|
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
Yesterday I was stuck in both arms; one for an IV, and the other for a line into my heart...
The back story is one that some of you may already know; I had a stress test 6 years ago based on my family upline male history. That stress test was interrupted due to a large abnormality, despite the many EKGs which had been taken due to my shoulder surgeries having been entirely normal. Stents were installed, and I went on a lifetime medication regime which totally altered my cholesterol readings. No ill effects noted, ever, and, suddenly, I was able to continue to breathe when I worked hard (my marker had been how little I could row, despite not being physically fatigued, without stopping to regain my breath). Fast forward to the present, when I had an infection which I pursued courtesy of Medicare. The meds prescribed for that, we assume, had some negative side effects, because I was constantly tired. In addition, the work we’re now doing on the boat involved a couple of instances of nearly total depletion, heavy sweating, and shortness of breath. The doc recommended a stress test in any event, but as a good followup, now that there had been a lot of water under the keel, so to speak. So, I did another stress test. The surface results were very good. Quick uptake on heart rate, no difficulty in maintaining it for quite a while, while it continued to climb (no breathing or strength issues; the tech said “Wow – you must be a runner!” – which I’m not, at all), and a quick recovery. However, the EKG suggested some anomaly, and my followup appointment was moved up by a couple of weeks. The cardio guy wants to do a catheterization. That’s where they run a line into your artery and follow it to the heart, where they look around, and, if needed, as in the first case, resolve any problems. The chief difference in last time to this one is that they now, if possible, go in through the arm, rather than carving a hole in my leg to get to the groin artery. No problem finding MY artery (the sticker said I could be a model for a phlebotomy class), and, a half-hour later, I was finished. No problem found, including in my previous stents, and I was out of there before noon, as there was no waiting time for my excavation (in the groin) to heal/scab. While I didn’t get to talk to the cardio guy, and will have a followup appointment in a couple of weeks, the word was that he was very pleased, and there are no indications of the need for anything in my medications or activities to change. So, all is well. While I can’t do anything more strenuous than picking up a mug of coffee for a couple of days with my right hand (the scab on my artery, if it were to fail, could bleed me out in a matter of minutes), we’re continuing to work on Flying Pig, where we’re VERY close to finished. L8R Skip |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
"Flying Pig" wrote in message
... Yesterday I was stuck in both arms; one for an IV, and the other for a line into my heart... The back story is one that some of you may already know; I had a stress test 6 years ago based on my family upline male history. That stress test was interrupted due to a large abnormality, despite the many EKGs which had been taken due to my shoulder surgeries having been entirely normal. Stents were installed, and I went on a lifetime medication regime which totally altered my cholesterol readings. No ill effects noted, ever, and, suddenly, I was able to continue to breathe when I worked hard (my marker had been how little I could row, despite not being physically fatigued, without stopping to regain my breath). Clogged arteries no doubt. I bet they put you on about 20mg of Crestor aka rosuvastatin. That will clean them out over a period of a couple of years. . . The stents managed to bypass the clogs in the heart arteries. You'd probably be dead now without them. Fast forward to the present, when I had an infection which I pursued courtesy of Medicare. The meds prescribed for that, we assume, had some negative side effects, because I was constantly tired. In addition, the work we’re now doing on the boat involved a couple of instances of nearly total depletion, heavy sweating, and shortness of breath. The doc recommended a stress test in any event, but as a good followup, now that there had been a lot of water under the keel, so to speak. So, I did another stress test. The surface results were very good. Quick uptake on heart rate, no difficulty in maintaining it for quite a while, while it continued to climb (no breathing or strength issues; the tech said “Wow – you must be a runner!” – which I’m not, at all), and a quick recovery. However, the EKG suggested some anomaly, and my followup appointment was moved up by a couple of weeks. Some anomaly? The trouble with EKG's is there are not very many qualified cardiologists who can read all those squiggley lines and ascertain causality. It's mostly a crap-shoot unless you can find a real expert. The cardio guy wants to do a catheterization. That’s where they run a line into your artery and follow it to the heart, where they look around, and, if needed, as in the first case, resolve any problems. The chief difference in last time to this one is that they now, if possible, go in through the arm, rather than carving a hole in my leg to get to the groin artery. No problem finding MY artery (the sticker said I could be a model for a phlebotomy class), and, a half-hour later, I was finished. Big bulging veins and arteries generally indicate chronic hyperrtension. No problem found, including in my previous stents, and I was out of there before noon, as there was no waiting time for my excavation (in the groin) to heal/scab. While I didn’t get to talk to the cardio guy, and will have a followup appointment in a couple of weeks, the word was that he was very pleased, and there are no indications of the need for anything in my medications or activities to change. He's probably going to tell you something