Carrying the hand line on a breakaway hook will help eliminate the hazard of being pulled off the pole by something snagging the hand line. True or False?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only on rainy days
• D. Not recommended

Answer: (A)

Carrying the hand line on a breakaway hook reduces the force that can be transmitted to you if the line snags on something. A breakaway hook is designed to release under snag or over-tension, so when the line catches on an obstacle, the hook can give way and the line won’t pull you off the pole. This safety feature helps prevent being yanked away by a snag, which is why this practice is recommended. It isn’t something that only applies on rainy days, and it’s not something to avoid; it’s a standard safety measure to reduce that specific hazard.