Fear of heights

Sherry777

I have been climbing heaps of trees and palms but still not feeling safe up there Grrrrrr,, how long do it takes to feel secure and enjoy the heights???
any good tips?
Hate heights but love my job as arborist

Drouin Tree Service

Not sure mate some days im fine with heights other days don't want to be there,just concentrate on what your doing and get they day over with is what i go by.Its healthy to have a bit of fear IMHO

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Apocalypsse

I've never had a problem with towers or climbing but when it comes to scaling a ladder more than 1.5 metres I get twitchy.

Jeff Darby

lol's To true lopa. I use it as a safety tool to keep me safe on the rare occasion I climb these days.

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newguy18

i never have a problem with heights,scared of ladders though.

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old schooler

derwoodii

Perhaps in time some fear will blend to respect. I could hanglide at 1000 foot, climb as high as needed on a rope but put me near a cliff edge without a hand hold I'd freak. You'll learn to trust your gear improve your skills. Perhaps go to a indoor rock climb center you'll pick up rope tricks and get time up in good control.

Apocalypsse

Totally agree, when you are geared up and are confident with it the fear isn't there. When you are put near the edge of something like a cliff (or for me the gutter on the house roof) then you get all scared/etc.

derwoodii

Ta Apocalypsse. Whats interesting, I never wanted to do a parachute jump or a bungee fall, thought about it often, had the opportunity I know it must be a buzz but I reckon that stepping off NQR.
If I got time to see how chutes or rubber works pak wind it trust it hmm maybe but I'll likely miss that thrill this life.
Sherry777 so we all respect heights it natural and I found some people try this trade and leave as they are never at ease with it. You can push your self a bit but don't think climbin is the end of Arb be a good groundie a good tree tech or learn the many other crafts needed in the trade

Brent Ferris

I agree with the people talking about gear. Once you trust the gear, the fear of heights will diminish. I was never that bothered about heights, just the fear of falling. But learned to trust the gear, and all was good -- took a few years to get used to the 2 inch drop when the biner changed from horizontal to vertical unexpectedly.

I had the opportunity (some years ago) in a mind access course to eliminate --or at least significantly reduce -- my fear of falling. I never wanted that. Fear keeps you checking, keeps you safe, allows you to step safely to the ground and be thankful for the fear. If I wasn't afraid about the many myriad of things that can happen to you in the tree, I would be overconfident - then I would likely make a mistake and fall. And falling hurts. Fell about 30 feet in '92, not interested in doing that again. i was really lucky that day. Being afraid is a good thing. It allows me to still climb -- and I'm nearing 60.

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Treeson

I'm not so scared of falling, It's just the sudden stop when you hit the ground that I'm scared of!

I've been climbing for about 4 years and still have my moments where you think It's a bit of a way up up here! It's all about trusting your gear and knowing your gear is in safe working order.

Saw Dust Smoken

Know your knots or mechanical equipment. Use a double ty in with tricky spots.
More time aloft will ease most fears. Keep some fear factor will keep ya alive.
Spend time on you own climbing. More relaxed less rushed. Time = Experience...

Treemonkee

Yep shat myself for the first two years with the heights, then one day I done a tree and was so comfortable the fear disappeared.never looked back since.find ya moment and hold that feeling.