Web bridge and Limb fail

[ARLO]

Just finished the gear work a few days ago and collected my 2% bonus. It's about time to start knocking out some tree work. When are we going to climb some giants?

Our GIS guy says he has several big ones that are about 300' based on the LIDAR data. If you want to run up here and help measure one of them you would be most welcome to help out. I will get back to you in a day or two once I figure out our schedule and check with the rain gods.

 

[RopeShield]

Couple pics.
1. precarious
2. finishing up prune on the lead with the failed horizontal

 

[Bucknut]

They both look precarious. I find certain situations call for a pole saw or pruner.

Speaking of saddle malfunctions, I once had a vertical stub, maybe 1/2 inch diameter, jam up into my old Buckingham belt style waist closure. Didn't realize it, took a step sideways and my whole saddle straight up dropped to my knees. It just unbuckled the belt. Luckily I was pruning a Bradford, so I was only up maybe 10 feet. Got my attention though.

Glad you weren't hurt.

 

[ARLO]

Just finished the gear work a few days ago and collected my 2% bonus. It's about time to start knocking out some tree work. When are we going to climb some giants?

Give me a call (541-760-6339). Looked at a nice one today that we will be climbing some time in the next couple of weeks. Will try to do it on a half-way nice day so we don't get soaked.

 

[treewill]

Holy crap that is the craziest story I have heard in a while. Glad you dodged the bullet! I have a kolibri I use as a removals saddle and I find this concerning to say the least.

I've attached a picture of the termination of the webbing bridge on a kolibri. You can see that it goes through both parts of the buckle and then doubles back over the top. This is an extremely common design that is used on most rock climbing harnesses, and every year there are fatalities from rock climbers who forget to double back the webbing on the waistbelt of their harness.

Is it possible that you forgot to double back the webbing on the bridge? Did your bridge have the manufacturer's back stitching on the end? I just now tried to pull mine out and gave up after about 10 minutes. It's hard for me to imagine how it could come out on it's own.

 

[RopeShield]

Here is a pic of the original bridge. Notice the fold marks, lock stich and glue. The replacement bridge that slipped was not glued or lock stitched. Bad judgement thought I could manage it that way till I redid a rope bridge. Was never meant to be Permanent.
Hope we learn. Knots, buckles etc are not absolute
I believe it's possible the rope bridge with knots to hold is not enough. Rope bridges should be lock stitched as well.
Also there is an improvement to double back buckles and that is the webbing can be double back so the tail is captured in the interior.

 

[Daniel]

Dang that is way too close a call to feel so close to home (be it in cyberspace or not)... You're scaring me (us ) big time... Just another reminder how it could happen to any of us on pretty much any day... that's the profession we've chosen.. the only thing that keeps us coming home at night is US.. Learn the rules, play by them, and keep your focus on safety every minute of the day... Thanks for sharing....