The ATN MastClimber is the only single handed bosun's chair that allows the operator to work ABOVE the mast head without leaving the chair. The MastClimber makes climbing the mast safer and easier. The MastClimber does not require a static line as it can be fit OVER any existing halyard.

The Operation

The MastClimber is a great system as it uses the leg muscles to climb, allowing you to reach the mast head not exhausted by the climb. Operation of the MastClimber for climbing the mast is done by alternatively standing up on the leg straps, which allows you to slide up the one-way jammer of the bosun's chair, then sitting onto the bosun's chair, which allows you to slide up the one-way jammer of the leg strap, then standing up on the leg straps. To descend the mast, the procedure is reversed.

The MastClimber consists of 2 parts; a bosun's chair with back rest and one-way jammer, and leg straps (with loops for the feet) with one-way jammer.

Also available is the ATN MastClimber Kit which excludes the bosun’s chair - the option should the sailor wish to keep their favourite bosun’s chair. The MastClimber Kit includes 2 Ascenders + Footstrap + Upper Extension with a bag.

Click to shop at Adventure Safety

At Adventure Safety, as Australia’s premier online outdoor adventure store, we are fortunate to conduct most of our transactions online and have been able to continue to work remotely (‘smart commute’) and operate at full capacity. Unfortunately, to limit social interaction we have closed down the Sandringham showroom and are no longer accepting pick-ups, but are continuing to ship the majority of our range. If there are any supply issues or we will not be able to fulfil an order, a notice will be posted on the listing and you will hear from our sales team.

We are as concerned as you about contributing to the spread of COVID-19 and have taken all measures we deem necessary to prevent it. Although the likelihood of transmitting the virus is low via postal services, we are taking additional precautions to ensure our logistics team do not personally spread the virus in any capacity.

We continue to partner with many of our suppliers who ship products directly to our customers on our behalf. We have great trust in our supply network, and have been assured that they are taking the necessary precautionary sanitation measures to ensure the products that they ship to our customers are clean.

In the event that the lockdown in Australia is heightened and both the postal system and our suppliers must cease operations, we will put a notice on our site explaining to all customers we are closed until further notice.

If you have any questions about the steps we have taken or any of the products we are selling on our site, please do not hesitate to reach out. I can be contacted directly at joe@adventuresafey.com.au and am more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Wishing you and all of our customers good health and all the best. Stay safe!

Joe Dusting

National Operations Manager

Green shipping

We have migrated our courier to Sendle, Australia’s first 100% carbon-neutral delivery service. ~90% of products that are shipped via our Sandringham showroom will use this service, excluding those who elect to have their items shipped to a PO box.

Compostable packaging

Furthermore, 100% of goods dispatched from our showroom will use sustainable Hero packaging, a responsible alternative to plastic packaging. This packaging is created from corn starch and PBAT, both of which can be composted at home, at a composting facility or will biodegrade naturally if just sent to landfill. For more information on these bags, please visit our FAQ section. The link for their range of compostable mailers can be found here.

Adventure Safety has also begun the transition to environmentally friendly protective packaging to replace bubble wrap with Ranpak Geami Green Wrap. Green wrap is a protective packaging material made from SFI (sustainable forest initiative)/recycled materials and is 100% compostable and biodegradable. This form of packaging does not require plastic tape of any form.

Commitment to recycling

At Adventure Safety, we are constantly receiving shipments of new products to dispatch to our customers. With these shipments, comes excess plastic and other single-use products. The Adventure Safety team is committed to recycling 100% of plastics we receive from our suppliers along with any recyclable material such as cardboard and compostable mailers.

For those of you don't know me I'm Joe, the National Operations Manager for Adventure Safety. It's been many years since we've used this blog space, but the team and I have decided to bring back the blog to provide some insight and updates into the changes we've made to the Adventure Safety store over the years since it was created in 2012.

I will update this blog site over the new few days with some posts I have prepared, including "Our Story", information on our "Going Green 2020" sustainability initiative, product reviews, and other information that our customers might find useful.

If there's any topics our customers would like featured or questions answered, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly: joe@adventuresafety.com.au

Thanks for reading.

