Rope Runner Critical Incident Report August 2020

[normer]

Critical Incident Report of Rope Runner Aug, 2020

Critical Incident Report of Rope Runner Aug, 2020

I had been using the Rope Runner Pro almost on a daily basis since purchasing it from TreeStuff in early July. I was new to the rope runner and was anxious to use it and get used to the features that others have given rave reviews.

In August, I was about 50 feet into a tree. I was coming down rather fast when all of a sudden I heard two clicks and I began to drop like a rock. Fortunately, I had my left hand below the rope runner on the rope letting it feather through my hand. I grab the rope both above and below the rope runner slowing my fall to the ground.

I looked at the rope runner and realized that the only friction on the rope was held by the bird at the top. Not having a lot of time to evaluate what was happening I essentially let the rope go through my hands as I tightened to increase the tension on the rope and slowing my ascent. The gloves were burning as the rope slipped through the gloves.

Fortunately, I made the hard drop to the ground with no injuries. It did shake me up.

Looking at the rope runner upon the ground, I realized that the two lower slic link pins were not pushed into the plate that catches the pins. I could not figure out how they came out. I have been using the rope runner for nearly a month, I never had forgotten to push the pins all the way in before. I usually start from the top or the bottom and as I go, I push the pins in once the rope is in. I had no problem ascending the tree. The rope runner held me in place when I stopped to rest or evaluate the cat rescue that I was involved in.

I was up in the tree for about 45 minutes using the rope runner to secure me on the rope. I was lanyard-ed in, but the Rope Runner did most of the work to keep me in the tree. I did not notice anything wrong with the rope runner.

In the descent, I was probably coming down faster than I ever had, just to test my skills in descending with the rope runner, which is not fast compared to my colleagues. It was in this descent, that the rope came out of the rope runner and all I had to secure me was the slight drag created by the bird and my two gloved hands.

I report this as a "critical incident" because others need to know that just because the RRP holds on the ground or in the tree does not mean everything is correct. In other tree climbing situations, this incident could have been catastrophic for me.

I stopped using the Rope Runner Pro from that incident. I had no confidence in it.

 

[Boomslang]

One thing I noticed about the RRPro that immediately made me question it was the style of slic pin they used. The "catches" or little push buttons are rounded.

I believe there was an issue with the quickies, when they first came out, and these same style of pin being able to pop out with enough force applied due to the rounded tops. Treestuff sent out replacement pins with more pronounced peaks.

Why would Treestuff/Notch/Sherrill/whatever the fuck they're calling themselves this month use a pin that has a known flaw and was replaced in the past?

 

[JayDeCoster]

I am having trouble envisioning a scenario where this would happen barring that pins were not fully inserted or locking tabs gummed up.

 

[Acerxharlowii]

You know they never sent me the new pins and I was #37. What’s up treestuff

 

[colb]

Critical Incident Report of Rope Runner Aug, 2020

Critical Incident Report of Rope Runner Aug, 2020

I had been using the Rope Runner Pro almost on a daily basis since purchasing it from TreeStuff in early July. I was new to the rope runner and was anxious to use it and get used to the features that others have given rave reviews.

In August, I was about 50 feet into a tree. I was coming down rather fast when all of a sudden I heard two clicks and I began to drop like a rock. Fortunately, I had my left hand below the rope runner on the rope letting it feather through my hand. I grab the rope both above and below the rope runner slowing my fall to the ground.

I looked at the rope runner and realized that the only friction on the rope was held by the bird at the top. Not having a lot of time to evaluate what was happening I essentially let the rope go through my hands as I tightened to increase the tension on the rope and slowing my ascent. The gloves were burning as the rope slipped through the gloves.

Fortunately, I made the hard drop to the ground with no injuries. It did shake me up.

Looking at the rope runner upon the ground, I realized that the two lower slic link pins were not pushed into the plate that catches the pins. I could not figure out how they came out. I have been using the rope runner for nearly a month, I never had forgotten to push the pins all the way in before. I usually start from the top or the bottom and as I go, I push the pins in once the rope is in. I had no problem ascending the tree. The rope runner held me in place when I stopped to rest or evaluate the cat rescue that I was involved in.

I was up in the tree for about 45 minutes using the rope runner to secure me on the rope. I was lanyard-ed in, but the Rope Runner did most of the work to keep me in the tree. I did not notice anything wrong with the rope runner.

In the descent, I was probably coming down faster than I ever had, just to test my skills in descending with the rope runner, which is not fast compared to my colleagues. It was in this descent, that the rope came out of the rope runner and all I had to secure me was the slight drag created by the bird and my two gloved hands.

I report this as a "critical incident" because others need to know that just because the RRP holds on the ground or in the tree does not mean everything is correct. In other tree climbing situations, this incident could have been catastrophic for me.

I stopped using the Rope Runner Pro from that incident. I had no confidence in it.

Normer, have you reported this to Notch and/or @treebing ?

 

[normer]

Normer, have you reported this to Notch and/or @treebing ?

Yes, after many emails, phone calls and finally certified letters, they responded to me. I waited for some alert from them about this type of situation, hearing nothing, I post here.

 

[normer]

Normer, have you reported this to Notch and/or @treebing ?

Yes.

 

[Christrees]

Critical Incident Report of Rope Runner Aug, 2020

Critical Incident Report of Rope Runner Aug, 2020

I had been using the Rope Runner Pro almost on a daily basis since purchasing it from TreeStuff in early July. I was new to the rope runner and was anxious to use it and get used to the features that others have given rave reviews.