like you have a valve or two that aren't in tip-top shape but, at your age, they will just have to do as they aren't bad enough to indicate replacements and something else will probably kill you before the leaky valves do. Also they will probably tell you that they detected some muscle death in the heart itself - probably caused before you got the stents. Not much can be done about regenerating those heart muscle cells barring intervention with stem cell therapy and yours aren't damaged enough to warrant invasive surgery. So, all is well. While I can’t do anything more strenuous than picking up a mug of coffee for a couple of days with my right hand (the scab on my artery, if it were to fail, could bleed me out in a matter of minutes), we’re continuing to work on Flying Pig, where we’re VERY close to finished. Hurry up and get her launched - you sound like a ticking time bomb to me. LOL! Oh, and stop wasting precious Medicare dollars. Here's a valuable tip. Start taking Co enzyme Q-10 - at least 200mg daily. It's one of the best things for the heart and for overall energy as it nourishes the mitochondria which are the energy producers in the cells. Muscle cells like the heart need increased number and efficiency of mitochondria and Co Q-10 will do that for you. -- Wilbur Hubbard |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
Wish you all the best, Skip.
|
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On Wednesday, October 31, 2012 6:30:56 PM UTC-4, Wilbur Hubbard wrote:
Clogged arteries no doubt. I bet they put you on about 20mg of Crestor aka rosuvastatin. That will clean them out over a period of a couple of years. . . The stents managed to bypass the clogs in the heart arteries. You'd probably be dead now without them. Correct in most particulars other than it started with Lipitor and went to simvastatin. Mortality unknown as I'm still alive and kicking, and have them (stents) :{)) Some anomaly? The trouble with EKG's is there are not very many qualified cardiologists who can read all those squiggley lines and ascertain causality. It's mostly a crap-shoot unless you can find a real expert. I can't comment on the skills - but it was thought from the squiggles that I might have had an ischemia. Fortunately, no such thing showed up on the path. No problem finding MY artery (the sticker said I could be a model for a phlebotomy class), and, a half-hour later, I was finished. Big bulging veins and arteries generally indicate chronic hyperrtension. Far from it. My BP has been, for decades, under 110 and high 60s/low 70s. Resting pulse low to mid 50s, respiration typical circa 10, +/-2... Yet I can kick it up to 130 in about 3 minutes, and sustain 180, but 5 minutes later, it's under 70. BP at that 5 minutes is about 10 points higher in both, and respiration more like 15, but 5 more minutes and it's all back to base. He's probably going to tell you something like you have a valve or two that aren't in tip-top shape but, at your age, they will just have to do as they aren't bad enough to indicate replacements and something else will probably kill you before the leaky valves do. Mebbe - won't know for a couple of weeks. But the personnel made it sound like it was stellar in there. Also they will probably tell you that they detected some muscle death in the heart itself - probably caused before you got the stents. Not much can be done about regenerating those heart muscle cells barring intervention with stem cell therapy and yours aren't damaged enough to warrant invasive surgery. Also mebbe, but unlikely, as there wasn't any such in the first, which, I agree, was very notable at 75% blockage. None this time, anywhere... Which makes me wonder about the cleansing effect you cite - I'd not known that fillip, but if it's so, I'm pleased. Hurry up and get her launched - you sound like a ticking time bomb to me. LOL! Oh, and stop wasting precious Medicare dollars. Heh. I wondered about that - I really didn't ever expect to be able to utilize Medicare, as I'm never in the country. Since I am, I'm doing all the stuff I might otherwise put off... Meanwhile, my nervous-making period is past, and I'm free to abuse my right arm strength and endurance to whatever degree I can stand. The wound site was about a 1/8" slit on my upper wrist. If I ever need to kill myself, I'll know where to cut, now :{)) Here's a valuable tip. Start taking Co enzyme Q-10 - at least 200mg daily. It's one of the best things for the heart and for overall energy as it nourishes the mitochondria which are the energy producers in the cells. Muscle cells like the heart need increased number and efficiency of mitochondria and Co Q-10 will do that for you. I just got back from the pharm, but forgot about this. Is this an OTC, and if so where might I find it? I already take a large handful of OTC supplements; one more won't matter... L8R Skip |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On Thursday, November 1, 2012 4:55:08 PM UTC-4, slide wrote:
Wish you all the best, Skip. :{)) Thanks... L8R Skip |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On 31/10/2012 3:59 PM, Flying Pig wrote:
snipped So, all is well. While I can’t do anything more strenuous than picking up a mug of coffee for a couple of days with my right hand (the scab on my artery, if it were to fail, could bleed me out in a matter of minutes), we’re continuing to work on Flying Pig, where we’re VERY close to finished. L8R Skip I had another groin incision before I left Oz and discovered that I was actually in better shape than I had been given credit for. I immediately claimed my clean-living habits and conscientious attention to diet and exercise but the doc knew I was bull****ting him. Said I was just lucky. Glad to hear there's a sound prognisis for cruising. We're laid up for the winter but I hope you can get in the water soon and head off. Say hi to Lydia for us. |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
Yesterday afternoon I had my followup to my heart catheterization.
