Neck Lanyard.......how many climbers use these? How did you build it? Thughts?

[smokey01]

Just wondering how many climbers use a neck lanyard. Construction? Thoughts and precautions?
I use one to advance my Croll chest ascender and RW and I also find it handy to hang my throw line reels when I am in the tree.

 

[Pelorus]

A bit leery, Smokey. Avoiding strangulation is a minor detail, I suppose.
I don't even like wearing a tie to a wedding.

 

[smokey01]

...I don't even like wearing a tie to a wedding.

Now there is a real risk of strangulation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe too late, I think it already happened at that event.

 

[KenJax Tree]

Nope i just keep it simple i couldn't imagine taking all those gadgets and trinkets in a tree with me.

 

[smokey01]

Couple I made and use.

 

[TreeGuyHR]

I have to think that ANSI doesn't mention their use or forbids it. Seems to me only coaches should have a neck lanyard for their whistles, or birders for their binoculars. Seems safe for them -- but I'd be willing to bet one could find strangulation examples for them. (Leaving out murder cases).

But in a tree?:msp_confused: No thanks.

 

[Zale]

Never used one. Never seen one. No use for one. You're over thinking it.

 

[capetrees]

I don't even keep the strings in my hoodie! No way I'm putting something that looks un-breakawayable (sp?) around my neck with branches sometimes flying by me while in the tree. :msp_scared:

 

[treemandan]

Couple I made and use.

That would work better if you soaked it in gasoline. I use a set of army surplus suspenders on my saddle, they have spots to keep a beener or two. I like to stow the working end of a lowering line there.They are rigid and designed to hold a pack or a belt but clip right on to my saddle for 12 bucks. As with everybody else I don't like the idea of having a rope around my neck, in fact even having a necklace is out of the question.

 

[TreeGuyHR]

With all due respect, this thread could be re-titled:


"Dumb-ass things I've done in trees that seemed like a good idea at the time"

How about this:

Branch walked out on a stout oak limb, tied in above (so far so good);
put a lanyard around an upright side limb for stability, leaned away from it with a pole saw to make a cut, leaving a foot wedged in the crotch so I wouldn't slip(so far so good) -- but wait, its coming :msp_scared::msp_scared:

side limb suddenly tore off, I rotated around my wedged foot, and swung into the main trunk

Result: torn cartilage in my knee, wacked my head (no problem there, hard head)

The limb was around 2 1/2 inches thick, but originated as an epicormic sprout, so it was weakly attached.
Knee permanently ####ed, but so long as i don't twist it, it is fine for long periods of time; the orthopedist at the time said I might need a knee replacement! Split the cartilage sideways, like two pancakes stacked up, usually cracks radially, not in my case.

 

[KenJax Tree]

With all due respect, this thread could be re-titled:


"Dumb-ass things I've done in trees that seemed like a good idea at the time"

How about this:

Branch walked out on a stout oak limb, tied in above (so far so good);
put a lanyard around an upright side limb for stability, leaned away from it with a pole saw to make a cut, leaving a foot wedged in the crotch so I wouldn't slip(so far so good) -- but wait, its coming :msp_scared::msp_scared:

side limb suddenly tore off, I rotated around my wedged foot, and swung into the main trunk

Result: torn cartilage in my knee, wacked my head (no problem there, hard head)

The limb was around 2 1/2 inches thick, but originated as an epicormic sprout, so it was weakly attached.
Knee permanently ####ed, but so long as i don't twist it, it is fine for long periods of time; the orthopedist at the time said I might need a knee replacement! Split the cartilage sideways, like two pancakes stacked up, usually cracks radially, not in my case.

He don't climb trees its a pole with a lawn chair on top (seriously)

 

[smokey01]

With all due respect, this thread could be re-titled:


"Dumb-ass things I've done in trees that seemed like a good idea at the time"

How about this:

Branch walked out on a stout oak limb, tied in above (so far so good);
put a lanyard around an upright side limb for stability, leaned away from it with a pole saw to make a cut, leaving a foot wedged in the crotch so I wouldn't slip(so far so good) -- but wait, its coming :msp_scared::msp_scared:

side limb suddenly tore off, I rotated around my wedged foot, and swung into the main trunk

Result: torn cartilage in my knee, wacked my head (no problem there, hard head)

The limb was around 2 1/2 inches thick, but originated as an epicormic sprout, so it was weakly attached.
Knee permanently ####ed, but so long as i don't twist it, it is fine for long periods of time; the orthopedist at the time said I might need a knee replacement! Split the cartilage sideways, like two pancakes stacked up, usually cracks radially, not in my case.

