Weaver Cougar bridge failure and fall today.

I didn't like the bridge from day 1 of getting the saddle. The bend radius over the biner, the splices. I eventually tied a length of tachyon rope with buntline hitches along side the bridge and clipped into both. Recently dismantled it and put 2 large aluminum rings over both. It's easier to clip into now and the bend radius is larger. The 2 rings are good for 2 tips. The set up looks secure to me. I suspect the weak links now to be the stock rings that link the whole saddle together. Mine are the marked ones so I'm pretty confident in the saddle now. You just have to closely inspect before each use. Hope the guy recovers well and everybody be careful out there. And that's the bridge I have and the one that wasn't recalled.
 
How old or how heavily used was that bridge?
That bridge looks pretty heavily used and old to me. I bought my Cougar in 2008 I think and it had that same bridge.

How often is everyone replacing their spliced or rope bridges?

Is your friend self employed or does he work for a company? I'm just curious what if any safety protocols that should be in place to help prevent accidents like this. I know documented safety programs are a lot of paperwork but if it helps pull and replace old bridges and equipment it is worth it. We are setting ours up now and I am definitely going to bring up implementing regular, documented gear inspections.

Employers have a responsibility to maintain safe working conditions for their employees and that should include mandating that equipment be inspected and replaced as needed (preferably at the employers expense [from a former business owner and current employees' perspective])

I am really glad to hear your friend is ok and really not glad to hear another Cougar related accident. though I don't think it's necessarily the fault of the manufacturer. Maybe slightly, by not educating their customers how to appropriately inspect gear and the need to replace certain components at regular intervals.

I've been climbing on one for a few years now, I had that same bridge on mine. I converted to the Liger after the first recall with the rings. I'm using a piece of Neolite with anchor hitches. I run a hitch climber pulley on the bridge to lessen the bend on the rope and it makes a super sweet smooth ride that can accommodate multiple tie ins. I can't afford a new saddle so I made the Cougar into something I feel very safe in (thanks smiley)

16 strand rope is easy to inspect for fiber damage and it is a very easy and inexpensive to switch out the rope for the bridge.

sorry for the rant but it just got me thinking.
 
Totally unacceptable!

How can a Manufacturer sell a harness with a life supporting fiber that hasn't been tested for that specific application.

I'm glad there were no serious injuries, beside the concussion.

Weaver needs to "STEP UP".
 
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How old or how heavily used was that bridge?
That bridge looks pretty heavily used and old to me. I bought my Cougar in 2008 I think and it had that same bridge.

How often is everyone replacing their spliced or rope bridges?

Is your friend self employed or does he work for a company? I'm just curious what if any safety protocols that should be in place to help prevent accidents like this. I know documented safety programs are a lot of paperwork but if it helps pull and replace old bridges and equipment it is worth it. We are setting ours up now and I am definitely going to bring up implementing regular, documented gear inspections.

Employers have a responsibility to maintain safe working conditions for their employees and that should include mandating that equipment be inspected and replaced as needed (preferably at the employers expense [from a former business owner and current employees' perspective])

I am really glad to hear your friend is ok and really not glad to hear another Cougar related accident. though I don't think it's necessarily the fault of the manufacturer. Maybe slightly, by not educating their customers how to appropriately inspect gear and the need to replace certain components at regular intervals.

I've been climbing on one for a few years now, I had that same bridge on mine. I converted to the Liger after the first recall with the rings. I'm using a piece of Neolite with anchor hitches. I run a hitch climber pulley on the bridge to lessen the bend on the rope and it makes a super sweet smooth ride that can accommodate multiple tie ins. I can't afford a new saddle so I made the Cougar into something I feel very safe in (thanks smiley)

16 strand rope is easy to inspect for fiber damage and it is a very easy and inexpensive to switch out the rope for the bridge.

sorry for the rant but it just got me thinking.

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Makes full sense I have a sequoia and have occasionally changed out the webbing for 16 strand arbormaster and 16 strand safety blue using double fishermans. I also used hitchclimber and sometimes a pinto, I loved the smoothness but I just could'nt feel safe as I kept checking bend radius which was'nt so bad as if I clipped in with a biner. I might try this again a the webbing bridge is approaching a year. I do like the webbing bridge as it was tested by Petzl. Paul.
 
I've lost all respect for weaver. I won't be buying anything from them from here on out. Can't trust them cant climb with them.
 
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who wants to start a ban weaver products thread like the one about kong?

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Sometimes I forget you are just a kid. But then you write something like this to remind me.

I agree with Tom, let's not go nuts. Let's inspect the gear we trust our lives with. If Weaver is at fault, I will never buy anything from them.

SZ
 
Nice to hear that your friend should recover well...This bridge issue is terrible. I bought a cougar a few years ago, and the failed bridge in your photo looks like the original bridge that was recalled. The replacement I got had a black sheath.
I used that cougar until I stepped up to a Treemotion a week ago, which I truly appreciate.
It's just a reminder that inspection is a vital part of EVERY climb, along with a record of use to keep track of cycles to failure. Always have a suitable replacement on hand, and if desired, just thread in a second bridge (a bit looser) as a back-up.
Be aware, and be safe everyone!
 
I agree with Tom and Easy on this. The recalled bridges had a red core and this one didn't, so it may have been the replacement bridge. I just bought a Cougar a month or so ago, and like it very much. I tried the Cougar and the Puma side by side and the Cougar fit me better. I am concerned about the outcome of this because I am, let's say a full figured climber, so it is a serious issue. I certainly inspect the bridge each time I put it on. I am also glad Nate is doing well and his injuries were not more serious. Climb safe!
 
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Stop and take a look at gear maintenance.

How old was this bridge?

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I agree. Attached picture is of an old WarpSpeed bridge I climbed on, maybe 5 years ago. It was before I even thought of "cycles to failure" or even that it is easy to keep my bridge new. Not to mention - inexpensive.

Just never thought about it... the bridge did look a "little old" when I finally figured I should replace.

We installed this old bridge on a chainsaw - as a lanyard. Just to remind myself that important things need attention.
 

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Unatool you got to be kidding me you climbed off of that you are definitely more man than me I would'nt go near that ugly thing. Paul.
crazy.gif
 
Any old bridge can fail. If bridge over a few years old than this is not weavers fault. I took some of the 5 mm tech cord and strung it around my butterfly. 5000 lbs breaking strength. This backs up the bridge and the possibility of the shackles loosening and doesn't inhibit bridge function. Replace bridges regularly.
 
thanks Tom.

Does anyone know of a smaller company on the east coast that can compete with the big arborist supply store for saddle sales?
 
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