Looks like Wilbur was right - the doc said that there was NOTHING to report. When I pressed him about obstructions, he said "a little - nothing to be concerned about" - so I pressed him harder. "I had over 50% on the right side (the left being the one with the stents). How's that look?" "Lessee - about 30 %." "Was that from taking my statins all this time?" "Yup" "So, by inference, if I keep this up for another few years, there will be NOTHING?" "Yes, that's right." Earlier, the tech who took my vitals and verified what was going on with me currently had asked if I took my statins at night. I said it was right before I went to bed. Good news, as statins work best when you're at rest. I hadn't known, just did it that way after rinsing my toothbrushing. So, I celebrated with a bowl of ice cream after dinner :{)) L8R, y'all Skip, finished with reeving the new lines for the genoa and new running backstays, about to re-gasket the reefer and frig, and generally ticking off the minutae remaining to splash... -- Morgan 461 #2 SV Flying Pig KI4MPC See our galleries at www.justpickone.org/skip/gallery ! Follow us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheFlyingPigLog and/or http://groups.google.com/group/flyingpiglog When a man comes to like a sea life, he is not fit to live on land. - Dr. Samuel Johnson |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
"Flying Pig" wrote in message
... Yesterday afternoon I had my followup to my heart catheterization. Looks like Wilbur was right - the doc said that there was NOTHING to report. Wilbur is right more often than not! :-) When I pressed him about obstructions, he said "a little - nothing to be concerned about" - so I pressed him harder. "I had over 50% on the right side (the left being the one with the stents). How's that look?" "Lessee - about 30 %." "Was that from taking my statins all this time?" "Yup" "So, by inference, if I keep this up for another few years, there will be NOTHING?" "Yes, that's right." YAY!! Earlier, the tech who took my vitals and verified what was going on with me currently had asked if I took my statins at night. I said it was right before I went to bed. Good news, as statins work best when you're at rest. I hadn't known, just did it that way after rinsing my toothbrushing. My doctor told me last visit that Crestor® (generic - rosuvastatin), in a recent study, has been determined to be equally as effective taken any time. I asked because, taken at night as he had previously prescribed, it was causing me to have a lot of gas and some indigestion effects like a 'sour' feeling stomach. I now take my statins in the morning with the rest of my meds and supplements which seems to have negated those adverse side effects probably because they aren't taken on an empty stomach. So, I celebrated with a bowl of ice cream after dinner :{)) Double YAY! I think I'll have a beer to celebrate Wilbur Hubbard |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On 14/11/2012 5:39 PM, Flying Pig wrote:
Yesterday afternoon I had my followup to my heart catheterization. Looks like Wilbur was right - the doc said that there was NOTHING to report. When I pressed him about obstructions, he said "a little - nothing to be concerned about" - so I pressed him harder. "I had over 50% on the right side (the left being the one with the stents). How's that look?" "Lessee - about 30 %." "Was that from taking my statins all this time?" "Yup" "So, by inference, if I keep this up for another few years, there will be NOTHING?" "Yes, that's right." Earlier, the tech who took my vitals and verified what was going on with me currently had asked if I took my statins at night. I said it was right before I went to bed. Good news, as statins work best when you're at rest. I hadn't known, just did it that way after rinsing my toothbrushing. So, I celebrated with a bowl of ice cream after dinner :{)) L8R, y'all Skip, finished with reeving the new lines for the genoa and new running backstays, about to re-gasket the reefer and frig, and generally ticking off the minutae remaining to splash... Skippy - Get the icecream in while you can. Unless you have a generator (don't recall seeing one) might be a while before you can get any more. |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
"injipoint" wrote in message
... On 14/11/2012 5:39 PM, Flying Pig wrote: Yesterday afternoon I had my followup to my heart catheterization. Looks like Wilbur was right - the doc said that there was NOTHING to report. When I pressed him about obstructions, he said "a little - nothing to be concerned about" - so I pressed him harder. "I had over 50% on the right side (the left being the one with the stents). How's that look?" "Lessee - about 30 %." "Was that from taking my statins all this time?" "Yup" "So, by inference, if I keep this up for another few years, there will be NOTHING?" "Yes, that's right." Earlier, the tech who took my vitals and verified what was going on with me currently had asked if I took my statins at night. I said it was right before I went to bed. Good news, as statins work best when you're at rest. I hadn't known, just did it that way after rinsing my toothbrushing. So, I celebrated with a bowl of ice cream after dinner :{)) L8R, y'all Skip, finished with reeving the new lines for the genoa and new running backstays, about to re-gasket the reefer and frig, and generally ticking off the minutae remaining to splash... Skippy - Get the icecream in while you can. Unless you have a generator (don't recall seeing one) might be a while before you can get any more. Not so! Most boats carry a supply of canned whole milk. Canned whole cream is also available. Provided one also has salt, zip-lock bags and ice one can make their own ice cream. http://www.food.com/recipe/instant-h...ce-cream-95452 Wilbur Hubbard |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On 14/11/2012 6:42 PM, Wilbur Hubbard wrote:
