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PSA: How I fell from 30ft and still celebrated the 4th!

pesqimon

pesqimon

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2018
Messages
2,325
Location
Massachusetts
Yesterday I was practicing climbing with and adjusting the LW Hand Climber.

When I reached hunting height, I went to attach a OCB strap for additional stability and behind-the-tree steps. As I let the slack out of the Kong I somehow lost footing on the platform and fell to the end of my tether. The Kong did not catch me, I only stopped when I hit the stopper knot. My thought is they are not designed to catch you in a fall, but also the loosening doohickie may have gotten tangled in my hand, keeping it open.

The climber also fell down and now that I think about it I am lucky it didn't smack me in the face. Somehow it ended up just in reach so I was able to use it to self rescue. By the way, the paracord connecting the platform to my belay loop snapped.

My lesson is that the Kong needs to be backed up by a prusik. Also, you must have a step aider for self rescuing and other maneuvers at height.

I got really lucky, so after I climbed down it was definitely time to pack it up and go enjoy the holiday.

Stay safe friends.
 
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That is my biggest fear with mechanical devises. I, switched over to using a Shizll rope slider. You use a a prusik like you do with a pulley, but it does not damage your rope.


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Last edited:
bigjoe said:
That is my biggest fear with mechanical devises. I, switched over to using a Shizll rope slider. You use a a prusik like you do with a pulley, but it does not damage your rope.


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The Shizll is a neat device. I have DIY version on my linesman. For my tether and climbing with the hand climber, not sure how convenient it would be. On the other hand, it is clear I wouldn't have fallen very far with the shizll/prusik combo.
 
Wow. Glad to hear how that worked out, could have been much worse.

How did you recover exactly?
 
Well in this case, the hand climber ended up within reach so I just grabbed it and set it up so I could step up on it. Dumb luck.

Otherwise I might have had to improvise an aider out of my lineman's belt
 
Wow, glad you're ok and thanks for sharing your experience. The off-label uses of ascenders has always concerned me. I continue to use one as my tether, but especially running a platform and introducing slack, I am backing it up with a blake's hitch as well.
 
BassBoysLLP said:
Glad you are ok. Thank you for sharing as well.

I personally don't use a stopper knot on the end if my tether, but another loop. That loops clips into my bridge carabiner. Something to consider as well.

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I've heard of this, what do you suppose are the advantages over a stopper knot?
 
Out of curiousity, what was the diameter of your tether?

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pesqimon said:
I've heard of this, what do you suppose are the advantages over a stopper knot?
Click to expand...
I personally like the rope management. Also, I don't like the idea of loading a knot in the event it's needed. The rope is already weakened by the knot itself.

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BassBoysLLP said:
Out of curiousity, what was the diameter of your tether?

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I thought it was 8mm but I bought it so long ago I can’t remember exactly. It could be 10mm. It’s still in good condition, no doubt.

One of the main reasons I think it is 8mm, is that if it were 9+, my grigri2 would grab it better (i think)
 
pesqimon said:
I thought it was 8mm but I bought it so long ago I can’t remember exactly. It could be 10mm. It’s still in good condition, no doubt.

One of the main reasons I think it is 8mm, is that if it were 9+, my grigri2 would grab it better (i think)
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I'm confused. Did you fall on a GriGri or a Kong Duck? The GriGri doesn't catch falls

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I am using a Kong Duck. I just mentioned the GriGri because I have found that it doesn’t grip this rope well. I used to rappel a lot and used the grigri on thicker rope. But the more I think about it the more I believe the tether is actually 10mm and I am just confused.

It’s going to be moot soon because I am going to purchase some new ropes with sewn/spliced eyes.
 
BassBoysLLP said:
Glad you are ok. Thank you for sharing as well.

I personally don't use a stopper knot on the end if my tether, but another loop. That loops clips into my bridge carabiner. Something to consider as well.

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Click to expand...

Good idea


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I am so glad I read the"dad" thread first. I almost feel off the throne when I read this... Glad this didn't happen in front of the FIL!:fearscream:

If my daughter had a boyfriend do that....
I'm still laughing too hard, dude!

SO GLAD YOU ARE OK!
 
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