Down Rigging Debriefing/Training Class (Chalk Talk)
Sending the Point
Checking the Point - Watching for Fouls
Adjusting the Point
Attaching Load to Motor
Receiving the Point
Detaching the Motor from the Load
Running the Motors (In Phase, Out of Phase)
Disassembling and Packing the Hardware -
Building Steel
Steel Building: Building Bridles, Dead Hangs, Splits, Chokes, Wraps
Checking for Fouled Gear - Your first and foremost job as a downrigger is checking for and preventing fouled points that could create a Shock Load once the point is hung.
Terminology: Shackles, Deck Chain, Color of Steel, Stingers. (PRSS)
Identifying Points- Motor Designation
Motor Notes
Other Identifiers
Identifying Suspension Marks - Dead Hang
Bridles
Chokes
Wraps or Splits
Show Breakdown
Load Out
Make sure the motors go into the boxes correctly - and that the chain isn't buried when you run out the excess chain from the chain bag. Make sure the hook and bag are in appropriate spots inside the road case.
When running motors out - always watch to make sure the chains don't run themselves completely out of the body of the motor. Also watching for if the motor is running "out of phase" and watching to make sure the links don't bind up and get twisted in the motor body.
Communication Specs and Safety Awareness for Load Out
Meet with the Tour Rigger - Make sure you and your team send in the points he wants sent in first. Usually it's just whatever is ready first.
Always always always on both the In and the Out make sure you are as fast and efficient as possible but with in the spectrum of feeling 100% safe at all times.
Load In
Safety Awareness
Build your Points and Steel
Make sure there isn't a difference in the Audio, Lighting, and Video Motors - if there is have them separated and identified.
Measure out and Mark Floor (Local Head Rigger and Tour)
Your Head Rigger will meet with the Tour Rigger -They then together will get specs for Rigging Plot and address the potential problem areas in your venue.
Specs include: Motor Chain Length, What the Tour needs their hook height to be.
Down Rigging
Knowing your Knots - if you don't know your main two knots (Bowline and Clove Hitch) - When and where to use them - Where to tie in etc - You should NOT be trying to sign up for a Down Rigging call.
Expectations - Awareness, Communication, Proper Building, There is no room for error in rigging.
Leave your Ego and personal issues at the Door.
Admit when you don't know something!
Down Rigging Etiquette - Safety Awareness, What you are responsible for, Where to tie in. Also CONFIDENCE - OWN YOUR SPACE!
Chances are if you are being considered for a down rigging call you have exemplified traits such as keen awareness, safety communication, fine attention to detail, as well as teamwork skills.
