DRT blakes/prussic

[kbiv]

Ok a couple of questions to the climbers out there. First off, I don't plan on doing this for pay, was just bored. Been around knots and ropes for a while, but mainly simple ones, figure 8's and bowlines.
Threw the rope into the crotch of the oak outside to figure out the drt set-up. It seemed like the blakes hitch would not tighten up on the line. Used a seperate prussic cord attached to the caribiner, was able to work, but needed three hands to try to manage everything. I know all the disclaimers and promises of a sudden deceleration terminal event, but would someone like to post a diagram or a pic of a drt setup and operation?. My copy of beraniks book wasn't too clear.

Is the blakes hitch not well suited for synthethic ropes? I know there has been a few from my boy scout days that are outlawed due to less friction on the ropes.
Trust me, if I had a chance, i would go watch a service, but my schedule doesn't permit it. Like I said, I'm just wondering, and have no visions of doing this.

 

[Ghillie]

Ok a couple of questions to the climbers out there. First off, I don't plan on doing this for pay, was just bored. Been around knots and ropes for a while, but mainly simple ones, figure 8's and bowlines.
Threw the rope into the crotch of the oak outside to figure out the drt set-up. It seemed like the blakes hitch would not tighten up on the line. Used a seperate prussic cord attached to the caribiner, was able to work, but needed three hands to try to manage everything. I know all the disclaimers and promises of a sudden deceleration terminal event, but would someone like to post a diagram or a pic of a drt setup and operation?. My copy of beraniks book wasn't too clear.

Is the blakes hitch not well suited for synthethic ropes? I know there has been a few from my boy scout days that are outlawed due to less friction on the ropes.
Trust me, if I had a chance, i would go watch a service, but my schedule doesn't permit it. Like I said, I'm just wondering, and have no visions of doing this.

Don't try the blake's hitch on NFPA certified kernmantle. It is too stiff to cinch up on the rope. It would be just like if you were trying to put a 3-wrap prussik on 1/2" rope with 1/2" cordage.

And another thing to shorten your learning curve, no matter what you have learned about screw lock 'biners in high-angle classes. DO NOT trust them with your life in a tree!

Most equipment in the rescue disciplines do not transfer well to tree climbing. This is a lesson it took a while for me to learn (untill a screwlock biner came unlocked, unclipped and fell from my harness in tree) but once I did, everything went smooth.

 

[MonkeyMan_812]

The blakes hitch is an awesome knot. You just have to dress and set the knot. I started out ont the blakes hitch and just now switched to a different climbing system. The blakes is the best ' old school ' climbing system knot out there if you ask me.

 

[md_tree_dood]

While I share alot less enthusiasm for the blakes hitch then monkey, it's extremely important that its set and dressed before you try to use it. You can tie it right and it won't work until its dressed. As far as lines go, it works with every arborist line I've tried, so that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Adkpk]

Never start out on a hitch that doesn't hold you while doing a bounce test without touching the hitch. If Jerry Beranek can't get you to tie a blakes right neither can we. Must be using to stiff a rope. You should post a pic.

 

[kbiv]

I was using a static kernmantle, and like you said it may be too tight. Also will try the Grog's site, I follow directions sometimes better than reverse engineering. And I agree about the rescue no equal the tree thing. I've done 40 foot rappels with a tied web harness, but 2 feet of trying to ascend was enough of that !!!

 

[Ghillie]

I was using a static kernmantle, and like you said it may be too tight. Also will try the Grog's site, I follow directions sometimes better than reverse engineering. And I agree about the rescue no equal the tree thing. I've done 40 foot rappels with a tied web harness, but 2 feet of trying to ascend was enough of that !!!

I took a gamble on guessing what you were trying with.

Are you looking to invest some money in arborist gear?

 

[kbiv]

ok, tried it tonight with softer rope. Was able to get the knot to hold, but since not using life safety rope, didn't try for too much. Still trying to figure out how to mind the knot to advance, but looking at the tree saddles, it seems the attachment points are a lot lower than rescue harnesses. That may be a factor. As far as investing in gear, I can dream, but in reality, no. I'm basically a firewood hack, who does small time cleanups for some bucks and the wood. If I had the money to spend, it would mainly go for education, so I can answer more questions, with something else than "I'm not a tree guy, call..." After I get more tree sense, than maybe the climbing. It's just right now I have all these cool rescue toys at work, so, just trying to experiment with them.
I've been trying to get on PT with a couple local services, but anyone who's willing to deal with a 24/48 work schedule, doesn't have enough work to need another body. Maybe this summer will change that.

 

[Ghillie]

ok, tried it tonight with softer rope. Was able to get the knot to hold, but since not using life safety rope, didn't try for too much. Still trying to figure out how to mind the knot to advance, but looking at the tree saddles, it seems the attachment points are a lot lower than rescue harnesses. That may be a factor. As far as investing in gear, I can dream, but in reality, no. I'm basically a firewood hack, who does small time cleanups for some bucks and the wood. If I had the money to spend, it would mainly go for education, so I can answer more questions, with something else than "I'm not a tree guy, call..." After I get more tree sense, than maybe the climbing. It's just right now I have all these cool rescue toys at work, so, just trying to experiment with them.
I've been trying to get on PT with a couple local services, but anyone who's willing to deal with a 24/48 work schedule, doesn't have enough work to need another body. Maybe this summer will change that.

It depends on the harness. The saddles with a floating bridge are easier to tend the hitch but are not a necessity. My older harness (petzl) has a fixed front attachment point like my CMC and B&B rescue harnesses.

A few tips, a micropulley makes a world of difference in hitch tending and tie the blake's as close to your attachment as possible and still be able to maintain the hitch's functionality.

BTW, some of the more advanced hitches (distel and others) will work great as an adjustable personal safety lanyard, they are easily adjusted for length while your weight is on them. You should be able to tie the hitches with anything you have on hand for the 3-wrap prussiks.

Here is an example with arborist gear. Note that nothing is NFPA certified though.

Stay safe!

Fred