Your test should include a visual inspection of the PLB for signs of physical damage and verify the red switch cover is in place over activate button. and the  “Replace LiFeS2 Battery” date. Should the switch cover be removed, the battery time expired or the beacon fail subsequent test contact us to arrange repair / service. 

To prevent inadvertent activation under NO circumstances remove RED switch cover during TEST. (Non-emergency operation carries severe penalty.) 

Beacon Test

1. Release antenna from PLB by sliding forward from slot and set antenna to vertical position

2. Press Blue button (approx. 1 second) until Red light illuminates then release button and red light will extinguish. After (approx. 1 second) white strobe light will flash then Green light will illuminate indicating test pass. 

3. Carefully place antenna around PLB and slide end-lock back into top section slot.

Optional Beacon GPS Test

The optional test will consume battery power and to ensure maximum battery life the GPS test should not be conducted more than two times per year. If tested repeatedly over time the GPS test function will be locked out.

The RED cover prevents the PLB from being accidentally activated. It is in the owner’s interest to ensure that this cover remains in place to remove any doubt as to whether the beacon has been operated causing reduction of battery life. Before testing ensure beacon is positioned outdoors in an open area with a clear unobstructed view of the sky and avoid testing during poor weather conditions (heavy rain) and note that testing may be terminated at any time by pressing Blue test button until the red light stops flashing.

Optional GPS test (Warning do not remove RED switch cover)

1. Press and hold the Blue test button (approx. 4 seconds) until Red light flashes rapidly then release button. Red light will now flash every two seconds during test (up to 1 minute) then strobe light will flash and Green light will illuminate indicating test pass.

Troubleshooting

We are finding that occasionally some customers are pressing the TEST button for longer than they realise when trying to conduct a Self Test. To initiate a Self Test, press the TEST button for only 1 second (until the red LED illuminates) then release.

We are also finding that some customers have been trying to test their beacon whilst the antenna remains wrapped around the beacon. It is important to understand that the Self-Test function performs many diagnostic tests including the radio signal amplifiers and the transfer of radio signals to the antenna. If the antenna is wrapped around the beacon or if the antenna is close to large metal objects then the transfer of radio signals to the antenna will be compromised and the beacon is likely to fail Self-Test

When conducting a Self-Test ensure that the antenna is upright and more than 1 metre away from large metal objects. Ensure also that your hand and other body parts are not touching or close to the antenna.

If you are correctly initiating a Self test and the beacon continues to fail when the antenna is correctly positioned then the product may have developed a fault and should be returned and we will arrange for inspection and repair or replacement of the product as quickly as practical.

The attached documents are in excel and pdf format, with hyperlinks to the products wherever possible.

If you have any questions, or want us to substantiate the recommendations we have made, drop a comment below and we will happily reply publicly for all.

Guides for Category 5/6 coming soon.

I was a goner. Following a critical, unplanned detour, solo and without cell-phone signal, way off-trail, injured, immobile and without any viable exit strategy – I was surely going to die of exposure within 48hrs, unregarded and alone on a remote sea-cliff ledge.

I’m an ordinary trekker. Weekends and holidays, nothing special – just like most of you folks. In any case, no matter how well-prepared, no matter how well-researched, it was finally my turn to get it badly wrong, slip-up and take a fall. Only 10 feet too but partly head-first onto uncompromising, solid rock was no joy and knocked me senseless. As luck would have it (although I was thoroughly unconvinced at that early stage that this was my day of good fortune...) I’d somehow managed to stay put on a precarious, fragile ledge. However, with a truly lethal cliff and an angry sea beckoning mere feet in front of me and the ugly shadow of the wings of the Angel of Death lurking above me, furthermore burdened with blurred vision, temporary amnesia and with my pounding head feeling like Luca Brasi had worn out his favourite baseball bat on it, yet without the power of flight at my command, I was pretty much... well, toast. With almost all strategies unworthy of further consideration, I was apparently soon to be sleeping with the fishes myself.

My remaining option, my last resort was to deploy my ACR ResQLink PLB beacon and hope that the wretched bloody thing co-operated. For three long years and without complaint, I’d patiently lugged the little device everywhere, up-hill and down-dale and had never, ever asked anything of it until now. Just once. Just this once. Just this time. Please, please work!

