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Is a rescue harness viable for climbing?

Original Post
Peter Trigg · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 0

I want to get my friend started with climbing, and he has a Riggers Harness.

cmcrescue.com/equipment/rig…

If anything it is overkill for top roping, but i am not sure what the best tie in would be.

Would a Figure 8 followthrough around the lower front d ring be ok?

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35

The Petzl ones have a detachable chest portion so you can wear it like a sit harness only. It doesn't look like that one does that.

It'll work.

Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349

Such useful information.

"The Petzl ones have a detachable chest portion so you can wear it like a sit harness only. It doesn't look like that one does that."...

;-)

EDITED:

"totally overkill, but it will work"

^^^

What's the matter with that dude actually answering the question?

Noah J · · Desert, NM · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 446

If bulk is a concern due to a long approach or something there's nothing wrong with a swiss seat, especially for following or top roping easy stuff.

Chuck Parks · · Atlanta, GA · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 2,190

Tying the rope directly into a skinny D-ring like that will probably pinch your rope a bit. I don't think a toprope fall is going to generate enough force for it to be a safety issue, but it might accelerate wear on your rope.

I'd probably tie a figure 8 on a bight and then connect it to the D-ring with a locking carabiner (or two if you're feeling extra cautious).

Peter Trigg · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 0

I had considered using a swiss seat, but rejected the idea since he already has his event rigging harness. I am planning to start him out on something easy like a 5.5 or 5.6, to get him familiar with the top roping setup, i plan on falling a few times to get him used to catching me while on belay, but the shock load should be very minimal.

Thank you all for your advice.

Nate Manson · · San Diego, CA · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 135

Pay attention to those buckles in off widths...they inherently have an increased risk for inadvertently loosening in such use...

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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