"injipoint" wrote in message ... On 14/11/2012 5:39 PM, Flying Pig wrote: Yesterday afternoon I had my followup to my heart catheterization. Looks like Wilbur was right - the doc said that there was NOTHING to report. When I pressed him about obstructions, he said "a little - nothing to be concerned about" - so I pressed him harder. "I had over 50% on the right side (the left being the one with the stents). How's that look?" "Lessee - about 30 %." "Was that from taking my statins all this time?" "Yup" "So, by inference, if I keep this up for another few years, there will be NOTHING?" "Yes, that's right." Earlier, the tech who took my vitals and verified what was going on with me currently had asked if I took my statins at night. I said it was right before I went to bed. Good news, as statins work best when you're at rest. I hadn't known, just did it that way after rinsing my toothbrushing. So, I celebrated with a bowl of ice cream after dinner :{)) L8R, y'all Skip, finished with reeving the new lines for the genoa and new running backstays, about to re-gasket the reefer and frig, and generally ticking off the minutae remaining to splash... Skippy - Get the icecream in while you can. Unless you have a generator (don't recall seeing one) might be a while before you can get any more. Not so! Most boats carry a supply of canned whole milk. Canned whole cream is also available. Provided one also has salt, zip-lock bags and ice one can make their own ice cream. http://www.food.com/recipe/instant-h...ce-cream-95452 Wilbur Hubbard Ha! Never knew that. You learn something every day. |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On Wednesday, November 14, 2012 12:36:34 PM UTC-5, injipoint wrote:
Skippy - Get the icecream in while you can. Unless you have a generator (don't recall seeing one) might be a while before you can get any more. Heh. Our freezer can handle it with aplomb (kinda like chocolate drizzle), but between the extra amps (I'd have to lower the temps by a few degrees), and the breathtaking prices outside the US, not to mention it melting before we could get it to the freezer, my ice cream days are numbered. Not such a bad thing, as I expect that most, if not all, of the 15% weight gain I've had in the last 20 months is a product of that lovely stuff... L8R Skip, going up the mast today, to run new exterior Cat 5, install a new bracket for the wind instrument, and replace (third one - where DO they go??) the windex due to missing arrow and MAYBE install a couple of steps if the'll come far enough to benefit, under the shrouds, not being enough room over them... |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On Thu, 15 Nov 2012 05:55:57 -0800 (PST), Flying Pig
wrote: On Wednesday, November 14, 2012 12:36:34 PM UTC-5, injipoint wrote: Skippy - Get the icecream in while you can. Unless you have a generator (don't recall seeing one) might be a while before you can get any more. Heh. Our freezer can handle it with aplomb (kinda like chocolate drizzle), but between the extra amps (I'd have to lower the temps by a few degrees), and the breathtaking prices outside the US, not to mention it melting before we could get it to the freezer, my ice cream days are numbered. Not such a bad thing, as I expect that most, if not all, of the 15% weight gain I've had in the last 20 months is a product of that lovely stuff... L8R Skip, going up the mast today, to run new exterior Cat 5, install a new bracket for the wind instrument, and replace (third one - where DO they go??) the windex due to missing arrow and MAYBE install a couple of steps if the'll come far enough to benefit, under the shrouds, not being enough room over them... === Be careful up there, law of gravity still prevails. :-) |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On Wednesday, October 31, 2012 10:59:55 AM UTC-4, Flying Pig wrote:
Yesterday I was stuck in both arms; one for an IV, and the other for a line into my heart... The back story is one that some of you may already know; I had a stress test 6 years ago based on my family upline male history. That stress test was interrupted due to a large abnormality, despite the many EKGs which had been taken due to my shoulder surgeries having been entirely normal. Stents were installed, and I went on a lifetime medication regime which totally altered my cholesterol readings. No ill effects noted, ever, and, suddenly, I was able to continue to breathe when I worked hard (my marker had been how little I could row, despite not being physically fatigued, without stopping to regain my breath). Fast forward to the present, when I had an infection which I pursued courtesy of Medicare. The