With a clear view to sky, I flipped out its modest aerial (Oh I thought, I’d hoped it was a lot bigger than that) and firmly held down the activate button, clenched my loosened teeth and held my breath. It sure seemed like a looong couple of seconds to endure. Then a discreet flashing red LED. Nothing more. Oh dear, it’s failed. That’s it. Finito. I’m dead! Then a second or two later, the baleful red turned to a joyful, sparkling green and a piercingly brilliant little strobe light kicked in as well. There must have been some electronic handshaking of sorts or formal protocols to observe 25,000 miles away, way up in geostationary orbit. Maybe there were other urgent distress calls to process at that same time from Everest or the Marianas Trench, from far more worthy souls than foolhardy me. In any case, with execution temporarily stayed, I set it down, waited and hoped while my newest BFF, silently and efficiently did its stuff. What else could I do?

Less than 45mins later, far off, reeeal far off, reluctantly carried to me in the otherwise unsympathetic arms of the wind, was the faintest whump-whump-whump-whump-whump-whump...! And 90secs after that, the shadow of Death was assertively blown away by the blast of Police S&R chopper downwash, swirling grit and deafening clamour. The thumbs-up gesture from the intimidating-looking black storm-trooper eyeballing me up-and-down, himself cluttered with menacing-looking gear and hanging threateningly from his open hatch no more than 20ft away (in cryptic, unheard conference with his commanding pilot and who knows who else and perhaps dithering between unleashing their laser beams upon me or instead, firing the chin turret-mounted multi-barrelled cannon) I swear, overcame me. I cannot adequately describe in words the concomitant, profound rush of joy. The sublime, simple sweetness of it. The cavalry had arrived. I was safe – damaged – but I’d live.

And so... I wept.

Later, as the abseiling paramedics descended towards me, I looked down at my boots and my faithful little ACR beacon, no bigger than a pack of cards and, until that day almost completely ignored by me and blithely taken for granted, was still dutifully and energetically blinking and signalling. Oblivious to all but its one job in this World. Its one and only assigned task – to save me. Accordingly I de-activated it, finally extinguishing the flashing strobe and holding it gently unto me, I thought: That’ll do, my reliable miniature guardian angel. That’ll do. You’ve done your job. You’ve done your job – well.

To all you ordinary weekend adventurers and especially you solo trekking girls and boys out there, just ask yourself one simple question: How much is your life worth? If it’s more than the price of a lousy hedge-trimmer or a couple of tanks of gas or a decent night out on the town – then please, do yourself a grand favour and buy an ACR beacon and get yourself registered. You don’t have to be a pro, in desperate strife hanging upside-down 12,000ft up K2 or foundering under rogue waves in a Roaring Forties tempest 750nm off Tierra del Fuego. You just have to get unlucky – just once – on an ordinary, local weekend trek. It happened to me. It happens every day to someone.

To ACR: Thank you from the ends of the Earth and the bottom of my heart. Thank you from Down Under. Thank you for saving me.

Thank you... for caring.

Mike Lyons

Waterfall NSW

Australia

Related stories on the news: search & rescue operation on Thu April 2, 2015 at The Balconies, Bundeena, NSW Australia:

1.Short news story in local newspaper (The St George & Sutherland Shire Leader): See http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2994380/wattamolla-beach-rescuecliff-fall-at-bundeena/

2.Same story (as above) as posted by NSW Police Media Unit: http://libreprensa.com/s/7105098/wattamolla-beach-rescue-cliff-fall-at-bundeena#s/7105059

3.NSW Police Force Air Wing post with story and images on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SutherlandLAC/posts/913369475360692

So we’ve talked about the all important base layer, providing warmth and heat retention next to your skin … and wicking away the water when you get wet. But what about the outer layers?

When most people think about clothing for sailing, they think about a big jacket, pants and boots – the outer layer. But with so many choices and brands, how do you choose what’s right for you? In this short article, we’ll do our best to help you out.

