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Is a prussic knot for a tree tether safe?

C

caddis75

Active Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2020
Messages
112
Hey all,

I am almost all set to try my first saddle set up: trophy line lineman's rope and tether, a DIY kestrel, three API sticks (two with aiders), and a ROS (not here yet). The TL tether came with one prussic (black). I tested this out and I was looking for points of failure: the tether, the prussic, the carabiner, the bridge (green), the bridge loops, or somewhere else on the saddle. I was staring at my prussic thinking, man that looks small. It is the only thing connecting me to the tree. Is this safe? I have an extra prussic (yellow) that I was thinking of using as a backup. I set this up in my basement for the pic, sorry about the mess.

The image was too big, so I made an Imgur link:
https://imgur.com/a/GPMNpco

Thanks for your help.
 
I highly recommend untieing the Prussik, put two poachers loops on each end, and tie up a Distel Hitch.
It is so much easier to adjust under load than a prusik and it seems to grip just as good.
I can take a picture of what I did when I get home if you like.
I actually have the exact same Tree Tether from Trophyline.
 
cartman said:
I highly recommend untieing the Prussik, put two poachers loops on each end, and tie up a Distel Hitch.
It is so much easier to adjust under load than a prusik and it seems to grip just as good.
I can take a picture of what I did when I get home if you like.
I actually have the exact same Tree Tether from Trophyline.
Click to expand...
Thank you, no rush.
 
caddis75 said:
Thanks. Where on my tether line? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Not something you'd leave pretied (at least I don't), but grab a bight of the rope below your Prussik, form the 8 on a bight (leaving a bit of slack for adjustment), then clip it into your carabiner. It'll act a bit as a stopper should your Prussik slip (it shouldn't but still), and if your Prussik is complete compromised, you still are tied into the tether.
 
doriangable said:
I agree with them going with a different hitch then the Prusik. The Prusik will work but there’s better friction hitches out there IMO.
Click to expand...
They have their place. I like using a Prusik on my adjustable bridge. I really don't adjust my bridge that often. I adjust my tether much more and the Distel hitch seems to not get completely locked up where I have to take all the weight off of it to adjust it like the Prusik.
I also use a prusik on my linesman belt.
 
Brocky said:
The hitch you show isn’t a Distel, I think you added a diagonal in the back that the Distel doesn’t have. I don’t immediately recognize it, will check my collection. So maybe you have come up with a new one.
Click to expand...
I may have wrapped it wrong or maybe it looks different because it is not neatly bunched up like on Animated Knots.
Very possible I added an additional cross where I shouldn't have.
Thanks for pointing that out. I am going to review it again.
 
Also, I have a prussic on my lineman's belt. Same company, TL. Is this ok, or should I look at an ascender?
 
Brocky said:
Distel and Cartman side by side.
View attachment 38066
Click to expand...
Yeah I see what I did. Its almost identical to a Distel Hitch but I have the loop that goes from the top of the coil to the bottom with 1 extra twist.
I tested it again and it is performing great! However I recommend that everyone use the proper method for tying a Distel Hitch.
I am in no way qualified to be inventing friction knots and one created from a mistake should not be trusted.
 
cartman said:
I am still using a prussik on my linesman rope.
I would just add a tender to make 1 handed adjustments easy.
Click to expand...
TY! Can I use 3mm utility cord for a tender? If so what would be a good knot to join the two ends of it? That's all the extra rope I have right now.
 
Last edited:
cartman said:
Yeah I see what I did. Its almost identical to a Distel Hitch but I have the loop that goes from the top of the coil to the bottom with 1 extra twist.
I tested it again and it is performing great! However I recommend that everyone use the proper method for tying a Distel Hitch.
I am in no way qualified to be inventing friction knots and one created from a mistake should not be trusted.
Click to expand...
After posting the comparison picture, I came to the same conclusion, being fairly simple and lacking any sharp bends, it seems to be reliable as far as grabbing. Pretty sure it is new, I called it the cartman, but you should be the one to name it.
 
caddis75 said:
TY! Can I use 3mm utility cord for a tender? If so what would be a good knot to join the two ends of it? That's all the extra rope I have right now.
Click to expand...
There is a lot of ways to do a diy tender.
The tender is not load bearing so you can kinda use whatever you want.
I am using some paracord with two loops in it.

I am planning on ordering a couple of these.
genesis3dprinting.com

Figure Aider

Introducing Figure Aiders: the product that started it all. These 3D-printed tenders enable you to effortlessly adjust the friction hitches on your tether and lineman's rope with just one hand. Crafted to be non-weight bearing, they ensure safety and reliability in your setup. There are two...
genesis3dprinting.com
 
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