When the angle from the vertical is different between two slings, how does a dogman calculate the included angle?

When the angle from the vertical is different between two slings, how does a dogman calculate the included angle?

• A. Average the two angles.
• B. Sum the two angles.
• C. Use the smaller angle as the included angle.
• D. Double the larger of the two angles and use as the included angle.

Answer: (D)

When two slings deviate from vertical by different amounts, the space between them is determined mostly by the larger deviation. In field practice, twice that larger tilt is used as the included angle because it reflects the wider spread across the vertical axis: the bigger angle defines the outer boundary, and the other sling sits inside that boundary, so the overall opening is effectively twice the greater tilt. This gives a conservative, quick estimate for sizing hardware and planning the load path. Averaging would underestimate the opening when the angles differ, summing would overestimate relative to how the lines actually span, and using only the smaller angle would clearly miss the full spread.

When two slings deviate from vertical by different amounts, the space between them is determined mostly by the larger deviation. In field practice, twice that larger tilt is used as the included angle because it reflects the wider spread across the vertical axis: the bigger angle defines the outer boundary, and the other sling sits inside that boundary, so the overall opening is effectively twice the greater tilt. This gives a conservative, quick estimate for sizing hardware and planning the load path. Averaging would underestimate the opening when the angles differ, summing would overestimate relative to how the lines actually span, and using only the smaller angle would clearly miss the full spread.