Break Away Lanyard Question

[ward]

With the recent storm, we had a Douglas fir root plate failure fir that I had to climb into to crane out. I was tied into a neighboring fir, but had to flipline into the dodgy fir. It had developed about a 15 degree lean over the house and cracking around the root zone. I was really worried the thing might snap another root or two while I was in it and just fail completely onto the house. I fliplined around a branch I thought would snap if the tree decided to go over during my work in it, allowing me to swing free, but thought also about just fliplining around the stem and using a small carabiner meant to fail at 250 lbs or so.

Ansi standards suggest that there are to be 2 points of attachment unless it is demonstratively less safe to do so. What to do about those cases where you want a second point of attachment that behaves like a break away, a failsafe?

See attached video for reference

.

 

[MikePowers321]

Nice work! Trees like that will Pucker you up a bit : )

I keep a loop of throwline girth hitched onto my D ring that I clip my snap into on sketchy trees, just like that one you were taking down.

 

[ward]

500 lbs breaking strength, right?

 

[MikePowers321]

No, the kind I use is stronger, but I just used what I had and didn't think about it too deeply. 500 would probably be more appropriate though.

I found myself in that same predicament too many times last year.

 

[ward]

I was thinking that 500 lbs would be way too much. At some point--probably well shy of 500 lbs force--the friction hitch will slip, esp. with the rope wrench. If the stem were to fail, it would likely pull you to the ground before snapping the throwline failsafe and thus the flipline. That's why I'm thinking it (the breaking point of a lanyard release) should ideally be 250lbs or less--a little more than your body weight with gear, etc. I don't know that there are or could be any set parameters on something like this. I don't think ANSI would want to step in and give clear guidance on the tolerances of 'failsafe carabiner devices'...

 

[evo]

I've heard of zip ties being used, also using polypropylene rope as a flip line. This is just for work positioning for comfort and not load bearing.

 

[CreTree]

I've used zip ties. Make sure they have the metal tangs inside and not plastic. The plastic tends to slip a little where the metal ones hold until they break, if it goes that far.

 

[macswan]

Mini non-rated biner on the d ring. Clip into that. That's what I do. Not a nice fat one, but a stupid key chain biner with some company logo on it.

 

[monkeylove]

Never tried this one yet but I know you can get braided fishing line up to 500lbs in 20-50lbs jumps. Maybe something can be done with that.

 

[Tony]

Shower curtain ring. Just don't get mislead by certain manufacturers and use it on your bridge!

Tony

 

[RajElectric]

I've connected my lanyard to my bridge and just wrapped it around the spar once, taking care not to have too much length left over, either holding the free end in my hand or pinching it between my leg and the spar.

 

[BuckmasterTreeService]

I have clipped into my caritool or an accessory loop before. Hopefully they are weak enough to break before me. It would be nice if harnesses came with an accessory loop or two designed to fail at appropriate weights.

 

[evo]

What about using a yates screamer. Very carefully cut the webbing so the stitching is the only thing holding it together, and when activated it separates.

 

[ward]

I've heard of zip ties being used, also using polypropylene rope as a flip line. This is just for work positioning for comfort and not load bearing.

I think this is a viable option. Do you know what the breaking strength is on one of those? 50 lbs? They could be doubled up or tripled up depending on your needs with sketchy trees on a hair trigger would use just a single strand for easy snapping.

 

[JontreeHI]

Good stuff chris.
Break away lanyard freaks me out a bit, I sort of feel like it's an absolute last ditch resort. I'd rather look to guy a tree from multiple angles if possible for peace of mind, and the high tie elsewhere like you've got there. Not that it isn't a valid technique for the right situation, but I'm not hasty in the slightest to rush into using it, know what I mean?

 

[JontreeHI]

Anybody have any tales of the break away being needed, the spar goes, and it activates successfully or otherwise?

 

[ward]

Mini non-rated biner on the d ring. Clip into that. That's what I do. Not a nice fat one, but a stupid key chain biner with some company logo on it.

I've got a #1,200 lb rated mini biner that I think I WON'T be using. If you could load test a few (of the accessory biners) to failure you'd exactly what you could do with it. This is probably the route I'll pursue. Interesting to find 'just the right biner' for this application. I doubt we'll be seeing this offered in any of the catalogues cross listed for this application for the obvious reasons.

 

[Richard Mumford-yoyoman]

Let's ask Nick to break a couple of these.

https://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?item=1388

 

[RyanCafferky]

I think Evo is on the right track. I've used the Buckingham break away lanyards, mini bikers, and various break away mechanisms but thankfully haven't had to utilize that feature yet.

Yates used to make the aid screamer. That one was designed to rip at low forces.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[oceans]

With the recent storm, we had a Douglas fir root plate failure fir that I had to climb into to crane out. I was tied into a neighboring fir, but had to flipline into the dodgy fir. It had developed about a 15 degree lean over the house and cracking around the root zone. I was really worried the thing might snap another root or two while I was in it and just fail completely onto the house. I fliplined around a branch I thought would snap if the tree decided to go over during my work in it, allowing me to swing free, but thought also about just fliplining around the stem and using a small carabiner meant to fail at 250 lbs or so.

Ansi standards suggest that there are to be 2 points of attachment unless it is demonstratively less safe to do so. What to do about those cases where you want a second point of attachment that behaves like a break away, a failsafe?

See attached video for reference

.

Perfect opportunity for DSRT.

I think you made a good choice of tie in. Another option is an Oval Link with a low rating on it. Maybe buy a handful and do a partial batch test on your own? I've heard some of those little non-rated links breaking pretty high. At least it would be locking for reliability, but break-away when potentially needed?

I guess the DSRT would keep you compliant and the positioning just for positioning and not life support.