On Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:32:49 +0100, Stig Arne Bye
wrote:

jps wrote:

Why would it suddenly engage several feet from the ground?

Is it something he did at the last moment?


Without neither knowing the exact equipment in use nor how the equipment
were setup and/or used, it's difficult to tell exactly, but there are
several possibilities:
- Incorrect selection of equipment for the actual work situation.
- Incorrect setup and/or use of equipment.
- Damaged or worn out equipment (e.g. rope).
- Equipment failure.

Basically, a properly selected and used fall arrestor shall engage
almost instantly without any user intervention and stop the fall
instantly or within maximum a few metres (regulations in several
countries), so in this case there were definitely something wrong...



Stig Arne Bye

Do you find it surprising that after 7.9 stories something did engage?

I'm a believer in natural law. That's as close to God as I can
muster. When stuff like this happens, it makes me question what I
haven't accounted for...

I'm thinking spirit helpers at this point. How the hell does someone
fall that many feet only to be snapped taught in the last few inches
before splat? The odds seem pretty slim after 100+ ft.