safety system for tree stand hunters

[Clay Hayes]

I just thought I'd share this rig I've been using for the past few years.  It's really simple, and I just kinda modified the Summit safety harness design.

You need the right kind of rope, polly climbing rope works great if you rough it up a bit. Dragging a new rope down a gravel road for a few miles will do the trick.

This works great for lock-on and ladder stands.  Attach a long rope at the bottom of the tree or ladder, then above the place where you'll be sitting.  It helps if it's semi tight.  Make a loop with an overhand knot in a separate short piece of rope and wrap it around the tree rope (the one going from the base to where you’ll be sitting) like shown in the drawing.  Now you can clip on at the bottom and slide the knot up as you climb.  When you pull sudden pressure on the knot, it cinches down on the tree rope and stops decent.  You're protected from the moment you leave the ground.  

If this doesn't make any since, let me know, I'll try to clarify.  This is my first attempt at posting an image, hope it works.

 

[Clay Hayes]

[Charlie Lamb]

My friend Chris Kinslow and I were talking about this very system just last night. Thanks for posting it.

             

[Pat B]

Clay, that is a prusset(sp) knot and most safety harnesses come with a short rope that attaches to the tree above you and your harness tether is attached to it with the prusset knot. The longer rope that runs to the ground is a more recent addition and the set can be bought separately but has been a standard piece of equipment for rock climbers.    Pat

[Notso]

Correct spelling is Prussic. I have added this to my tree stands this year. Diameter of the rope for prussic knot should be slightly smaller than the tree rope.

[doeboy]

I have seent that knot tied in different ways. Make sure you practice this knot and and make sure the rope you use can support your weight.not all rope is created equal. Any tree/rock climbng book will teach you how.

[Clay Hayes]

I knew it was a common knot in climbing, and Summit was using it in a safty harness as Pat described above.  I'd never seen it used in the way I started using it a few years ago; with the rope attached from above the stand all the way to the ground.

It solves the problem of having to climb the tree(when most falls occure) then buckle up.

[ChuckC]

Thanks for sharing.
ChuckC

[razorsharptokill]

So the working end of the safety rope goes through its own loop and around the static rope twice? Does that make sense? I think I got it. Good system! That way if a tree astep pulls out or breaks..... your bones won't! Good post!

[BobW]

yep, thats a good one, using them on all of our stands this year.  and can you believe that they are being sold for $35.00 each in the big name catalogs - likely the liability coverage.....

[bowless]

I took the bowhunter safety course this past winter and they used the same setup, purchased from Summit.  Great idea.

[Gatekeeper]

Good post!    

Lowes and Home Depot sell a 5/8” diameter, black polypropylene rope that will work great for the main safety line and a 3/8” diameter, camouflage rope that works for the prusik knot rope.

The 5/8” rope is around $0.50 a foot and the 3/8” rope is $10 or $15 for 75’.

When doing this type of restraint system it is important that the prusik knot rope be smaller then the main safety line. The prusik knot also needs to have three turns of the rope on the top and the bottom like the picture shows. Here is a site the goes into more detail about the knot.

 http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/how-to-make-a-prusik-knot/

Do this for the ones you love.
 

[30coupe]

Hunter Safety Systems sells that setup along with a carabiner. I made my own with rope from Fleet Farm. HSS includes the use of this safety rope in their DVD that comes with the HSS vest.

The prussic knot is also used on the tree attachment ropes that came with my Lone Wolf Alpha stand.

It works amazingly well.

[BobW]

guys, just be careful of the working load rating of the rope you are buying.  The rope will experience a much greater load than your body weight due to acceleration forces of a fall.

[razorsharptokill]

So with the prusic knot being a double line to your harness, is it double the strength of the rated working load for that rope?

[cahaba]

It also stated that the prusik knot will fail if the rope has ice on it. You could buy a rope grabber if in doubt.

[Whip]

I have 15 stands up this year and every one of them have this system installed.  Even my ladder stands!  Yeah, I know, you might think you don't need them to climb a ladder, but people do slip on those too.  In my mind it is good insurance.

As BobW said, make sure to check the rating of the rope.  Rope made specifically for rock climbing is designed to stretch in the event of a fall and will have a much higher safety factor.  Don't trust your life to cheap rope!  If you are going through the trouble to be safe, and I think everyone should, make sure to get good rope!

[hickstick]

Yup...been doing that for a few years.  I use a    klemheist    knot rather than a prusik, I think its easier to move one handed, especially after its grabbed.   I believe the common rule for either knot is the knot rope must be 2 sizes smaller than the static line (ie 11mm static, 9mm knot)  

as said above...buy quality CLIMBING rope....and inspect it every time....squirrels and bird love to chew and peck at the static line.

[BobCo 1965]

Instead of the prussic knot, I prefer an ascender which can be bought at any rock climbing type store. Or for a cheaper but just as efficient alternative, an ascender can be found at most construction tyoe stores. Cost ranges betweem 20 and about $70.

[metsastaja]

If you move the top of the long line above the stand 4 feet or so you can then slide the knot higher allowing you to leave your harness attached while sitting in the stand. I use a climbing carabiner to attach my harness whole on the ground.  
On my set up I have a second prusik knot that I set just below seat level.  In doing so I have a foot hold on the rope itself. In case of self rescue I can relieve the pressure of the harness or lower myself down to the ground using the 2 knots.  

One small word of warning for new users. When coming down and you are about to take the last step off your climbing blocks or ladder make sure the knot is low enough so your feet reach the ground.  Don't even ask just remember I told ya so.

here is a great knot link
 http://www.animatedknots.com/prusik/index.php