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DIY Tree Squeeze/Choke.

Freepistol said:
I was thinking that,too.
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You could make one like the buckingham tree squeeze and adjust the length to give you enough relief to go over a stick. It seems like at the very least you would stop or slow significantly if you fell.
 
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You could use a prusik knot on the right side and shorten or lengthen the choke as needed.
 
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I messed with this a while back.
The tree squeeze is more beneficial when climbing with spurs.

For 'normal use' (tree bolts etc) You can just use a regular tether but run the tag through a screwlink instead of through the knot as you would in a regular girth hitch.
Makes it less sticky on the tree without being sketchy.
And you can hunt from it with no switchover.
Zoom in on this pic.
The big stopper knot on the left makes for an easy advancing handle.
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Good idea. I just use a traditional lineman's lanyard but keep myself tethered on the way up, just sliding the tether up ahead of where I'm working. I have a carabiner on the end of my tether, so I can unclip it to get around branches.
 
What's the possibilities of someone falling all the way to the ground with just a linemans beltt?Has anyone actually done it,I have not been in a saddle yet so easy on me I'm a newby. I was thinking that I would just use the tether along with the lineman belt just like I did with my climbing stand sliding it up as I go just until I get used to it.
 
Critter said:
What's the possibilities of someone falling all the way to the ground with just a linemans beltt?Has anyone actually done it,I have not been in a saddle yet so easy on me I'm a newby. I was thinking that I would just use the tether along with the lineman belt just like I did with my climbing stand sliding it up as I go just until I get used to it.
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Quick video search will turn up several nasty slides. Here's one of many.
 
Critter said:
What's the possibilities of someone falling all the way to the ground with just a linemans beltt?Has anyone actually done it,I have not been in a saddle yet so easy on me I'm a newby. I was thinking that I would just use the tether along with the lineman belt just like I did with my climbing stand sliding it up as I go just until I get used to it.
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I am actually more worried about falling even a few feet on to the step of a climbing stick! Think of the sharp end of an LW step jabbing into your leg or (gulp) other sensitive area.....

Using LB and tether is a smart, safe play. Just keep as much slack out of the tether as possible.
 
Critter said:
What's the possibilities of someone falling all the way to the ground with just a linemans beltt?Has anyone actually done it,I have not been in a saddle yet so easy on me I'm a newby. I was thinking that I would just use the tether along with the lineman belt just like I did with my climbing stand sliding it up as I go just until I get used to it.
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As a lineman by choice I could tell you don’t rely on your lineman’s belt to stop your fall. Even worst you could end up upside down with your lineman belt around the tree it could bounce you from side to side and you will have no control of your fall. I was trained in the method of what we lineman call free climbing that is climbing with no fall arrest at all till you got to your working point or when you reach that height where you said I better belt off here and hitch hike the rest of the way up. I was totally against the use of a buck squeeze system (it’s like the the tree squeeze),But I have changed my mind ever since I had a very bad cut out on Winter storm work in Arkansas where I end up upside down hanging on a telephone cable that stopped my fall thanks God, I couldn’t get myself back up to position to gaff back into the pole. I had to wait relaxed for another lineman to come to my rescue. It could’ve been very bad for me if I would’ve hit the ground head first. I now use a buck squeeze for all my climbs.

Another note for all you new climbers out there. When you climbing up a tree and you take off your lineman belt to pass it around a branch never ever stand straight up always keep your back side sticking out keeps that 45 degrees of your gaff sticking into tree. Most falls happen when repositioning the lineman belt around obstacles. And always keep one leg locked at all times when going up and down. You don’t have to kick your gaffs really hard either. Let your weight do it for you take comfortable strides up the tree with that gaff in the bark stand up on that gaff and your weight will sink it into tree and repeat take it nice and slow like a sloth till you get Proficient at climbing not a race so take your time, before you know it you will be climbing like a cat lol

Also climb with your back side sticking out not vertically standing up, this helps In if and when you cutout from the tree keeping you back side sticking out helps to gaff at 45 degree to catch your drop and gaff back into the tree and one leg locked at all times ,And if you climb you are bound to cut out it’s going to happen so keep that in mind. You got to learn how to trust you tools it’s your life line. And if you do use a tree squeeze to climb when you cutout gaff out you won’t just be able to cut back in, put both your hands directly in front your chest push off the tree then you could gaff back in so don’t panic relax catch your breath push off and gaff back in. The tree squeeze will help and it works great so trust it. It will stop your fall 100%. Hope this helps some of you new climbers out there stay safe and have fun learning how to climb. Remember trust your tools they will get you up and down safe and sound trust me


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Nutterbuster said:
Quick video search will turn up several nasty slides. Here's one of many.
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This is a perfect example of how not to climb on the way down the tree. Leg locked always back side sticking out let weight of your body drop on your locked leg into tree the weight of your body dropped into your locked leg will sink that gaff very well into tree,take long but comfortable strides on the way down helps stick the gaff into tree. If you baby the steps on the way down you will cut out. That person was lucky he had a long tree tether and he also had a lineman’s belt. I guarantee if he didn’t have that tether on that tree he would’ve had a very bad fall. And as your heard the man say I hate gaffing that’s was one of his down sides. You have to have a positive outlook when your climbing trust your tools they work. Practice low up and down practice slow going up and then coming down. Practice till you feel you could get to 10 ft then practice at 10 ft practice till you feel that you could climb to 20ft and the practice till you feel you could get to 30 and so on. I will tell you a lineman’s belt will not stop your fall by it self it could help but it will fail you. You could climb with a tether and move it as you go that will help a fall. Or better yet get yourself a tree squeeze. Remember most of us are out there hunting by ourselves very long ways out there and if you fall and get in a very awkward position you out there by yourself. You might not be able to reach your phone and hanging upside down for a long period of time is no fun trust me. Climb safe y’all


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The best use of a Linesman's belt is to STEADY yourself.
You lean back against it and it gives you leverage.
For some things like drilling tree bolts, I like using a linesmans belt for stability even with a Tether so I don't fall.
 
How do you use a tree squeeze when there are branches? Seems like a lot of work to get off the tree squeeze system and route it around that branch safely. I guess it depends on the tree type?
 
I use my tether or a second 8mm linesman rope, tie it in above the branch and undo the choke and move it up above the tether, undo the tether and continue on up.
 
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Ok i understand how this works now but for me I will always gonna use bolts or some kind of step so the possibility of me with my set up sliding down to the ground is not happening as far as i can see,i might get stuck with a step but but cant slide down tree far.Remeber I have never been I a saddle yet am I missing something or is this mainly for guys using like the pole climber things
 
Critter said:
Ok i understand how this works now but for me I will always gonna use bolts or some kind of step so the possibility of me with my set up sliding down to the ground is not happening as far as i can see,i might get stuck with a step but but cant slide down tree far.Remeber I have never been I a saddle yet am I missing something or is this mainly for guys using like the pole climber things
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When I’m using my CF bolts to climb I don’t use the choke, just the lineman, if I have to get around a tree limb I’ll use my tether.
When I’m using the tree spurs I’ll add on the choke.
 
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