Ouch!!!!! I hope you will have a full recovery. Those knee injuries can be a real bugger later in life!
I do hope you can post this in the Arboricultural Injuries and Fatalities section so that other don't miss your experience and have an opportunity to learn from your mistake.

Question: Were you using a neck lanyard and how did that contribute to this accident???

 

[Gologit]

He don't climb trees its a pole with a lawn chair on top (seriously)

That's okay. Everybody should do what they do best. In this case, it's pole with a white plastic chair on top.
And lots of toys and gadgets, most of which seem to have no practical application to tree work but might possibly make him feel better when he's sitting in his pole chair.

The word poser comes to mind.

 

[Nemus Talea]

Where did you get this idea?
May as well run a lathe with a neck tie. Perhaps work around around unshielded PTOs and chain drives on the farm wearing a loose, unbuttoned long sleeve shirt. No problem as long as you are careful and nothing goes wrong, yeah? Give some thought to how things can go wrong working a tree and the consequences of that noose getting snagged. A break away soft enough to protect your spine, larynx, soft tissues and prevent strangulation would no doubt eliminate its usefulness.
Loose that suicide machine.

 

[Incomplete]

I get nervous just temporarily draping endless loops over my shoulder. Someone's brain needs to engage. It's not called the "safest" occupation in the world.

 

[Incomplete]

The limb was around 2 1/2 inches thick, but originated as an epicormic sprout, so it was weakly attached.
Knee permanently ####ed, but so long as i don't twist it, it is fine for long periods of time; the orthopedist at the time said I might need a knee replacement! Split the cartilage sideways, like two pancakes stacked up, usually cracks radially, not in my case.

Thanks for sharing. I will now be terrified of ALL seemingly safe branches. I think I will invest in one of those neck crainer 50 foot pole saws.

 

[TreeGuyHR]

Ouch!!!!! I hope you will have a full recovery. Those knee injuries can be a real bugger later in life!
I do hope you can post this in the Arboricultural Injuries and Fatalities section so that other don't miss your experience and have an opportunity to learn from your mistake.

Question: Were you using a neck lanyard and how did that contribute to this accident???

Should not have put my foot there; if I hadn't wedged my foot in a crotch, I would have merely fallen off the limb and wacked the trunk -- and that would have been a lot better. Now, a neck lanyard tied to .... what... would do what?


Since then, I have learned to make the friction under my feet increase by having my life line at an angle overhead instead of directly overhead; I now can also walk up near vertical side trunks that I used to struggle with. Same principle branch walking -- facing the limb at a right angle, make sure your lifeline is overhead and on the far side -- now just lean back and enjoy a stroll!

You can tell when a climber hasn't figured out how to use his feet, when he "does the worm", trying to shinny up side trunks and grabbing at stubs or small limbs and trying to set a lanyard to get a breather. Why bother tiring yourself all out when you can walk? If what you are climbing is near vertical, you need your rope going at a tangent to what you are climbing so you can lean back and walk up the far side, batman style. Of course, you want your lifeline above the height of your destination, but by that time there are likely to be side limbs you can use.

 

[sir_nick2]

I don't see a problem with it as i climb full srt on a uni and i can see the use for one. Just make sure it is break away and keep it tucked away when not being used. Don't listen to the negativity and learn your own way to climb, glad i never listened to it or i'd still be Ddrt on a prussik like a retard

 

[Nemus Talea]

That would work better if you soaked it in gasoline. I use a set of army surplus suspenders on my saddle, they have spots to keep a beener or two. I like to stow the working end of a lowering line there.They are rigid and designed to hold a pack or a belt but clip right on to my saddle for 12 bucks. As with everybody else I don't like the idea of having a rope around my neck, in fact even having a necklace is out of the question.

H or Y style ALICE suspenders, I use em on occasion. Mod those for your croll. Pg. 94 of the 2012 Sherrill master catalog has an illustration using webbing and a delta link to mount a croll. Put in a slider from an old duffel bag strap to adjust for different weight clothes. Split ring from a key chain fob could be a breakaway if desired.
Thing with suspenders and straps high on the body, even flat and not encircling the neck, they grab stuff that otherwise would brush past. Had an apple twig snake along a suspender strap and try to remove my eye. Foreign matter is always trying to jump in our eye sockets. Somethings increase the likelihood.
Office workers have breakaways on their ID lanyards... lets think about this.

 

[Nemus Talea]

No one understood treeguy? He locked a body part and paid a heavy price when the unplanned and unseen came to visit. Sometimes a structure failure, maybe a slip, wildlife, wet glove, bad angle, ice, poor climb plan, unseen hazard...
Imagine a sudden drop or wild swing and a loop around the neck catches a stub.