Rock climbing harness for hunters

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

This video isn’t all encompassing by any means, and the drops being tested are more severe than what we would likely see (they’re using a 6ft lanyard), but the comparison from one harness to another is decent. The last test they show a full body harness with vs without an arrestor.

This is another great video

I posted that second video last year some time I believe it was ear marked for people wondering how and why saddles and RCH weren’t safe for fall arrest. I am glad others are referencing it

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

Hold on guys, what the heck. I wasn't making a statement that a RCH is safer than a full body harness nor would I have any data on it because it was not my position. Is that how I was interpreted or is that from the video?

I was simply saying I personally feel my use of rock harness is safe. By keeping my fall factor low I am okay with my choice of dynamic rope. If I was pushing factor 1 falls and beyond I wouldn't be doing that. And I certainly would argue and stand by that if I'm hanging from a fall in the woods all alone I sure as heck want that to be in a RCH because I feel my chances of survival at that point are much greater than if I'm hanging in a FBH.

I see how you are thinking, just like in the video. It is stated the RCH won’t let you go inverted or hurt your back because the legs were catching the weight. If you are facing the tree and underneath your attachment method, that is true. It is also true of most saddles IF used properly. However sitting down facing away from the tree with a lower level tether and slack, if the stand cut out or you fell face forward, it’s going to snap you around to face the tree very violently and most of that will be felt on the back not the legs otherwise you’d end up completely upside down in a a harness that doesn’t cinch the hips the way a saddle does, thus increasing your chances of being thrown out of it while inverted. These are of course hypotheticals but they have also occurred in real life otherwise the need for warning against it wouldn’t be necessary. Even the rebound would be difficult from a RCH if you were whip lashed or injured your back and unable to self recover. So I don’t think it would be any safer in that instance either. That’s all I was mentioning. I am glad you clarified your stance though because others could interpret this post as making it safe because XYZ does it. I hope my statement didn’t come across as an attack, I was strictly saying the data is actually in opposition.

 

[roosterstraw]

The second video they were using a screamer type, I’m not sure in the first video. I’m not familiar with the HSS system you’re referring to, maybe link it?

I agree if you take every precaution and use the best gear industry wide that available out there you’ll be way more noisy, heavy, and cumbersome then you’d like. There is a line between safety and ease of use that you have to determine for yourself. RCH is fairly light, easy to use, and not very cumbersome; however, there are risks when considering when and how you’ll be using one.

Hunter Safety System, all of their harnesses are like that. The muddy ambush is the only harness that I know of that comes with an srs attached to it. There could be more but I’m not aware of them.

 

[gcr0003]

Why do standard treestand harnesses not come with suspension trauma straps? Considering most of us hunt a good ways away from people suspension trauma is a huge risk. What this means is if you have an accident you’ll likely be hanging there for a long time if you can’t get to your phone. Maybe having a simple and easily deployable suspension trauma strap to stand on is something you tree stand guys should consider. It might not get you out of the tree but it would sure beat losing your legs. Saddle hunters having access to a 2tc system or a rappel line is crucial too.

 

[BuffaloBill]

Why do standard treestand harnesses not come with suspension trauma straps? Considering most of us hunt a good ways away from people suspension trauma is a huge risk. What this means is if you have an accident you’ll likely be hanging there for a long time if you can’t get to your phone. Maybe having a simple and easily deployable suspension trauma strap to stand on is something you tree stand guys should consider. It might not get you out of the tree but it would sure beat losing your legs. Saddle hunters having access to a 2tc system or a rappel line is crucial too.

My Muddy harness came with a suspension strap. Another option is the Treestand Wingman descender that will slowly lower you to the ground if you fall.

