
> fractured skull and broken collarbone. Slowed only slightly, I
> continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right
> hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. I regained my presence
> of mind and was able to hold onto the rope in spite of my pain. At
> the same time, however, the barrel of tools hit the ground and the
> bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the tools, the
> barrel now weighed approximately 20 pounds. I refer you again to my
> weight in block number 11. As you might imagine, I began a rapid
> descent down the side of the tower. In the vicinity of the 40 foot
> level, I met the barrel coming up.  This accounts for the two
> fractured ankles, and the lacerations of my legs and lower body. The
> encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when
> I fell onto the pile of tools so only three vertebrae were cracked.
>
> I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay on the tools, in pain,
> unable to stand and watching the empty barrel 80
> feet above me, I again lost my presence of mind and let go of the
> rope..."
> *******************************************************************
> This piece of "wisdom" provided by N0BUM (N-ZERO BUM), with his
> apology.......
>