meds prescribed for that, we assume, had some negative side effects, because I was constantly tired. In addition, the work we’re now doing on the boat involved a couple of instances of nearly total depletion, heavy sweating, and shortness of breath. The doc recommended a stress test in any event, but as a good followup, now that there had been a lot of water under the keel, so to speak. So, I did another stress test. The surface results were very good. Quick uptake on heart rate, no difficulty in maintaining it for quite a while, while it continued to climb (no breathing or strength issues; the tech said “Wow – you must be a runner!” – which I’m not, at all), and a quick recovery. However, the EKG suggested some anomaly, and my followup appointment was moved up by a couple of weeks. The cardio guy wants to do a catheterization. That’s where they run a line into your artery and follow it to the heart, where they look around, and, if needed, as in the first case, resolve any problems. The chief difference in last time to this one is that they now, if possible, go in through the arm, rather than carving a hole in my leg to get to the groin artery. No problem finding MY artery (the sticker said I could be a model for a phlebotomy class), and, a half-hour later, I was finished. No problem found, including in my previous stents, and I was out of there before noon, as there was no waiting time for my excavation (in the groin) to heal/scab. While I didn’t get to talk to the cardio guy, and will have a followup appointment in a couple of weeks, the word was that he was very pleased, and there are no indications of the need for anything in my medications or activities to change. So, all is well. While I can’t do anything more strenuous than picking up a mug of coffee for a couple of days with my right hand (the scab on my artery, if it were to fail, could bleed me out in a matter of minutes), we’re continuing to work on Flying Pig, where we’re VERY close to finished. L8R Skip |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On Thursday, November 15, 2012 9:39:03 AM UTC-5, wayne.b wrote:
Be careful up there, law of gravity still prevails. :-) With main halyard on the seat, and the spin halyard around my chest, tied off wherever I get to (2 strands), under my arms, I think I'm safe. The chair is actually quite comfortable and I'm not the least bit put off by heights, so I have a good time, usually, when I go up. Today was frustrating, though, for a variety of reasons, all of which combine to require me to go back up tomorrow for about the same thing, absent the drilling and tapping of the mounting holes... L8R, y'all Skip |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
"Flying Pig" wrote in message
... On Thursday, November 15, 2012 9:39:03 AM UTC-5, wayne.b wrote: Be careful up there, law of gravity still prevails. :-) With main halyard on the seat, and the spin halyard around my chest, tied off wherever I get to (2 strands), under my arms, I think I'm safe. The chair is actually quite comfortable and I'm not the least bit put off by heights, so I have a good time, usually, when I go up. Today was frustrating, though, for a variety of reasons, all of which combine to require me to go back up tomorrow for about the same thing, absent the drilling and tapping of the mounting holes... Whatever happened to the mast steps you talked about about a decade or so ago when you first hauled out? -- Sir Wilbur |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:08:34 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: Whatever happened to the mast steps you talked about about a decade or so ago when you first hauled out? === Mast steps are a dangerous way to go aloft in my opinion unless you use a safety halyard tailed by someone on deck. Steps also have a way of fouling halyards and ripping sails. |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
... On Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:08:34 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: Whatever happened to the mast steps you talked about about a decade or so ago when you first hauled out? === Mast steps are a dangerous way to go aloft in my opinion unless you use a safety halyard tailed by someone on deck. Steps also have a way of fouling halyards and ripping sails. Some of what you said is true but it depends upon the style of the mast steps. My mast steps which I installed myself, one step at a time, fold up out of the way and they have no sharp edges, don't foul the halyards nor do they rip sails. But, I've seen some that very well could do all of the above because of their poor design. http://www.twinsrecreation.com/Boat-...p_p_81533.html Mine look just like the above but mine are ABI brand which seems to have been sold out to somebody else. As for being dangerous to go aloft on, I disagree. One needs no safety line tailed by somebody on deck. Why, that's ludicrous from a single-hander's standpoint. We strive to be independent of some lubberly committee action. It sure is ludicrous that sailors are willing to accept the lie that it takes a committee to make one's way safely to the masthead. -- Sir Wilbur |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
