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A fall noted on facebook. A comment I saw.

He claims it’s the first time he’s used it. So far I’ve seen a couple other falls related to bridge/tether failure. Both were just improperly tied knots. I wish I knew more about what happened. Whether it was a knot failure or seen eye issue or maybe a diy sewn eye or splice.
That’s one reason I like an adjustable bridge. I know of at least two falls caused by someone tying on a webbing bridge and completely failed at tying the knot. You would think everyone could tie a water knot But that has proven not to be the case.
Not to be nit-picky(and 100% not argumentative--I consider this good discussion!), but I dont consider knot failure to be equated to tether failure. Knot failure is human error. If my memory serves me correctly, I think there has been one documented actual "rope" failure in the last 50 years in the climbing industry that wasn't caused by an external factor like abrasion, etc.

Water knots have been the standard in the climbing industry for joining 2 pieces of 1" tubular NYLON webbing forever... It is NOT suggested for dyneema or spectra webbing...some people probably have zero idea of the differences...
 
Not to be nit-picky(and 100% not argumentative--I consider this good discussion!), but I dont consider knot failure to be equated to tether failure. Knot failure is human error. If my memory serves me correctly, I think there has been one documented actual "rope" failure in the last 50 years in the climbing industry that wasn't caused by an external factor like abrasion, etc.

Water knots have been the standard in the climbing industry for joining 2 pieces of 1" tubular NYLON webbing forever... It is NOT suggested for dyneema or spectra webbing...some people probably have zero idea of the differences...

I have heard that water knots can move if continually loaded and unloaded. Having heard that, I run long tag ends and keep an eye on them. I used to put a stitch in the tag ends for peace of mind, but stopped doing that.
 
Reading this thread, watching kids jump of roofs on social media, and various other examples of the decline in spatial awareness, the limits of the human body, and more informed intuition of what will bend or break you, makes me sad.

I don’t have kids, but I can say without reservation we’re better off uploading our brains into the ether at this point. Thank you to all the folks who have kids and make them play outside without supervision for hours on end. You’re setting the example that new parents today need to follow.

let’s get anti-fragile!
 
I have heard that water knots can move if continually loaded and unloaded. Having heard that, I run long tag ends and keep an eye on them. I used to put a stitch in the tag ends for peace of mind, but stopped doing that.
Sounds like you're doing what you should with any life support--checking it regularly and paying attention :)

Industry standard is also at least 2" of tail end with a barrel backup on both sides.....

Some of my climbing protecting has been slung with 1" tubular and water knots for 20 years at this point--way past the retirement date of nylon product in the climbing world and it is all solid and nothing has ever slipped.
 
One thing to note with ropes and probably other soft goods, they can be susceptible to certain chemicals and vapors. A specific one I remember from my climbing days was battery acid vapor, so it was recommended to not store your rope, harness and other nylon items in the garage or even inside the car for extended amounts of time. Even household cleaners can damage nylon.

I searched and found this article with tests of various chemicals on harnesses/nylon. Worth looks at - https://rockandice.com/climbing-news/climb-safe-the-electric-harness-acid-test/
 
Not to be nit-picky(and 100% not argumentative--I consider this good discussion!), but I dont consider knot failure to be equated to tether failure. Knot failure is human error. If my memory serves me correctly, I think there has been one documented actual "rope" failure in the last 50 years in the climbing industry that wasn't caused by an external factor like abrasion, etc.

Water knots have been the standard in the climbing industry for joining 2 pieces of 1" tubular NYLON webbing forever... It is NOT suggested for dyneema or spectra webbing...some people probably have zero idea of the differences...
I don't think that's nit-picky at all. It's a VERY important distinction.

What concerns me is people seeing a failure and just throwing backup at the situation, without addressing actual points of failure. Sometimes they hit the mark and gain safety, sometimes not.

If you care for your rope, don't hit it with bad chemicals, check for abrasion, change it out as needed, etc. - the odds against it failing are astronomical. If you tie reliable, proven climbing knots that you know how to tie and inspect, inspect them before every use, leave generous tails and a barrel backup the odds against failure are once again astronomical. If you're using friction hitches, make sure you're using suitable heat resistant cord, with sufficient turns around the rope (especially if using a higher-ease-of-use easier-releasing hitch!), and test the hell out of it at ground level. ALWAYS have a suitable stopper knot.

I'm definitely hopeful that we learn what really happened in this case.
 
I think that this thread is putting a burr in a lot of our minds, moving us away from the assumption that "that rope is so strong that it would never break". Especially those of us that run Oplux. I inspected all my ropes last night. On my last climb, I looked down a few times, and I standing on the tag end of my rope and I was smashing it against the top of a Hawk Helium step. I squeezed my rope all the way down looking for inconsistencies due to that and any cuts in the sheath.

My conclusion is that I will try to use ropes that are neither core nor sheath dependent, in other words a rope where either component is strong enough to hold you. Is there a a list of those and is Oplux on it? I tried to loop up the sheath strength of Oplux, but ended up just finding out that in general Technora is really strong.

