MShunter2022
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2022
- Messages
- 30
New to saddle hunting and I was curious the pros and cons to the Tethrd ropeman vs the prusik knot? Is either one more reliable than the other?
The pros for the Ropeman are it is compact, the cons are that they are expensive compared to a knot, but if you are not 100% sure of your knot tying abilities, the Ropeman is more of a sure thing. as long as you use it on ropes within spec.
I have and use both. For a knot I prefer a Distel hitch or a Swabish over a prussic knot.
Rope man’s are essentially rope grabs. They are intended to hold your position on a rope for ascending. They can be used to descend but it requires two of them and it’s a pain. They are never intended to be used for fall arresting. Hence there should never be any slack in the system or any capability of a dynamic event (any fall over a couple of inches)… I mean our use does sort of line up with their intended use but only if they are constantly kept tight with zero slack. They cannot arrest a fall whereas a true belay device such as a safeguard or gri gri plus, are actually rated for some fall arresting force capability, however not to the extent of a slack system on a static line. There is a big difference in falling with 100’ of dynamic rope, falling with a belayer that jumps before you hit the end of your rope to help slow your fall, and what we as saddle hunters often use them for (here’s looking at you one stick climbers again lol)Good post.
Ropemans were never intended to do what saddle hunters use them for. I believe they are belay devices to be used on the ground as you help a rock climber.
In contrast, friction hitches were designed to do what saddle hunters use them for.
Rope man’s are essentially rope grabs. They are intended to hold your position on a rope for ascending. They can be used to descend but it requires two of them and it’s a pain. They are never intended to be used for fall arresting. Hence there should never be any slack in the system or any capability of a dynamic event (any fall over a couple of inches)… I mean our use does sort of line up with their intended use but only if they are constantly kept tight with zero slack. They cannot arrest a fall whereas a true belay device such as a safeguard or gri gri plus, are actually rated for some fall arresting force capability, however not to the extent of a slack system on a static line. There is a big difference in falling with 100’ of dynamic rope, falling with a belayer that jumps before you hit the end of your rope to help slow your fall, and what we as saddle hunters often use them for (here’s looking at you one stick climbers again lol)
People constantly talk about what ifs when it comes to ropemans, and yet I have never on this forum nor any other for that matter seen them pop up in reality. I won't harp on it much as I understand it's our lives we're talking and it's fine to take whatever precautions you want. But the product is proven and beyond reliable.
I was one of those who had an oh crap moment when I went to release the RM on a tether while on a platform and ended up at my stopper knot. I guess I didn't realize I was still leaning and under tension and when it released I about soiled myself. Always use a stopper knot! I will say this happened during my first year saddle hunting, and it definitely was user error. That's why it's so important to practice anything you decide to use at ground level until it's a skill (second nature/muscle memory, don't have to think about it hardly).
I started with RM, went to Kong Duck because it was more in spec for 8mm rope. The Kong is a little quieter IMO. Now I hunt off a MR Safeguard or a Kong but I'll switching things more and more toward hitches as I get more confident with tying knots and hitches.
One of the most recent saddle hunting injury/deaths being investigated involves a slip where no stopper knot was in place. No matter what you use on a tether always use a stopper knot and always check to verify that it’s tied and securely in place with a little tail just in case…. I also know a guy who was using a ropeman and released it while under load. He slid 3.5’ out and the stopper knot is all that kept him attached as wellI was one of those who had an oh crap moment when I went to release the RM on a tether while on a platform and ended up at my stopper knot. I guess I didn't realize I was still leaning and under tension and when it released I about soiled myself. Always use a stopper knot! I will say this happened during my first year saddle hunting, and it definitely was user error. That's why it's so important to practice anything you decide to use at ground level until it's a skill (second nature/muscle memory, don't have to think about it hardly).
I started with RM, went to Kong Duck because it was more in spec for 8mm rope. The Kong is a little quieter IMO. Now I hunt off a MR Safeguard or a Kong but I'll switching things more and more toward hitches as I get more confident with tying knots and hitches.
did you start a thread here about your incident? if so, it might be the one i reference, if not...add another shrimp to the barbie