"Wilbur Hubbard" wrote As for being dangerous to go aloft on, I disagree. One needs no safety line tailed by somebody on deck. Why, that's ludicrous from a single-hander's standpoint. We strive to be independent of some lubberly committee action. It sure is ludicrous that sailors are willing to accept the lie that it takes a committee to make one's way safely to the masthead. If it makes him feel more comfortable having someone there, then so be it. Who are you to tell him that he can't have someone there? It may not be any more or less safe, but it's his boat, and his mast. Maybe if for no other reason than for someone to dial 911 when the body hits the deck. |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
"paulthomascpa" wrote in message
... "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: As for being dangerous to go aloft on, I disagree. One needs no safety line tailed by somebody on deck. Why, that's ludicrous from a single-hander's standpoint. We strive to be independent of some lubberly committee action. It sure is ludicrous that sailors are willing to accept the lie that it takes a committee to make one's way safely to the masthead. If it makes him feel more comfortable having someone there, then so be it. Who are you to tell him that he can't have someone there? It may not be any more or less safe, but it's his boat, and his mast. Maybe if for no other reason than for someone to dial 911 when the body hits the deck. Did I tell him he can't have someone there? I suggest you read with comprehension next time around. Um, and his *trawler* has no mast (or, if it has a riding sail, the mast is so short a fall from the top would likely only result in bruised pride). What makes him comfortable is a non sequitur. He proffered advice as if he were some sort of safety expert. I set him straight as his advice was public. I did not hesitate to point out that his concern for safety was not my concern. -- Sir Wilbur |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:18:37 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: Um, and his *trawler* has no mast (or, if it has a riding sail, the mast is so short a fall from the top would likely only result in bruised pride). What makes him comfortable is a non sequitur. He proffered advice as if he were some sort of safety expert. === I sailed 3 to 4,000 miles a year for over 30 years, on many different boats, and have gone aloft just about every way that it is possible to do so, including free climbing. Based on that experience I feel somewhat qualified to offer an opinion or two, and I stand by my original assertion. |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
... On Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:18:37 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: Um, and his *trawler* has no mast (or, if it has a riding sail, the mast is so short a fall from the top would likely only result in bruised pride). What makes him comfortable is a non sequitur. He proffered advice as if he were some sort of safety expert. === I sailed 3 to 4,000 miles a year for over 30 years, on many different boats, and have gone aloft just about every way that it is possible to do so, including free climbing. Based on that experience I feel somewhat qualified to offer an opinion or two, and I stand by my original assertion. And I stand by my rebuttal. I think it was necessary to stand up for individual freedom and initiative. I never have lived my life via committee and I never shall. Furthermore, I feel am more qualified than you are to speak out on the safety issues of ascending the mast because I never retired from a man's vessel into what amounts to a sea-going truck. I climbed my mast just hours ago using the folding steps and no safety lines/harness/belay and suffered no ill. -- Sir Wilbur |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On Friday, November 16, 2012 12:08:35 PM UTC-5, Wilbur Hubbard wrote:
Whatever happened to the mast steps you talked about about a decade or so ago when you first hauled out? -- Sir Wilbur I found a mate nearly exactly a year ago, in the Vero Beach Cruisers Potluck Thanksgiving dinner flea market, to go with one a Seven Seas member had given me right after our wreck in '07. My trips up the mast in the last few days have taken me right to the top, so I can't tell where they'd fit under the shrouds, as I can't quite reach far enough to stick them there without fear of dropping them. If they can be high enough to let me stand higher than I'd sit, I'll install them right under the shroud. Being as large as they are means that the step portion will be fairly low, as the width makes the top of the step start well under the top of the shroud. Ironically, timing wise, I've just had a note from someone who stumbled on one of my old posts somewhere (not here) looking for this type of step; he has 11, with the guard wire clips. 11's not enough for me, unfortunately, so I'll have to pass. They're NIB, including the advertising of the time, so he's had them for a very long while. If I trip over some others which can make up to a full set, I might install them. However, my trips up and down are a piece of cake with our windlass. Couldn't do that single-handing, of course, but that looks very unlikely. I've also had a chance to climb a friend's mast equipped similarly to yours, I think. Cast aluminum, raise and turn 90°, and they mount, lift, raise and drop, and they're essentially flush, presenting ~1" or so. I wasn't uncomfortable with them, but the boat wasn't moving, either :{)) The guards outside the Pace Edwards (made in a triangle) minimize the potential for a side-slide, and are big enough for my 14's... One or two more trips up the mast and I'll be finished up there; I'll see if I can use them on one of the trips now that I'm no longer carrying 25 pounds of tools, too! L8R Skip |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On Sat, 17 Nov 2012 18:30:37 -0800 (PST), Flying Pig
