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Recon Safety Question

I

iamcorey

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2018
Messages
2,716
Have a recon. I’ve removed the belt and leg straps. Using a bungee belt to hold it up, so now it’s essentially a belt less sling.

I understand assessing personal risk tolerance, but trying to imagine what the physics would be if I were to slip while climbing. I feel pretty confident that while tethered I’m good.

Any thoughts as to whether adding the stock belt back to the sling would improve the scenario of falling while climbing sticks with the linemans belt?


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Key is knowing its always in proper position in case you fall. Id have a belt/buckle. If I had a recon or did a diy of it, I'd sew a waist belt to top loop.
 
It was hard for me to come to terms with not using anything but since the mods keep it situated I know it’s not going to go anywhere.
 
Not to distract from the original topic, but if there is a video or thread about adding a raptor or similar style belt I’d be interested. I don’t have a sewing machine...
 
I haven't tried it, so this is just a thought experiment.

Supposing no leg straps, if you were to fall when climbing using sticks and just a linemans belt, I would expect the the bungee cord would expand and the sling would open fully when your weight was applied to it.

The stock belt is obviously not elastic. However, would it still hold given the shock force of your weight in a fall? I don't know. The ends of the stock belt that go into the plates are plastic so I wouldn't expect them to not break if subjected to significant force.

There also is no general consensus that a linemans belt alone would necessarily stop you from falling regardless of the saddle.

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sweats said:
I haven't tried it, so this is just a thought experiment.

Supposing no leg straps, if you were to fall when climbing using sticks and just a linemans belt, I would expect the the bungee cord would expand and the sling would open fully when your weight was applied to it.

The stock belt is obviously not elastic. However, would it still hold given the shock force of your weight in a fall? I don't know. The ends of the stock belt that go into the plates are plastic so I wouldn't expect them to not break if subjected to significant force.

There also is no general consensus that a linemans belt alone would necessarily stop you from falling regardless of the saddle.

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Click to expand...

a lineman’s belt is designed to give you two points of contact (your hips), so that you can maintain 3 point climbing while working hands free. It is NOT designed to arrest or restrain a fall. To believe otherwise can kill you.
 
sweats said:
I haven't tried it, so this is just a thought experiment.

Supposing no leg straps, if you were to fall when climbing using sticks and just a linemans belt, I would expect the the bungee cord would expand and the sling would open fully when your weight was applied to it.

The stock belt is obviously not elastic. However, would it still hold given the shock force of your weight in a fall? I don't know. The ends of the stock belt that go into the plates are plastic so I wouldn't expect them to not break if subjected to significant force.

There also is no general consensus that a linemans belt alone would necessarily stop you from falling regardless of the saddle.

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Click to expand...
During a fall, wouldn't all force go to the attachment, meaning the bridge or linemans loops? If that is true, then the Recon belt system (or a bungee) wouldn't really do much. The the bridge, or LB will cinch tight on your lower body. Any risk is that the entire sling could slip up around the torso. Using the leg straps insures the sling stays put.

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kyler1945 said:
a lineman’s belt is designed to give you two points of contact (your hips), so that you can maintain 3 point climbing while working hands free. It is NOT designed to arrest or restrain a fall. To believe otherwise can kill you.
Click to expand...
I agree. I don't/won't climb with just a linemans belt. However, I'm sure plenty of people do.

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No way is it as safe without a belt as it is with a belt... same with the leg straps.

Imagine you are passed out, is it possible for you to fall out of the saddle?

Your waist belt should be tight enough that it cannot go below your hips so that you can't fall out if you are inverted. If you ever climb with a backpack on, inversion is a likely outcome of a fall.

Leg straps prevent your saddle from slipping up under your arms and breaking your ribs in a fall.

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iamcorey said:
Have a recon. I’ve removed the belt and leg straps. Using a bungee belt to hold it up, so now it’s essentially a belt less sling.

I understand assessing personal risk tolerance, but trying to imagine what the physics would be if I were to slip while climbing. I feel pretty confident that while tethered I’m good.

Any thoughts as to whether adding the stock belt back to the sling would improve the scenario of falling while climbing sticks with the linemans belt?


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Click to expand...
I bought a longer piece of webbing and used the tag ends that run through the side plates for my waist belt. Simple easy and still safe.
 

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Allegheny Tom said:
During a fall, wouldn't all force go to the attachment, meaning the bridge or linemans loops? If that is true, then the Recon belt system (or a bungee) wouldn't really do much. The the bridge, or LB will cinch tight on your lower body. Any risk is that the entire sling could slip up around the torso. Using the leg straps insures the sling stays put.

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I'm not sure. There's a lot of variables. I could see force going to the linemans loops, but after the initial fall whether or not you slip out of the sling could vary.

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Not sure but I have never heard of anybody dying from a fall while climbing into their stand while wearing a linemans belt. Usually it is someone not wearing anything at all while climbing or stepping onto a treestand/platform. Ain't saying it hasn't happened, just iv'e never heard of it happening. Might get injured badly but killed?
 
I actually put the stock leg loops back on just to try em bc I was having the same issue and much to my surprise, its actually pretty comfortable. More comfortable than paracord leg loops imo and definitely more stable while climbing rope. Looking back, I dont believe I ever used them before I pulled em off. I also kind of prefer the stock belt but I'm finally getting around to making an amsteel bridge so I'm undecided on which way I'll go. I wont be suprised one bit if I end up using it exactly as it came.

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I looped paracord through the mole loops and added a belt. The belt makes the Recon hang lower while keeping it in place. I use a small bungie as well, but all it does it keep things from sliding.
 
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