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fall arrest question

dbd1313

New Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
14
Hi first post. Looking to start saddle hunting as climbers are useless on my new hunting ground with mostly large oaks. I'm leaning towards the Treehopper Recon but I'm curious how this or any sling/saddle really performs in a fall? I have used a climbing harness in my climbers for years and those have load bearing straps come through your legs into the belay loop/tie in point. If you were to fall in a sling, what's to stop you from sliding through it and catching under your arms or worst case straight out the bottom? forgive my ignorance if this isn't possible, as I've never used one. Thanks and if there is already a thread on this please point me in that direction.
 
at lot of saddles have leg loops and belt loops...

or if your using something like a sit drag you wear a rc harness underneath it..
 
Just my opinion, but Saddlehunters often tend to gloss over these issues, saying things like “you have to weigh your own personal risk equation”. But hey I spose that’s true. I think when done correctly climber hunting is safer. In both the Recon and the JX3 I wear an RC harness under each.
 
Just my opinion, but Saddlehunters often tend to gloss over these issues, saying things like “you have to weigh your own personal risk equation”. But hey I spose that’s true. I think when done correctly climber hunting is safer. In both the Recon and the JX3 I wear an RC harness under each.

and that's a fair answer. You are able to comfortably use an RC harness under the recon?
 
I don't think any of the manufacturers claim their saddle to be an arrest device (I may be way off) they're to be used as a restraint and if used properly using appropriate climbing techniques you should never put yourself in a need for an arrest.
 
Done correctly there shouldn't be any fall in a saddle. At least not at height and those using rope climbing methods as your saddle is always weighted so all you can do is swing unless your system or tree suffers a catastrophic failure.

Sticks or steps im a bit leary of, which is why I went with rope
 
and that's a fair answer. You are able to comfortably use an RC harness under the recon?

Well I’d def rather not be wearing a harness with it, with the extra potential pressure points around my legs and waist, but I make do. It’s less a problem on the JX3.

My own journey has me incorporating these tweaks, primarily for safety: I have a screamer hooked to the RC harness and this is primary attachment point for any activity that may introduce slack, I one stick climb. Also have gone to rappelling to avoid at least some of the issues associated with descent, and to offer an easy emergency descent if necessary.

Safety is not as straightforward as I initially thought, but there are a lot of good threads in the forum.
 
Saddles aren't fall arrest. Most people are running static setups which you do NOT want to fall on with any slack.

I see your point. Whereas in a stand we might be concerned with a platform failure leading to a dynamic fall, the saddle has constant pressure and no slack to take up. I suppose I'm mainly concerned if I was moving around the tree for a shot and my body was relatively upright and I slipped on the platform or step and the saddle has to take up 100% of my weight in an upright position, am I safe? It's not so much of a dynamic fall arrest as a restraint to keep from falling. I guess I just need to get in one see how it feels. Probably overthinking it.
 
Just my opinion, but Saddlehunters often tend to gloss over these issues, saying things like “you have to weigh your own personal risk equation”. But hey I spose that’s true. I think when done correctly climber hunting is safer. In both the Recon and the JX3 I wear an RC harness under each.
Why? Do you not use the leg straps?
 
I don't own a recon so cant comment on it but my JX3 has metal buckles on the leg straps and metal adjusters.
 
This video has put all my fears to rest

Maybe it should maybe it shouldn’t. The Recon would generally behave like this if you have the two panels fairly well spread across your rear, belt tight and leg loops on. Both panels slid low, loosened belt, maybe leg loops off - not an uncommon setup - is possibly a different story. Fyi. And the real hairy situations aren’t so much slips off a platform, but slips any time you have slack in your system, much more common on ascent / descent.
 
I see your point. Whereas in a stand we might be concerned with a platform failure leading to a dynamic fall, the saddle has constant pressure and no slack to take up. I suppose I'm mainly concerned if I was moving around the tree for a shot and my body was relatively upright and I slipped on the platform or step and the saddle has to take up 100% of my weight in an upright position, am I safe? It's not so much of a dynamic fall arrest as a restraint to keep from falling. I guess I just need to get in one see how it feels. Probably overthinking it.
In that context you are not going to fall out of a reasonably secured commercial saddle.
 
No because if that fella is tethered as he climbs, maybe to an RC harness, and attached to a Treestand Wingman, that stand could turn to dust and he’s probably fine. Slipping 24” down into your climbing sticks is a different story.
I understand your point but you dont have to limit your climbing system to something that sticks out from the side of the tree if you're trying to be the safest possible.
 
I understand your point but you dont have to limit your climbing system to something that sticks out from the side of the tree if you're trying to be the safest possible.

My major points are these, and it took me awhile stumbling around in saddle discussions to realize this, feel free to correct me if somethings not true.

It is easy to be equipped with a certified fall arrest system while on a climbing stand.

It is easy to configure a certified fall arrest system in a saddle if you are wearing an RC harness.

It is difficult (impossible?) to be equipped with a certified fall arrest system in a saddle if you are not wearing an RC harness.
 
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