My old rope climbing habit died after a 40 foot drop in Phoenix

I used to climb with just a flip line and a lanyard, no friction hitch backup, for like 12 years. Old school guys I learned from in Flagstaff swore that was the fast way, and I never questioned it. Then last March I caught a bad branch snap on a palo verde, dropped those 40 feet before my lanyard even grabbed. My groundie said "you went pale as a ghost, dude" and honestly he was right. Now I run a doubled rope with a Blake's hitch every single climb, even for a quick deadwood trim. It takes me maybe 4 extra minutes to set up, but that's nothing compared to a hospital bill. Has anyone else switched their climbing setup after a close call, or am I the only stubborn one here?

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