Barring the use of a rope with a sheath that can hold you on its own, would it be better for our uses to use just a bare rope (no sheath)? That way you can directly inspect the part that is holding you. A sheathed rope with a weak sheath might hide some sins until something happens. Thoughts on that?

Edit: Does anyone know the term for a rope that has a sheath strong enough to hold weight? Non-core dependent?
I was planning to purchase TEUFELBERGER PLATINUM 10.5MM ROPE for rappelling due to the fact that the sheath and the core were connected together and intertwined. This is the only rope I have seen like this. It's a bit difficult to find. It is 10.5mm, so a little larger than I like but it is a very strong and durable rope. I am currently using the Sterling Canyon C-IV, but if I can get this rope, I would like to try it. It seems to be on backorder at most places that carry it.

1602698004941.jpeg
 
I was planning to purchase TEUFELBERGER PLATINUM 10.5MM ROPE for rappelling due to the fact that the sheath and the core were connected together and intertwined. This is the only rope I have seen like this. It's a bit difficult to find. It is 10.5mm, so a little larger than I like but it is a very strong and durable rope. I am currently using the Sterling Canyon C-IV, but if I can get this rope, I would like to try it. It seems to be on backorder at most places that carry it.

View attachment 36891
What are you finding is a negative of the Sterling--Its a quality product?

Have you handled the TEUFELBERGER PLATINUM? characteristics of a rope like that versus a standard core/sheath are quite different ...might want to try to get your hands on a length before purchasing. Tying knots and how it works with gear will feel quite a bit different--you may or may not like it.
 
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Not to be nit-picky(and 100% not argumentative--I consider this good discussion!), but I dont consider knot failure to be equated to tether failure. Knot failure is human error. If my memory serves me correctly, I think there has been one documented actual "rope" failure in the last 50 years in the climbing industry that wasn't caused by an external factor like abrasion, etc.

Water knots have been the standard in the climbing industry for joining 2 pieces of 1" tubular NYLON webbing forever... It is NOT suggested for dyneema or spectra webbing...some people probably have zero idea of the differences...
This is spot on, and also more the point I was trying to make in my previous post.
If he is really claiming that it was the first time he used it, I consider that bad judgement, period. The first time you climb with new fear should not be in a hunting scenario, you have to many things on your mind, and you generally will be climbing higher then ground level. Again, everyone is assuming their own risk assessment but risk should never outweigh the reward. First time climbing with a new life supporting piece of gear at hunting height kinda gives me the Willie's, then again I'm afraid of heights so there's that.
 
What are you finding is a negative of the Sterling--Its a quality product?

Have you handled the TEUFELBERGER PLATINUM? characteristics of a rope like that versus a standard core/sheath are quite different ...might want to try to get your hands on a length before purchasing. Tying knots and how it works with gear will feel quite a bit different--you may or may not like it.
I love the Sterling Canyon and will continue to use it. I have not handled this rope yet, but I have read feedback on Arborist forums and it highly regarded for climbing and handling characteristics. I haven't been able to touch any rope I have purchased.
 
I love the Sterling Canyon and will continue to use it. I have not handled this rope yet, but I have read feedback on Arborist forums and it highly regarded for climbing and handling characteristics. I haven't been able to touch any rope I have purchased.

It seems similar to Oplux. Why did you choose Canyon over it? I haven't handled Canyon.

This look interesting also.

 
I don't mean to digress from this thread, but I am using Sterling Canyon C-IV, not Canyonlux. Canyonlux is basically the same as Oplux. Canyonlux and Oplux are both 8mm ropes. As many others, I rappel with the Madrock Safeguard. To stay in spec with the Safeguard, you need a minimum of 8.9mm or basically 9mm rope. The Sterling Canyon C-IV is 9mm and uses the very abrasion resistant technora sheath. I like this for our use around rough tree bark. It packs well and weighs a fraction more than Oplux.
 
Attention

Fellow saddle hunters. I was hunting on Friday evening in my saddle and my Tethrd broke and I fell 15-18 ft. I was hunting public land and a guy who I talked to before I walked in was able to help me.
Please don’t assume you know what gear I was using because I am a gear head and try different gear all the time. Two thing I would like to point out is 1. Check your gear before you climb and 2. If you’re hunting public land welcome the other party because they just might save you life. I was helicopter flown to Vandy image that I worked on them for 20 yrs. I have a broken thigh bone, a punctured lung, and some other issues. If it’s brown then it’s down.


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I think this is a follow up. I think he's saying his Oplux tether broke? It's a little hard to follow...Screenshot_20201016-182159_Facebook.jpg
 
It sounds like the rope sheared and/or was severed completely below the girth hitch.

Do we know what he was using for his prusik cord?


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Dang. Hope he recovers well. Certainly the stuff of nightmares.

I use oplux as well and will be anxious to learn more. Thanks for sharing this update.
 
I was considering switching my bridge to oplux or resc tech, but I think I will wait to see what details come of this.

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