Building Your Rigging Quiver

We all want the best—a stellar life—but what does “best” even mean? Marriage, kids, friends, jobs, cars, houses… those are the easy answers. But peel back the layers, and you’ll see most of us are struggling to define what “best” truly looks like for our own lives.

Here’s the truth: we don’t always have the tools or understanding to achieve what we want. And I know that statement just hit a nerve for some of you. That’s okay.

Let me explain why this matters—especially for those of us in the rigging and rescue world.

The 80/20 Reality

Of the thousands of people who might start reading this, only 20% will finish. That’s not a knock against anyone—it’s just reality. In life, about 20% of people build, produce, and design the solutions that 80% of us rely on.

What does this mean for you? It means most of us are, to some degree, unprepared for the challenges we face. Whether it’s rigging a complex rescue system or navigating life’s curveballs, the gap lies in one thing:

How well do we combine wisdom, understanding, and knowledge?

Solving the Problem: The Rigging Quiver

You don’t need a hundred tools to solve problems—you need the right tools and the ability to use them effectively. Think of this as building your rigging quiver.

There are three core elements every system (or life challenge) requires:

1. Wisdom: Vision and sound judgment to see the big picture.
2. Understanding: Comprehending the relationships and variables at play.
3. Knowledge: Applying facts, experience, and study to execute the plan.

Let’s break this down into rescue rigging—because that’s where we live and breathe.

The Three Phases of Rigging

1. The Design Phase (Wisdom)
   Every system starts with a vision. Sound judgment, discernment, and foresight are the foundation. Before you rig, you must ask:
   • What problem am I solving?
   • What forces and factors will I encounter?
2. The Framework Phase (Understanding)
   This is where you lay out the system, considering the environment, components, and forces at play. Understanding is about seeing the relationships between anchor points, vectors, and load paths.
   • Are the components balanced and aligned?
   • Is the system sound for the given conditions?
3. The Execution Phase (Knowledge)
   Finally, the system is run. This is where experience, study, and observation pay off. Every decision now comes down to applied knowledge.
   • Is the system stable under load?
   • Can it handle dynamic forces safely?

Why It Matters: The Math of Rigging

Here’s the reality: Two or more vectors added together = Applied Force = Resultant.

In rigging, your resultant is the single vector (or outcome) that sums up everything you’ve put into the system. If you screw up the knowledge—if you don’t apply the right experience, study, or facts—your resultant is flawed. And a flawed resultant means system instability, inefficiency, or worse.

Here’s the math:

• Applied Knowledge = Applied Force
• Applied Force = Resultant

If you miss the relationships (understanding) or don’t start with the right vision (wisdom), the entire system fails.

Rigging is math you can feel. It’s the perfect blend of judgment, comprehension, and action. When done right, it works seamlessly. When done wrong, the consequences multiply exponentially.

Build Your Quiver: Tools and Mentality

Rigging isn’t just about knots, pulleys, or anchors. It’s about how you think—how you solve problems, anticipate challenges, and apply what you know. The rigging quiver you build today will determine your success tomorrow.

• Wisdom gives you the big-picture vision.
• Understanding aligns the relationships.
• Knowledge makes it all work under load.

The same applies to life. Whether you’re solving rigging problems or tackling personal challenges, these three elements are non-negotiable.

Final Thoughts

In rigging, as in life, systems succeed when we combine wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, efficiency, and solving problems with precision.

So here’s the challenge:

• Build your quiver.
• Sharpen your skills.
• Trust the process.

Because when you combine vision, understanding, and applied knowledge, you don’t just solve problems—you create solutions that work.

Peace on your days.

— Lance