Does Lanyard Go On Side D's Or Front D's?

[StihlRockin']

I got to thinking about where some people place their lanyard(s) when climbing and am looking for your opinion.

I use basic configuration climbing saddles; nothing fancy. 2 D-rings on the side and a butt-strap with 2 smaller belts that secure them. At the end of each butt-strap end is a D-ring. When I ascend into a tree to be removed, I have my spikes and use the lanyard on my sides. I usually only use the butt-strap D-rings for descending on a climbing rope. I see some climbers use the lanyard on the end of the butt-strap D-rings and I tell them to switch to the side D-rings.

I got to thinking and somehow that's the only way I've done it. Sometimes when using a shorter lanyard(s), it lengthens the reach around the tree if the lanyard is switched to the D-rings on the end of the butt-strap. One guy said he preferred to have the lanyard attached to the end of the butt-strap because it was more comfortable.

For climbing purposes only, like ascending with spikes, does it matter what D-rings are used with the lanyard(s)?

What is your preference and why?

StihlRockin'

 

[AxeKnot]

My climbing line is always attached to my front D, my lanyard nearly always goes side D to side D.

When you attach a lanyard to your front D along with your climbing line you are only tied in once - If you cut through your bridge or front D webbing both the lifeline and lanyard that are connected to you are going to fall out.

If you attach your lanyard side D to side D and cut through your bridge you will not fall as you are tied into a seperate system. The Side D to Side D lanyard acts like a back up system.

Some people find it more comfortable to attach the lanyard to the front D/Ds both for easier climbing and work positioning reasons.

There are times when it is critical to connect both climbing line and lanyard to the front D/Ds - When you are taking a large top or limb out there is a risk of splitting. If you are tied side D to side D and the top or limb splits you will end up with crushed internal organs or worse. So by connecting both climbing line and lanyard to the front D/Ds you ar moving yourself outside the loop.

This is how my climbing line and lanyard are connected when I'm using the chainsaw in the tree in most situations. You can see in the pic that if I cut through my sliding bridge I'll still be ok as the side Ds act like a back up system.

 

[AxeKnot]

One of my friends uses a Buckingham Pinnacle. This is one of the few harnesses on the market that seems to allow the climber to separate the Ds with ease to create a trapeze type system of climbing. It has something to do with the way the webbing is stitched/designed.

So his lanyard is Side D to Side D as normal but his Front Ds are separated to allow for more movement of the hip joints which is a problem with hardseat harnesses.

Pinnacle -

Trapeze system in action -

 

[treeseer]

front D's only on large trees when the extra length is needed.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I only use a front attachment. I have two bridges and the lanyard goes to one, and the climbing line goes to the other. The side Ds get used to hang the saw only.
It's a lot easier climbing for me, and I feel safer because you take your body out of the loop formed by your rope. It allows you to do all the same things with your lanyard that you do with your climbing line.

 

[lxt]

If its a large spar, I will use my front D`s to gain xtra length, I will also slide my saddle up higher on my back, mine has no leg straps! this helps with back support. My set up is oldfashioned & very basic, some of these new setups have a gadget for everything!!


LXT...........

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

If its a large spar, I will use my front D`s to gain xtra length, I will also slide my saddle up higher on my back, mine has no leg straps! this helps with back support. My set up is oldfashioned & very basic, some of these new setups have a gadget for everything!!


LXT...........

Get a real saddle, you will be very happy you did! Climbing without leg straps is very dangerous too.

 

[2FatGuys]

LXT - I retired my OLD Weaver "belt" several years ago. It's amazing how much more comfortable and safe it is in my newer saddle! I use a Buckingham Master Deluxe. I use the side D's for the lanyard (most of the time) and the variety of front connection points for the main climbing line and for a second climbing line when leapfrogging or using multi-TIP.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Get a real saddle, you will be very happy you did! Climbing without leg straps is very dangerous too.

He's an incorrigible oldschooler, Mike. No changing there.

I worked with part of D'Ohrings crew this past weekend, your buddy Chad's a good kid.

 

[pdqdl]

I assume that your are referring to a basic two-belt type of saddle, equipped with retainer straps for the butt-belt.

When attached by lanyard only to the buttstrap, there is more strain on the spurs and legs (if leaning straight from the trunk), also, if you are disabled by any falling material, there is a greater tendency to fall backwards/out of your position. You may prefer the lower attachment point for greater mobility, to move the lanyard away from a cutting position, or to increase your weight support when only using the lanyard.

