In the spirit of updating our screencasts…and expanding vertical knowledge management systems, we are starting a 3-part (maybe a we’ll add a 4 and 5) series on mechanical advantages. Part 1 is on counting tensions…which is a friction point for some to learn. Although the topic and process of counting tensions is simple linear physics (Newtonian) and doesn’t represent the nonlinearity of real world vertical systems, it does provide a solid foundation for understanding the nonlinearity of counting efficiencies and other system exploitations within the realm of mechanical advantages. We have designed many of these podcasts for a basic CE (continuing education) for NFPA 1006, but we definitely broaden the examples and systems outside of traditional MA’s including mountaineering, canyoneering, climbing, and operational context specific applications.

There are numerous reasons why vertical practitioners take the time to learn how to count tensions (and then efficiencies), for some this technique is used when first learning Mechanical Advantage Systems, others it is used for determining the MA of more complicated rigging systems like the Spanish Burton techniques, and for others it is used as a quick means to determine anchor force… but we have to grasp this concept of counting tensions before we get into counting or estimating system efficiencies…and understanding the complexity of creating ad-hoc systems with minimal organic assets or even improvising solutions on the fly.