Thermo-Flex Official Vaulting Pole Safety Rule
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 1:03 pm
I just got the most interesting thing on eBay...
It's a metal ruler that rolls into a circle. When unrolled and straightened it has the following instructions (please note that this is very old, 1965, and should not actually be used as a guide).
1) Mark the pole by wrapping tape above the vaulters highest handhold. This mark must be visible above his hand during all vaults.
2) Lay the pole across two chairs with the inside edge of the first chair under the handhold mark and the second chair under the bottom of the pole. (There is a drawing illustrating this)
3) Using this side of pole measure from bottom of pole to handhold mark (then you flip the "rule" over for more instructions)
4) Put this side of rule at bottom of pole as indicated and move inside edge of second chair to correct handhold marking on chair positioning scale.
5) Stack books under the pole midway between chairs, leaving exactly 12" or 30cm between underside of pole and top of stack. (there is another drawing illustrating this)
6) Have the vaulter stand or sit on the pole over the books (he may need help in balancing, but his whole weight must be on the pole) (there is another drawing illustrating this, unfortunately it only uses an arrow, not a person to illustrate)
If pole bends down to the top of the stack, it is too weak for safe vaulting at this handhold. The vaulter must either lower his handhold or select a stiffer pole and retest.
It may be necessary to hold chairs during test to prevent slipping or overturning. Do not interfere with free movement of pole ends during test.
Interesting!
It's a metal ruler that rolls into a circle. When unrolled and straightened it has the following instructions (please note that this is very old, 1965, and should not actually be used as a guide).
1) Mark the pole by wrapping tape above the vaulters highest handhold. This mark must be visible above his hand during all vaults.
2) Lay the pole across two chairs with the inside edge of the first chair under the handhold mark and the second chair under the bottom of the pole. (There is a drawing illustrating this)
3) Using this side of pole measure from bottom of pole to handhold mark (then you flip the "rule" over for more instructions)
4) Put this side of rule at bottom of pole as indicated and move inside edge of second chair to correct handhold marking on chair positioning scale.
5) Stack books under the pole midway between chairs, leaving exactly 12" or 30cm between underside of pole and top of stack. (there is another drawing illustrating this)
6) Have the vaulter stand or sit on the pole over the books (he may need help in balancing, but his whole weight must be on the pole) (there is another drawing illustrating this, unfortunately it only uses an arrow, not a person to illustrate)
If pole bends down to the top of the stack, it is too weak for safe vaulting at this handhold. The vaulter must either lower his handhold or select a stiffer pole and retest.
It may be necessary to hold chairs during test to prevent slipping or overturning. Do not interfere with free movement of pole ends during test.
Interesting!