 

[roosterstraw]

Why do standard treestand harnesses not come with suspension trauma straps? Considering most of us hunt a good ways away from people suspension trauma is a huge risk. What this means is if you have an accident you’ll likely be hanging there for a long time if you can’t get to your phone. Maybe having a simple and easily deployable suspension trauma strap to stand on is something you tree stand guys should consider. It might not get you out of the tree but it would sure beat losing your legs. Saddle hunters having access to a 2tc system or a rappel line is crucial too.

they do come with them, they are just not attached. They expect you to carry them in your pocket I guess then deploy it when you’re hanging from a tree? I guess you could attach it once you get to the tree then just take it off again when you walk out. I can already see it getting snagged on every stick climbing up.

 

[gcr0003]

they do come with them, they are just not attached. They expect you to carry them in your pocket I guess then deploy it when you’re hanging from a tree? I guess you could attach it once you get to the tree then just take it off again when you walk out. I can already see it getting snagged on every stick climbing up.

Yea you would deploy it once you fall. It would need to be attached to the harness somewhere. I’ve owned several harnesses new and never saw a suspension strap. We may be talking about separate things.

 

[Plebe]

My Muddy harness came with a suspension strap. Another option is the Treestand Wingman descender that will slowly lower you to the ground if you fall.

If I wasn't so comfortable in a saddle, the Treestand Wingman would make a lot of sense. I might get one for my Dad for Father's day. Thanks for reminding me of them.

 

[gcr0003]

If I wasn't so comfortable in a saddle, the Treestand Wingman would make a lot of sense. I might get one for my Dad for Father's day. Thanks for reminding me of them.

Downside to the wingman is that you have that 30-40 ft of webbing blowing in the wind though right?

 

[Plebe]

Downside to the wingman is that you have that 30-40 ft of webbing blowing in the wind though right?

I hadn't noticed that.

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

Why do standard treestand harnesses not come with suspension trauma straps? Considering most of us hunt a good ways away from people suspension trauma is a huge risk. What this means is if you have an accident you’ll likely be hanging there for a long time if you can’t get to your phone. Maybe having a simple and easily deployable suspension trauma strap to stand on is something you tree stand guys should consider. It might not get you out of the tree but it would sure beat losing your legs. Saddle hunters having access to a 2tc system or a rappel line is crucial too.

Every fall arrest harness comes with a suspension relief strap (or it is supposed to). Even the cheap ones that came with my cheap academy metal stands came with them when I had some of them. It’s usually not attached to the harness it’s usually in the bag with the instruction manual ect…

 

[Fairchild#17]

I haven't read all of this thread, but I bought a $50 RC harness 10 years ago and added a tubular webbing Lineman Loop. I'm just not seeing these things as being revolutionary......the idea has been around a while.
They are fine to lean in, but excruciating to sit in for more that 30 seconds. There is no reason for me to go backwards to an RC harness when I own a Cruzr xc.
Also, the way he uses the tether in the video is worthless. Way too much slack to even offer support to lean into to steady for a shot, and non-adjustable on the fly with a fixed knot. And falling on that much slack is not just going to give you a little boo boo, it could cause life threatening injuries. Nope, no good for me.

 

[BTaylor]

If I wasn't so comfortable in a saddle, the Treestand Wingman would make a lot of sense. I might get one for my Dad for Father's day. Thanks for reminding me of them.

If he has a lineman's rope, it might be a good idea to remind him it can be used for suspension relief and to always have it accessible, not stored in a pack that might not be reachable after a fall. Maybe show him how to tie a quick foot loop. Even just carrying an amsteel daisy chain with a climbing carabiner in a cargo pocket is not much inconvenience in the event things go sideways.

 

[swampdonkey]

Always love all the fall arrest discussions. Guys, if you’re dropping 4 feet if your platform breaks or you step off it you’re doing it wrong!

Keep your tether tight and use whatever you like be it a saddle, RCH, or full body safety harness and you’re good to go. If your stand were to break and you were using a saddle as your fall restraint you’d do nothing but fall against the tree if your tether were tight as it should be.

I had the top portion of a climber break once and was using my saddle, it’s seriously no biggie and i even had the leg loops cut off. I had zero vertical fall i just pivoted into the tree then stepped onto the bottom half of the platform and hunted. I had a scrape or two.