When attached (only) to the side d-rings, there is less load on the legs and more back support, but there is also a little bit less mobility and room to work from. If you kick out you will be pulled straight to the tree; if knocked down by falling material, there is a greatly reduced tendency to fall backwards or go inverted in the belt. Most climbers I know rig themselves in the tree with the side D's for the lanyard, and the butt-D's on the climbing line, often not using the lanyard and side D's at all.

WARNING: if suspended from a long lanyard overhead or from the climbing line attached to the waist belt ("side D's), you can break ribs if you fall or slip downward. The thick, inflexible fabric of the waist belt pulls straight up like a vertical straight-edge and cracks right on through your ribs. I KNOW ! I broke 3 ribs on a rather gentle drop ! I was suspended heavily to one side (the trunk of the tree) from the butt belt, I felt that the dead limb I was walking on might break (good call !), and I was rigged with my lanyard to a limb overhead to prevent a disastrous fall back to the trunk. The limb broke, I dropped a small distance suspended by two points, and broke my ribs doing it.

 

[beowulf343]

I see some climbers use the lanyard on the end of the butt-strap D-rings and I tell them to switch to the side D-rings.

You TELL them to switch to the upper d's? Surprised that hasn't gotten you lumped up. You ain't gonna like my setup.

Flipline on my upper d's. Climbing line on lower. However, on ascent, my climbing line is used as my second flip so i do technically have a lanyard on my lower d's. However, if i'm going to be doing any serious cutting on the way up i prefer the support at my hips instead of the butt. So if i'm climbing say a pine, i'll run two flips off my upper d's. Otherwise one on the upper and one on the lower. The pinnacle is my saddle of choice simply because you can split the lower d's. I like being able to walk through my rope when limb walking. Although i'll bring the d's together when working off my rope. Then, when i'm doing stem work, my main support will be the flip on my upper d's with my lower d's split and tied into my backup. The split lower d's will drop your secondary tie-in lower out of the way and i've never really liked that bunch of d's and snaps between my sack and the stem.

Get a real saddle, you will be very happy you did! Climbing without leg straps is very dangerous too.

LXT-you ever heard of anyone falling out of a saddle, even without leg straps? I know i haven't. Besides, i don't keep the leg straps super tight on my pinnacle and i can fall out of it. Plus, i know when i climbed without leg straps, i'd simply make sure my saddle was above my hipbones-no problems.

 

[lxt]

Beowulf343.......No I havent heard of anyone falling out of their saddle!LOL.
& thats what I do make sure its over the hip!! atleast someone remembers doing this!

Real saddle uhh?..........here we go!! what exactly do you consider a real saddle? cuz im sure what you think is the best someone else will think different.

just be Safe....I thought that was most important.

LXT............I use an 020 is that a real saw?

 

[woodchux]

There's a picture here somewhere of a guy hanging under a lead with his belt up under his armpits... The fire dept had to get him down.

 

[beowulf343]

Get a real saddle, you will be very happy you did! Climbing without leg straps is very dangerous too.

There's a picture here somewhere of a guy hanging under a lead with his belt up under his armpits... The fire dept had to get him down.

Ok, so this sounds a little uncomfortable-i'm not seeing "very dangerous" here.

 

[ropensaddle]

One of my friends uses a Buckingham Pinnacle. This is one of the few harnesses on the market that seems to allow the climber to separate the Ds with ease to create a trapeze type system of climbing. It has something to do with the way the webbing is stitched/designed.

So his lanyard is Side D to Side D as normal but his Front Ds are separated to allow for more movement of the hip joints which is a problem with hardseat harnesses.

Pinnacle -

Trapeze system in action -

Yes I got extremely lucky early in my career was taking a large
limb off with a snap cut! I was out a good ways and set down on the
limb straddling it! Bucked in with an old leather lineman strap to the
side d's, as; we just got new saddles and never seen one with side d's
until then! Undercut the limb and placed top cut and was immediately
racked and the old strap broke luckily for me it was rotten! I learned
to check my gear and to clip into the middle d's when doing the big stuff!


Please tell me in your picture you are just making the notch
and not on your back cut?

 

[oldirty]

climbing line to the bridge, lanyard to the side D's.

 

[treeclimber jul]

I use the pinnicle, and wish it had more padding The hip bones get vary sore and raw from all the weight hanging off the saddle. I use two fliplines on the side D's, climbing line on the buttstrap

I hope in the pic of the trapeze in action that the clomber is tied in to the other spar, not the one he is cutting:monkey: LOL