Falling out of your saddle

Treeaddict · Jul 18, 2023

In my short climbing career, I’ve never heard of anyone spilling out of their saddle. It makes me wonder if it is a reasonable possibility?

I’ve been upside down once during a short swing back towards a trunk. It didn’t take but a few seconds to become upright again. It never felt like I wasn’t secure. I wear suspenders although they are not for life support.

In the back of my mind exists this minor fear. Has an accident like this ever been documented?

27RMT0N · Jul 18, 2023

Never heard of it or considered it a realistic possibility for a properly fitting saddle. I've hung upside down in all my saddles at one time or another, usually to amuse the customers, haha.

Shadowscape · Jul 18, 2023

You guys have hips. Some of us really skinny people have none, and the possibility is there. I can sinch my saddle up tight to the point I have trouble breathing and I can still push it down and off of me. Being thrown upside down scares the hell out of me with the thought I may be flung out. And for that reason, I wear suspenders. They wouldn't do much in a violent throw, but something where I inadvertently went upside down they may keep me intact.

flushcut · Jul 18, 2023

I remember a video some years ago where a guy had his rigging line break and he got paddle balled off of his perch. He ended upside down with his saddle around his ankles.

Shadowscape · Jul 18, 2023

flushcut said:
I remember a video some years ago where a guy had as rigging line break and he got paddle balled off of his perch. He ended upside down with his saddle around his ankles.

That's when your toes turn superhuman and hang on.

Treeaddict · Jul 18, 2023

I’m sure there’s a difference in being upside down and conscious and being upside down while rendered unconscious.

Shadowscape · Jul 18, 2023

Treeaddict said:
I’m sure there’s a difference in being upside down and conscious and being upside down while rendered unconscious.

If you fall out of your saddle while unconscious at least you won't know it. That would be my preferred method of leaving my harness.

Bart_ · Jul 23, 2023

Slipping out of your saddle upside down is probably correlated with heavier saws making your saddle sag. I'm a 100% suspenders guy.

oldoakman · Jul 23, 2023

Way back in the day when I knew I wanted to be in this industry and before I developed too many bad habits I took just the Arborculture class of Penn State s Horticulture short course. It was a 2 year associate degree program. We had a lab where we went out and climbed. The first time I went up was in a butt strap saddle without any leg safety straps. I was hanging off a branch and when I reached up to grab the hitch I slid up to my arm pits. I suppose I could have exited that tree rather quickly. Never did like a butt strap saddle.

flushcut · Jul 23, 2023

Damn!

moss · Jul 23, 2023

Treeaddict said:
In my short climbing career, I’ve never heard of anyone spilling out of their saddle. It makes me wonder if it is a reasonable possibility?

I’ve been upside down once during a short swing back towards a trunk. It didn’t take but a few seconds to become upright again. It never felt like I wasn’t secure. I wear suspenders although they are not for life support.

In the back of my mind exists this minor fear. Has an accident like this ever been documented?

That's a long way for a saddle to travel from your hips past your feet. That's highly improbable in a "normal" tree climbing/tree work scenario. I'd practice hanging inverted to get over the background fear. If your harness belt is adjusted properly there never should be a risk of falling out of it.
-AJ

islandarb · Jul 23, 2023

Bart_ said:
Slipping out of your saddle upside down is probably correlated with heavier saws making your saddle sag. I'm a 100% suspenders guy.

Even an 880 not moving this TM off my hips where I wear it. I never wear suspenders. I am 6' and 172lbs. Nuff ass I guess.

Shadowscape · Jul 23, 2023

moss said:
That's a long way for a saddle to travel from your hips past your feet. That's highly improbable in a "normal" tree climbing/tree work. I'd practice hanging inverted to get over the background fear. If your harness belt is adjusted properly there never should be a risk of falling out of it.
-AJ

Not all of us are built to fit properly in a saddle so it is that secure. Some of us have no ass at all and just taper downward like a funnel. But I agree, under normal circumstances it would be rare to totally fly out of your harness. I have been upside down many times and felt comfortable, but I wouldn't want to be tosses that way.

islandarb · Jul 23, 2023

I honestly cannot see anyone falling out a properly adjusted modern leg loop saddle. My 2 cents. Ass or no ass.

Shadowscape · Jul 23, 2023

Not likely to happen. Don't want to be a guinea pig though.
I keep my leg loops very loose. Don't like feeling like I am trussed up. Not worried about falling out, just don't want to be in the situation to find out.

islandarb · Jul 23, 2023

Shadowscape said:
Not likely to happen. Don't want to be a guinea pig though.
I keep my leg loops very loose. Don't like feeling like I am trussed up. Not worried about falling out, just don't want to be in the situation to find out.

My leg pads are very loose. Need them to move with me when out on branch tips.

Friedrich · Jul 23, 2023

islandarb said:
Even an 880 not moving this TM off my hips where I wear it. I never wear suspenders. I am 6' and 172lbs. Nuff ass I guess.View attachment 89304

used to not wear suspenders and felt good with a big saw on my tm. now that i‘m spoiled and soft even a 200t is „uncomfortable“ with out suspenders…

islandarb · Jul 23, 2023

Friedrich said:
used to not wear suspenders and felt good with a big saw on my tm. now that i‘m spoiled and soft even a 200t is „uncomfortable“ with out suspenders…

I would never wear them. Not my thing. Have some nice ones hanging in my garage from Walkers Saw Shop. They will dry rot there. My harness never sags. Genetics maybe.

rico · Jul 24, 2023

Shadowscape said:
Not all of us are built to fit properly in a saddle so it is that secure. Some of us have no ass at all and just taper downward like a funnel. But I agree, under normal circumstances it would be rare to totally fly out of your harness. I have been upside down many times and felt comfortable, but I wouldn't want to be tosses that way.

That is the beauty of the Treemotion.. Because of the back-pads shape and 3d nature it hugs the hips/pelvis like no other saddle. Simply the best for us no-assed, no-hipped, built for speed, skinny fella's.

islandarb · Jul 26, 2023

rico said:
That is the beauty of the Treemotion.. Because of the back-pads shape and 3d nature it hugs the hips/pelvis like no other saddle. Simply the best for us no-assed, no-hipped, built for speed, skinny fella's.

@rico. Look at your messages. Sent you a rope suggestion.