[W2CRA] Be careful when working on your antennas

[Glenn Bukowski]

A Cautionary Tale from a homeowner’s insurance claim:
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“I am writing in response to your request for additional information for Block 3 of the accident reporting form. I put ‘poor planning’ as the cause of my accident and, subsequent claim. 
You said in your letter that I should explain more fully…
I am an amateur radio operator and, on the day of the accident, I was working alone on the top section of my new 80 foot antenna tower. When I completed my work,  I discovered that, I had over the course of several trips up the tower, brought up nearly 300 pounds of tools and spare hardware. Rather  than carry the, now unneeded tools and material down by hand, I decided to lower the items down in a small barrel by using the pulley attached to the gin pole at the top of the tower.
Securing the rope at ground level, I went to the top of the tower and loaded the tools and other material into the barrel. Then, I went back to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the three hundred pounds of tools.
You will note, in Block Number 11 of this form, that I weigh 155 pounds.
Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground, I lost my presence of mind and neglected to let go of the rope. 
I proceeded up the tower at a surprising speed until I reached the 40 foot level where I encountered the barrel of tools coming down. This explains my concussion and broken collarbone (see Block Number 16, ‘Summary of Injuries’).
“Slowed only slightly by the encounter, I continued my ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were well into the pulley, hence, the broken fingers referenced in Block Number 16.
Fortunately, by this time, I had regained some of my composure and had the presence of mind to hold on to the rope in spite of the pain. At about that time, the barrel of tools hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. 
Relieved of the weight of tools, the barrel now weighed about 20 pounds. I refer you again to my weight as stated in Block Number 11. I now began my rapid descent down the side of the tower.
At about the 40 foot level, I encountered the barrel on its way up. This explains the broken ankle and lacerated leg referenced in Block Number 16.
The encounter with the barrel slowed my descent enough to lessen my injuries when I fell on the pile of tools. Only three of my vertebrae cracked (Block Number 16).
I am grieved to report, however, that as I lay there on the tools, in pain and unable to move, I experienced the moment of ‘poor planning’ that I referenced in the original report. 
I let go of the rope…”
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This cautionary tale was reported in “The Darwin Awards II” (Wendy Northcutt) 2001, Dutton Publishers.
It is an Urban Legend.
It never happened.
Do not try this at home to see if it works ;-)