wrote: On Friday, November 16, 2012 12:08:35 PM UTC-5, Wilbur Hubbard wrote: Whatever happened to the mast steps you talked about about a decade or so ago when you first hauled out? -- Sir Wilbur I found a mate nearly exactly a year ago, in the Vero Beach Cruisers Potluck Thanksgiving dinner flea market, to go with one a Seven Seas member had given me right after our wreck in '07. My trips up the mast in the last few days have taken me right to the top, so I can't tell where they'd fit under the shrouds, as I can't quite reach far enough to stick them there without fear of dropping them. If they can be high enough to let me stand higher than I'd sit, I'll install them right under the shroud. Being as large as they are means that the step portion will be fairly low, as the width makes the top of the step start well under the top of the shroud. Ironically, timing wise, I've just had a note from someone who stumbled on one of my old posts somewhere (not here) looking for this type of step; he has 11, with the guard wire clips. 11's not enough for me, unfortunately, so I'll have to pass. They're NIB, including the advertising of the time, so he's had them for a very long while. If I trip over some others which can make up to a full set, I might install them. However, my trips up and down are a piece of cake with our windlass. Couldn't do that single-handing, of course, but that looks very unlikely. I've also had a chance to climb a friend's mast equipped similarly to yours, I think. Cast aluminum, raise and turn 90°, and they mount, lift, raise and drop, and they're essentially flush, presenting ~1" or so. I wasn't uncomfortable with them, but the boat wasn't moving, either :{)) The guards outside the Pace Edwards (made in a triangle) minimize the potential for a side-slide, and are big enough for my 14's... One or two more trips up the mast and I'll be finished up there; I'll see if I can use them on one of the trips now that I'm no longer carrying 25 pounds of tools, too! L8R Skip The proper technique is to have a canvas tool bucket on one halyard. Your "safety man" can fill the bucket and haul it up to you. Gets away from the problem of arriving at the top of the mast only to discover that you forgot the light bulb :-( I also use an electrician lineman's safety belt and snap on when I'm at the work site. It gives you something to oppose the pressure on the drill bit or the screw driver (and it makes you feel safe :-) The canvas bucket, by the way, is not only "salty" but doesn't ding dents in the mast when it swings around. -- Cheers, Bruce |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
"Bruce" wrote in message
... The proper technique is to have a canvas tool bucket on one halyard. Your "safety man" can fill the bucket and haul it up to you. Gets away from the problem of arriving at the top of the mast only to discover that you forgot the light bulb :-( That's exactly what we do. The smaller one I just clip on to my belt, if the occasion warrants. Otherwise, the bucket comes up via the spinpole topping lift. I have some scabs healing on my leg from where the line rubbed both inside and out on the first day's couple of trips up and down... I also use an electrician lineman's safety belt and snap on when I'm at the work site. It gives you something to oppose the pressure on the drill bit or the screw driver (and it makes you feel safe :-) I don't use that, but I have a line on the chair for just holding me in some place; if I need back pressure, I use the double-clipped belt from the galley to go around the mast. The canvas bucket, by the way, is not only "salty" but doesn't ding dents in the mast when it swings around. And, ours is, actually salty, which reminds me that I should probably throw them in the washing machine while we have one available to us. Our lines which I just did came out great, but I couldn't possibly have forecast how dirty they were, taking several times the amount of detergent as used in a large load to just get the first bubble in the black water, despite the tub being nowhere near full... L8R Skip, not going up today due to the wind PS our routine is for me to "help" climb with the spin halyard safety line I have clipped around my chest (not on the chair), and, when I get wherever it is I'm going, pull up enough line to double-half hitch it around me again; if I fall from a failure of seat or line, while it won't be comfortable, I'll not go more than about a foot, max. -- Morgan 461 #2 SV Flying Pig KI4MPC See our galleries at www.justpickone.org/skip/gallery ! Follow us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheFlyingPigLog and/or http://groups.google.com/group/flyingpiglog "Believe me, my young friend, there is *nothing*-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing, messing-about-in-boats; messing about in boats-or *with* boats. In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you've done it there's always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you'd much better not." |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On Sun, 18 Nov 2012 09:38:45 -0500, "Flying Pig"
