life lines

fountain · November 04, 2012, 08:02:00 AM

Any of yall make your own life lines? I need some and would like to see if i could get some built correctly for my dad and i. After having a strap break last year and taking a 20' fall i want to be connected from ground to seat now. My dad doesn't wear his hss vest and getting him some life lines set up would make it easier for him i think

ChrisM · November 04, 2012, 08:34:00 AM

I will be watching this. I know how to tie the prusic Knot but the knot at the top is what I don't know.

Whip · November 04, 2012, 09:01:00 AM

Very easy to make. I have ropes on all of my stands, including ladders. For the knot at the top simply tie a loop on one end, wrap around the tree above your head, and run the tail end of the rope through the loop and pull tight. Kind of like a lasso.

My ropes are 30 ft long to give me enough to get above my head, around the tree, and tie off on the bottom. The important thing is to use static rope made for climbing. There is a bug difference, and the right stuff is a little expensive, but well worth it. Don't just go to the hardware store and buy some heavy rope.

REI carries it, as do a number of climbing and/or tree professional websites. Sherrill Ropes is a good one.

Your static line I think should be 10 or 11 mm rope. The prussic is smaller- 6 or 7 mm? Check the websites- there should be information on the correct sizing.

You're smart to be thinking safety!

ChrisM · November 04, 2012, 09:11:00 AM

Whip do you tie off the bottom or leave it loose?

mmisciag · November 04, 2012, 09:34:00 AM

I have a couple. I have gone to REI to buy the rope. I whip or melt all ends. I don't want them fraying. I use static rope as the idea is not to fall but to stop very close to where I am. Dynamic has spring in it. For the loop that creates the noose around the tree I use a double figure eight knot. For the not that slips up and down the rope I use a prusic or another knot that my son showed me. I can't find the name. My stopper knot at the bottom is a overhand knot. If I was to get fancy, I would use a super stopper. The double overhand knot.

Hope this helps.

Martin

NoCams · November 04, 2012, 09:36:00 AM

If you tie off at the bottom it will allow you to slide the prussic up the main rope very easily on your way up. Gives you something to pull against as you ascend.

"Ever try to push a wet noodle ? " Same theory.

Whip, I think you are correct in that the main line is 11mm and the prussics are 7mm. I ran into a pro rock climber last month, he wanted to rappel off my bluff. He said the newer ropes they use are as small as 9.3mm, guess they are making improvements in materials ?

joe ashton · November 04, 2012, 09:52:00 AM

google prusik knots.. you'll get lots of how to's. It is very easy....

fountain · November 04, 2012, 11:19:00 AM

Would some of you make some for me and i pay material and time?

fountain · November 04, 2012, 11:20:00 AM

Would some of you make some for me and i pay material and time?

The Night Stalker · November 04, 2012, 07:56:00 PM

Easy to make, I bought the climbing rope off ****. The prussik is a smaller diameter like Whip said. I like beeline out of all the prussik material I bought.

JAG · November 04, 2012, 09:24:00 PM

You can purchase them from some of the full body harness companies. Don't go down to the box store and just buy any rope. It needs to be rescue rope/mountain climber's rope/arborhist rope. It needs to be designed to do the correct job.
Its much cheaper to purchase the correct product than have to worry about what happens when the cheap stuff fails.
Johnny/JAG