safety system for tree stand hunters

[razorsharptokill]

Originally posted by 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?

[BobCo 1965]

Originally posted by metsastaja:


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  

LOL. Good advise. Don't ask me either.   :D

[BobCo 1965]

Originally posted by metsastaja:


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.

LOL.
Good advise. Don't ask me either.     :D

[metsastaja]

Buying a rope designed for climbing is very important. Balance the relative importance of various features according to the type of climbing activity the rope will be used for. Ropes that are rated at thousands of pounds (but not designed for climbing) may not be adequate. When shopping for a new rope, keep in mind the following demands that climbing has on ropes:

    * dynamic (stretch) characteristics reducing forces on the climber during a fall
    * the importance of diameter, weight and length relative to what the rope will be used for
    * durability from intense abrasion, heavy loads and the elements (sun, rain, etc.)
    * rated at greater than 2000 pounds (humans that are falling can create forces greater than 2000 pounds)


from  http://www.spadout.com/w/climbing-ropes/

[razorsharptokill]

Hmmm I went with a 3/8" staic line and a 1/4" safety line for the prusic. They are both rated at 300#. Maybe I'm a little on the weak side?

[metsastaja]

You are way under.

Razor use what you have as a lift line for your backpack n stuff not a life line.  You will need to spend some bucks but it is a lot cheaper then a hospital run.

[Whip]

I think I remember reading that the recommended strength of a safety rope should be 10 times the weight it is to support?  200# person needs a rope with a 2,000# breaking strength?  A impact of a fall from a stand will put far more stress on a rope than the actual weight of the person.

[Burnsie]

Great idea, but how do you get the rope installed in the first place and remain attatched??  Would hate to fall while installing my safety system.

[SteveB]

I use a climbing belt for setting the sticks and stand - being able to use both hands freely makes a HUGE difference. Then hang the ascender rope.

Steve

[razorsharptokill]

Well got some extra rope now. I'll go to lowes and get some better rope! Thanks guys. One question though... if the prussic line has to be smaller than the static line how do you get the same strength out of a smaller line?  Wouldn't it be a weak link in the system?

[hickstick]

yes, but it wont grab the static well if its the diameter.

[JC]

Originally posted by razorsharptokill:
Well got some extra rope now. I'll go to lowes and get some better rope! Thanks guys. One question though... if the prussic line has to be smaller than the static line how do you get the same strength out of a smaller line?  Wouldn't it be a weak link in the system?

I'd be very suspect of buying the right rope from Lowes; as Joe said, the stretch factor is important for fall arrest. Is your life worth the extra dollars you spend on climbing rope (especially the prices online) to increase your safety factor? You are correct "as far as the weak link", that's why you choose the prusic knot rope first to meet your requirements, then the mainline. Better more than less when it comes to safety.

I'll admit I don't have a "prusic-based" safety system on all my stands for ascent/descent because I often don't keep a stand in the same place for long...but I ALWAYS use that type of system for tie-in as soon as my feet hit the platform. And my ropes and biners are way over-rated, j.i.c. The one time you need it, you won't give the extra money your spent a second thought.

Also set your rope around to the side of the tree so that if you do fall, you won't land on top of your steps...close enough to reach out and grab one but not so that it swings your body into them at the end of the fall.

Hunt safe...if for nothing more than to be able to keep hunting.

[Burnsie]

How do you all stay connected while using a climbing stand.

[razorsharptokill]

Good question. I was wondering that too. I guess the static line would be outside the climber and you would just slide it up or down as you go.

[hickstick]

with a climber you don't need a static line all the way to the ground.   I use a short length of line (one came with my SOTP and I made the other with climbing rope as a spare) and loop it around the tree above your head, climb up to it, loosen it and move it up...etc...same on the way down...  I think the rope is about 8 or 9 feet long or so, once its looped around the circumferance of the tree you end up with a 'tag end' about 4 to 6 feet long....use the same prusik or klemheist knot to attach to the short static line...that way its adjustable (simply slide the knot down the statis to make a long tether, or slide it up to shorten it.)

[DC]

If you need a source for rope, Campmor has power rope by the foot. I used 6mm for the prusik and 9mm for the static line. I also made an adjustable climbing belt using the prusik knot and a length of 9mm rope with caribiners on each end. Attach the pusik loop to one of the caribiners and you can move it along the rope to adjust for the length you need while climbing.

[bowless]

http://www.summitstands.com/productdetail.aspx?id=329141

If in doubt this is a pretty good deal.