Suspension trauma is when you’re left hanging. Again, if you fall and you can’t reach your platform or top step you’re doing it wrong. Tight tether is all you need to worry about for hunting purposes you’re not falling 4 ft off a piece of angle iron. Well, at least you shouldn’t be. Keep your tether tight, the rest is just personal preference.

 

[KYhunter66]

Just received my Tactisaddle harness! Don't know how much it weighs but it's lighter then my Tactisaddle was and lighter than my black Diamond rock harness. Really nice harness.

 

[bigmike23]

Just received my Tactisaddle harness! Don't know how much it weights but it's lighter then my Tactisaddle was and lighter than my black Diamond rock harness. Really nice harness.

Which model did you go with, fixed, pass through, or cobra buckle style?

 

[KYhunter66]

Which model did you go with, fixed, pass through, or cobra buckle style?

Same one Jason from tbwpcast was using in the video green with out buckles.

 

[tracker12]

Ive been using a Petzel RCH with LB loops for years. I did have the LB loops added by a qualified sewer. I girth hitch a Beal Dynaclip to my RCH and the other end to my Tether.

 

[bigmike23]

Well I got the harness almost two months after ordering it, and initial impressions after playing with it all day are.. I don't like it at all lol.
First off and by far the most annoying, the buckles are impossible to adjust one hand. Even two hands it's an extremely tedious and annoying process. You have to feed it through the buckle a little bit at a time, then tighten. Even to let slack out you cannot pull up on the buckle to release pressure to let it slide out. This may get better with break in but I doubt it.
Second and also a huge issue for me, is it's very uncomfortable to use with a lineman's belt. That waist strap really digs in when leaning back into it.
Despite my name I'm not a big guy at all. 6ft 165 and no matter where I position the waist it's painful.
Saddles and even my HSS harness disperse this pressure so much better.
Third, I tried adjusting it a bunch of different ways with the leg straps, but I cant stand the feeling of the straps around my legs. The black tubing in the back that prevents the straps from falling down you legs gives you a wedgie when sitting down. But if you loosen it too much when you go to stand up the straps fall down your legs.
4th, I tried sitting down into it harnessed in to see where the pressure would be in the event of a fall. If I was going to use this I better have some of the little guys frozen cause holy God youll never have children in the event of a fall with this thing. Those straps go right for the boys along with serious waist pressure.
A positive is it packs down really nice and it certainly different feeling not having shoulder straps to deal with.
I'll hunt with it a couple times this year but I'm not optimistic

 

[John 35]

Well I got the harness almost two months after ordering it, and initial impressions after playing with it all day are.. I don't like it at all lol.
First off and by far the most annoying, the buckles are impossible to adjust one hand. Even two hands it's an extremely tedious and annoying process. You have to feed it through the buckle a little bit at a time, then tighten. Even to let slack out you cannot pull up on the buckle to release pressure to let it slide out. This may get better with break in but I doubt it.
Second and also a huge issue for me, is it's very uncomfortable to use with a lineman's belt. That waist strap really digs in when leaning back into it.
Despite my name I'm not a big guy at all. 6ft 165 and no matter where I position the waist it's painful.
Saddles and even my HSS harness disperse this pressure so much better.
Third, I tried adjusting it a bunch of different ways with the leg straps, but I cant stand the feeling of the straps around my legs. The black tubing in the back that prevents the straps from falling down you legs gives you a wedgie when sitting down. But if you loosen it too much when you go to stand up the straps fall down your legs.
4th, I tried sitting down into it harnessed in to see where the pressure would be in the event of a fall. If I was going to use this I better have some of the little guys frozen cause holy God youll never have children in the event of a fall with this thing. Those straps go right for the boys along with serious waist pressure.
A positive is it packs down really nice and it certainly different feeling not having shoulder straps to deal with.
I'll hunt with it a couple times this year but I'm not optimistic View attachment 68806View attachment 68807

Did I miss the part why you don’t just wear a saddle?