Something I keep seeing at tree removals with rope access

Too many guys are tying their friction hitch right onto their carabiner without a proper stopper knot underneath. You lose tension for even a second and that hitch can slide right off the end. Has anyone else noticed this becoming more common on job sites?

2 comments

2 Comments

mason.mary29d ago

Wait do people seriously not tie a stopper knot under their friction hitch? That's terrifying honestly lol I've seen some sketchy stuff on sites but that's like asking for trouble. One little slip or a branch hitting your line just right and your whole system goes to crap real fast. It takes like two seconds to throw an overhand on a bight below the carabiner, no excuse not to do it. I'd be walking off site if I saw a guy setting up like that, not worth breaking your back over someone else's laziness.

amyb5429d ago

Water knot failure in webbing happens different than rope, and I've seen guys use that stuff for friction hitches without a backup knot way too often. A stopper knot below your carabiner also keeps your hitch from riding up and jamming against your pulley on a long descent, which is a pain most people don't think about till it happens. Even if you trust your knot tying, a backup is cheap insurance against a stray stick or your system getting bumped weird during a retrieval.