Brion Toss remembers vividly when that happened and he probably uses that example in his classes to this day.

I have used two halyards for a long time. I do the work with the ATN Topclimber and my wife keeps tension on a second halyard via a winch. I do squeeze both ascenders on the way back down as my wife eases the other halyard. I hope that I'll not squeeze tighter on those ascenders if I start falling!

I have a special aversion to using any powered winch for hoisting, especially an anchor windlass. I know of at least three significant injuries that occurred when using anchor windlasses. By the way, windlasses don't kill people, people kill people. Inadequate familiarity with the equipment or being in a hurry and tired at the end of the day accounted for two of those accidents, both sadly avoidable.

Tom... glad you were on the scene to assist and offer advice.

The last rigger who inspected my mast used a multipart tackle to hoist himself. No backup halyard.