wrote: "Bruce" wrote in message .. . The proper technique is to have a canvas tool bucket on one halyard. Your "safety man" can fill the bucket and haul it up to you. Gets away from the problem of arriving at the top of the mast only to discover that you forgot the light bulb :-( That's exactly what we do. The smaller one I just clip on to my belt, if the occasion warrants. Otherwise, the bucket comes up via the spinpole topping lift. I have some scabs healing on my leg from where the line rubbed both inside and out on the first day's couple of trips up and down... I also use an electrician lineman's safety belt and snap on when I'm at the work site. It gives you something to oppose the pressure on the drill bit or the screw driver (and it makes you feel safe :-) I don't use that, but I have a line on the chair for just holding me in some place; if I need back pressure, I use the double-clipped belt from the galley to go around the mast. The canvas bucket, by the way, is not only "salty" but doesn't ding dents in the mast when it swings around. And, ours is, actually salty, which reminds me that I should probably throw them in the washing machine while we have one available to us. Our lines which I just did came out great, but I couldn't possibly have forecast how dirty they were, taking several times the amount of detergent as used in a large load to just get the first bubble in the black water, despite the tub being nowhere near full... L8R Skip, not going up today due to the wind PS our routine is for me to "help" climb with the spin halyard safety line I have clipped around my chest (not on the chair), and, when I get wherever it is I'm going, pull up enough line to double-half hitch it around me again; if I fall from a failure of seat or line, while it won't be comfortable, I'll not go more than about a foot, max. I've been up masts without steps but I always felt more secure with steps. A bosin's chair is fine until you need to work on the top of the mast and then it never seems to be able to get high enough. I had mast steps with the top two at the same height so that I wasn't standing on one foot, and high enough so that standing on them my chest was at the top of the mast. Climb up and belt on and it was pretty secure. I also used to occasionally wear a harness with a halyard clipped to it and my wife belaying that end of the halyard so if I did fall I didn't go far. When I was anchored in Singapore there was a young French guy there that used to grab the shrouds on his 25 ft. boat and shinny up the mast with no equipment - like a monkey up a coconut tree :-) -- Cheers, Bruce |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On Mon, 19 Nov 2012 08:29:40 +0700, Bruce
wrote: When I was anchored in Singapore there was a young French guy there that used to grab the shrouds on his 25 ft. boat and shinny up the mast with no equipment - like a monkey up a coconut tree :-) === The key to that technique is "young" and a high strength to weight ratio. Another way is to grab some halyards, brace your feet against the mast, and "walk" up - easier when heeled just a bit - and much easier as a 20 or 30 something than as a retiree. |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
On Sun, 18 Nov 2012 21:19:24 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote: On Mon, 19 Nov 2012 08:29:40 +0700, Bruce wrote: When I was anchored in Singapore there was a young French guy there that used to grab the shrouds on his 25 ft. boat and shinny up the mast with no equipment - like a monkey up a coconut tree :-) === The key to that technique is "young" and a high strength to weight ratio. Another way is to grab some halyards, brace your feet against the mast, and "walk" up - easier when heeled just a bit - and much easier as a 20 or 30 something than as a retiree. Yes. The guy was maybe 25 years old and looked like an underwear advertisement :-) The first time he did it we thought he was showing off but a little later he changed the halyards and did the same thing. -- Cheers, Bruce |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
"Wilbur Hubbard" wrote He proffered advice as if he were some sort of safety expert. I set him straight as As if you were some sort of safety expert? |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
"paulthomascpa" wrote in message
... "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote He proffered advice as if he were some sort of safety expert. I set him straight as As if you were some sort of safety expert? As a layman with more years of mast-climbing experience than he has. To quote the late, great Paul Harvey, "And, now you know the *rest* of the story." -- Sir Wilbur |
STUCK!! (no, not aground!) - OT
"Wilbur Hubbard" wrote As if you were some sort of safety expert? As a layman So. No. |
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