The link you provided suggests that the person climbs with lineman’s only, and to attach tether at height, before transitioning to their platform. Also suggests using three points of contact(a critically undervalued way to minimize risk).
Agreed 100%. But this is now a change of topics. The link was provided in response to your question which asked:
"However, in your research, did you come across any data, or studies, or statistics, that led you to say a lineman’s belt would not make your list of equipment? Or are you just going off of the intuition generated when someone reads your two scenarios above?"
The link was provided as one reputable source of info on how to use a LB.
So let's get on to the actual opportunity to save some lives, which you picked up on: Today's fall Arrest Harness product offerings (which was the subject of the Hunter Education link I provided) have some MAJOR gaps:
1. They don't tell you how to get your rope anchored to the tree before you climb it the first time. Why? My guess is because they didn't have a way. I have devised a way. I haven't had a chance to publish that yet though...
2. They don't tell you how to get your rope anchored to the tree when you return to the tree the next time, or next season. I have devised a way. I published it and in that video ( link below) i made it clear that this idea is free for others to use or capitalize on. I don't care if they use it, improve it, sell it, and I don't want anyones money. I want people to stop falling.
3. They don't tell you how to get down safely without calling for rescue. We can't even reach the prusik over our heads in a FAS if we could break it. Great, we survived the fall, now we risk suspension trauma... no thanks. Let's get ourselves down.
As for 3 points of connection to a tree, that's just a best practice to avoid us losing balance in the event of SOME types of failures in conventinal climbing systems. But if we are on zero slack to a secure anchor right over our body... if we have that, we only need that one connection to be safe. The proof is every arborist who "SRT rope walks" up into the canopy every day. There is one anchor. Lateral stability, like swaying and spinning is effectively cosmetic. Gravity operates vertically. The anchor and lack of slack prevents a fall. The details of how we are attached to the rope and how we self rescue is the other necessary piece. I have already addressed that for saddle hunters: 1. ditch the short tether and use a lifeline that gets you to ground. 2. Make sure your system and yourself are capable of rappel even after a loss of footing.
JrbTreeClimbing.com, affiliated with RockNArbor.com