With Tippits recent thread on using the belay device to lower oneself in the event of a fall from a treestand I have changed my setup. It has not been tested as of yet but will thoroughly be done so before using for real.

I tried the belay/rope system with the harness I had been using for several years. It was a little difficult getting the belay adjusted to where it was easily reachable behind my neck. After reading that a couple of fellows were using the climbing harnesses with the attachment point in front, I decided that was the way I wanted to try.

Now I admit I am a little on the "rotund" side, I soon found out most all climbing harnesses are built for sissies      . After searching for some time I found a harness that would reach around my gut. It is made by Edelweiss and will extend to a 47 inch waist. While not admitting just how big mine is, I will say it is more than enough. The best part it was on sale for only $30.    


 

I don't see the need for a belay system if you hook you harness up right.  I have it up high so I can barely sit down so if I fall out of the stand it should be no higher then my knees.

Bill Ideally, you want a dorsal d-ring which has been tested in both a feet first fall and head first fall. The danger in the sub-sternum setups harnesses is they allow (with little effort) the impact to break the body in two, almost "jackknife" if you will. Is the web d-ring in front or back? Thanks
Andrew

Terry,

You'd be right in most cases, but I know of three instances just this season where a stand broke free of the tree, and was no longer there to crawl back up on...  Then, if you don't have a way of safely reaching the ground, you are in trouble!

We are protecting ourselves from low-percentage but high-danger situations with our fall restraint systems.

You are covering a LOT of the danger with the way you are using your system. For a variety of reasons (health, age, previous experiences, etc), some are trying to cover a few more bases.  That's the idea behind being prepared with a belay system, CDS safety harness, or something of that nature.

Bill- if Jeanne wasn't such a good cook, it wouldn't be so hard to find "suitable" equipment!       Congrats on the bargain you tracked down!

QuoteOriginally posted by MountainTool21:
Bill Ideally, you want a dorsal d-ring which has been tested in both a feet first fall and head first fall. The danger in the sub-sternum setups harnesses is they allow (with little effort) the impact to break the body in two, almost "jackknife" if you will. Is the web d-ring in front or back? Thanks
Andrew

This is true, I use a similar harness for work, to sit in, not really designed for a fall, use a full body harness, thats what they are designed for!