Step 1: Usage

Decide the worst conditions you are going to ask your gear to protect you from – I say worst, because no one ever comes to us and says, “Jeff, that jacket was just too good for the conditions I sail in”. Be realistic, but don’t answer this question with, “Bay sailing on sunny days” and then take it with you on your trip to Tassie.

So try to put your intended use into one of the following:

• 1.Dockside: You want something to keep out the wind and a bit of ‘rain’ while looking good on the dock … we are not addressing this usage situation in this article I’m afraid.
• 2.Sub-tropical sailing: you are lucky enough to be sailing where the temperature rarely drops below 20C
• 3.Temperate Coastal Sailing: You sail where the air temperature gets into the low teens, and with additional wind chill drops a few degrees more. You still sail when it’s raining, but are back in the bar within a couple of hours.
• 4.Offshore Sailing: You sail for extended periods where the weather is unpredictable and you expect to get wet. You expect your gear to work to protect you though day and night.

• 5.Southern offshore and ocean sailing. You are exposed to the extreme of conditions, and need durable gear that keeps you dry in all conditions and you expect to be wearing it for extended periods.

Step 2: Crew Position

I bring this up really to make two comments. Crew on the bow often get very wet and often select a usage category one higher than some of the other crew. Secondly, if you are ocean racing and spend time on the rail – you too might like to step up a level – it is very sad to be sitting on the rail wishing you’d spent the extra $200 bucks on the gear that would be keeping you warm.

Step 3: Select the Product – Budget, Brand and Features

Let me start by saying, at Adventure Safety, we don’t stock any low quality items, and personal preference regarding the style, features and brand come into play here.

My suggestion is that you select the product type you are interested in from the table below, if you are brand conscious, exclude the brands you don’t like, if you have a budget threshold exclude those that exceed your budget. On this basis you will be left with 2-4 options that meet your need … and then you can take a closer look at the features and price.

Test Score: AdventureSafety has been running tests of many of the items in the table above, where available, the test score is provided. The score is comprised the following assessment dimensions, weighted equally and reduced to a score out of 10 and assessed against the intended use category:

• Durability
• Water Proof
• Comfort

The official line (from Table 2.3.A of the IATA regs) is that "Portable electronic devices (including medical devices) containing Lithium metal of Lithium ion cells or batteries, such as watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, computers, camcorders, etc., when carried by passengers or crew for personal use." can be placed in carry on bags, checked in bags and permitted on one's person. This means that items like the PLB and EPIRBs can be carried on board planes. Spare batteries by themselves are only allowed in carry on baggage or on one's person.

The complication of course arises from individual airline rules that might modify this clause. Our recommendation is always to check on the airlines website, but not to ask directly! If the person you are talking too is not sure they are most likely to say no!

If you want to read the IATA guide on travelling and shipping Lithium Batteries and Cells, take a look here.  Note that all PLBs we sell have less than 2g of Lithium Metal and are therefore permitted to be carried, and should be carried in carry-on baggage (2.3.5.9)

What about my PFD?

In January 2013, IATA amended the rules that allow the carriage and shipping of packed CO2 cylinders - the rules allow us to ship you your PFD and correctly packed re-arming kit.   They also allow you to carry your PFD on your flight, as either as carry-on baggage, checked (hold) baggage or in person only with prior approval of the airline. 

This is according to the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations; 50th edition, published 1st January 2009, Section 2.3.4.2 (see below.)

http://www.iata.co.uk/

What is Wet Out?

I know when researching this piece that I have experienced what I now know is 'Wet Out' - its a condition where the outer layer of the fabric gets saturated with water while the inner layer isn't leaking.   The outer layer becomes heavy making you feel damp and cold.   It is direct consequence of the water repellant outer layer deteriorating.   

But don't despair, you can restore the water repellence quite easily - step one, throw it in the dryer for 20 minutes.   In most cases this works, otherwise you can apply a water repellant treatment that you include in the wash or apply afterwards.   We are testing a couple of these and will report back soon.

Wash, Dry and Restore

Before we start, let me say, this is guidance only, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s care instructions ─ typically found on the inside tag.

WASH

DRY

DRY CLEAN

WATER REPELLENT TREATMENT