In August, I was about 50 feet into a tree. I was coming down rather fast when all of a sudden I heard two clicks and I began to drop like a rock. Fortunately, I had my left hand below the rope runner on the rope letting it feather through my hand. I grab the rope both above and below the rope runner slowing my fall to the ground.

I looked at the rope runner and realized that the only friction on the rope was held by the bird at the top. Not having a lot of time to evaluate what was happening I essentially let the rope go through my hands as I tightened to increase the tension on the rope and slowing my ascent. The gloves were burning as the rope slipped through the gloves.

Fortunately, I made the hard drop to the ground with no injuries. It did shake me up.

Looking at the rope runner upon the ground, I realized that the two lower slic link pins were not pushed into the plate that catches the pins. I could not figure out how they came out. I have been using the rope runner for nearly a month, I never had forgotten to push the pins all the way in before. I usually start from the top or the bottom and as I go, I push the pins in once the rope is in. I had no problem ascending the tree. The rope runner held me in place when I stopped to rest or evaluate the cat rescue that I was involved in.

I was up in the tree for about 45 minutes using the rope runner to secure me on the rope. I was lanyard-ed in, but the Rope Runner did most of the work to keep me in the tree. I did not notice anything wrong with the rope runner.

In the descent, I was probably coming down faster than I ever had, just to test my skills in descending with the rope runner, which is not fast compared to my colleagues. It was in this descent, that the rope came out of the rope runner and all I had to secure me was the slight drag created by the bird and my two gloved hands.

I report this as a "critical incident" because others need to know that just because the RRP holds on the ground or in the tree does not mean everything is correct. In other tree climbing situations, this incident could have been catastrophic for me.

I stopped using the Rope Runner Pro from that incident. I had no confidence in it.

Wow that is crazy man. Im glad your alri ght. I recently bought one tried it a few times an sold it on here. I find that i dont trust mechanical prusiks. But thats me. However i love the hybrid devices. Like the hitchhiker 2.(which i have) and rope wrench. (I had 1 but im going to get another this coming season). Then the good old hitch climber system. Not hybrid obviously. But anyway im sorry that happened to you. That really is an intense experience. Stay safe

 

[normer]

Wow that is crazy man. Im glad your alri ght. I recently bought one tried it a few times an sold it on here. I find that i dont trust mechanical prusiks. But thats me. However i love the hybrid devices. Like the hitchhiker 2.(which i have) and rope wrench. (I had 1 but im going to get another this coming season). Then the good old hitch climber system. Not hybrid obviously. But anyway im sorry that happened to you. That really is an intense experience. Stay safe

I like mechanicals because generally because they are fool's proof. They either work or they don't, ........except the RRP did not. Not only was it not fool's proof, it fooled me.

 

[Crimsonking]

I’m trying to wrap my head around this. The only Slic pin that makes contact with the rope is the bird, so rope couldn’t have caused rotation. I can’t think of much that could have caused rotation otherwise, which is required to disengage the bottom pin. So how do two pins with two catches each get pushed through their channels, one rotate to do so, and the side plates move to allow the rope to pop free?

I’d like to see pics of the rounded Slic pin catches, too. Mine are definitely not rounded.

 

[normer]

I am not saying it could not have been user error. What I am saying is, that even in one's best efforts at safety, one can not assurance that it is going to work in all aspects of climbing, ascending, descending and holding one off the ground. I like for a system to work all the time not just some of the time even if I installed it wrong.

 

[Jehinten]

I like for a system to work all the time not just some of the time even if I installed it wrong.

I can understand the first half of this, but any system installed wrong will fail one way or another. At best it'll lock up, at worst it won't grab.

 

[Crimsonking]

I can’t think of a single device that works properly if installed incorrectly. The user of any devices assumes the responsibility to be properly trained and competent in its use. If someone’s understanding of devices or climbing systems isn’t at the point that they can confidently use them aloft, they need to receive more training before attempting to implement those devices or systems.

I cannot fathom how any negativity can be directed toward a manufacturer if the user’s standard for safety is “works even when installed improperly”.

 

[oldoakman]

I would put a call in to Ken Nugent...one call, that’s all.

 

[27RMT0N]

I like for a system to work all the time not just some of the time even if I installed it wrong.

I don't think that is a fair standard to judge anything by. Isn't that like saying "I don't want my car to crash, even if I steer it into a wall."?

Edit: that being said, ideally products/tools are designed in a way that makes the correct method easy and obvious.

 

[normer]

I would put a call in to Ken Nugent...one call, that’s all.

I did not have harm, I was not injured. I was frightened. I went back up a tree within an hour. I just did not use RRP. Treestuff exchanged it for the Unicender.

 

[Njdelaney]

Something is not stirring the Kool-aid here. I don't expect my seat belt to save my life if I don't buckle it.

 

[normer]

Something is not stirring the Kool-aid here. I don't expect my seat belt to save my life if I don't buckle it.

You expect it to work when you click it though.

 

[oldoakman]

I did not have harm, I was not injured. I was frightened. I went back up a tree within an hour. I just did not use RRP. Treestuff exchanged it for the Unicender.

But you had a specific incident with an extremely high likelyhood of harm.

 

[colb]

Whatever the hell happened, props on the old-school descent.