Have you ever pondered how to make a safety harness?
If you have ever spent any time in a tree stand, you have likely found yourself frightened at the prospect of a fall.
This makes the use of a safety harness vital.
Why Use A Harness?
The use of a safety harness while in a treestand is a measure of safety, no different than wearing your seatbelt while in a vehicle.
If an accident occurs, a harness can, and will, save your life.
A fall from as little as ten feet can be fatal, with falls from 15 feet or greater almost always resulting in disastrous consequences.
Falls occur for many reasons and no one, even experienced hunters, are immune from such instances.
Falling asleep while in the stand, slipping on slick surfaces, or simply losing your footing are among some of the most common reasons that falls take place.
Wearing a safety harness tethers a hunter to their tree, thereby stopping a fall, should a misstep be taken.
Why a Homemade Harness?
Although several commercial safety harness offerings exist on the market today, some individuals choose to make their DIY version of a fall arrest system.
There are some valid reasons for this to take place, and when done properly.
Fashioning your own harness is every bit as safe as the use of store-bought options.
More control
Some hunters choose to make their own harnesses to be able to control aspects of comfort.
This allow them to move more freely, should a shot opportunity arise.
More lightweight
Other hunters prefer homemade harnesses due to their lightweight characteristics.
This can be especially valuable to individuals who hunt on public land where walks to a tree of choice can be lengthy.
Additionally, some hunters appreciate the thought of being in total control of their safety, instead of relying on a mass-produced product to protect them from a fall.
How To Make A Safety Harness From Rope - DIY:
Making a safety harness does not necessarily have to be difficult.
However, proper care should be taken to follow the needed steps for completing the task safely and efficiently.
Notice:
As with any form of treestand use, a hunter assumes a certain level of risk when leaving the ground and ascending to their perch. This is no different when fashioning your own safety harness. These steps are provided in a manner as to supply readers with a basis of thought for building their own safety harness. Archerytopic.com assumes no liability for injuries that occur when using a homemade safety harness, whether under the guidance of the steps provided below, or under your own accord.
What You Need:
1. Measure Rope For Length:
You will begin by cutting your initial segment of rope to length. This is accomplished by holding one end of the rope in your right hand, and the free segment of rope in your left.
Form a U-shape with the rope by holding each hand fully extended in the air, with enough slack in the rope that the bottom of this U-shape reaches to your feet.
The length of the rope from hand to hand is what will be needed for the base of your harness and should be marked accordingly.
2. Cut Your Rope:
You will cut your rope off at the length that you previously marked. Once the rope is cut, both ends should be lightly heated with a lighter to prevent fraying.
3. Begin Forming Your Seat:
You will now take your length of rope and double the two ends over on themselves, essentially folding the rope in half, forming a loop.
You will now pass the loop between your legs from the rear forward.
Now move both free ends of the loop that are behind you, around each thigh, and forward until they meet the loop in front of your body.
4. Pass The Ends Through Loop:
Next, take each end of the rope and pull them through the loop, pulling both ends tight.
5. Wrap Both Ends Back Around Your Body:
You will now take each end of the rope and pass them around each side of your body, ultimately meeting again in the middle of your back.
6. Cross The Rope:
Take both ends of the rope and cross them under one another behind your back. Then bring each end of the rope back in front of your midsection.
7. Tie Off Rope:
You will now tie the two ends of the rope off in a square knot. For added safety, additionally tie each tail end of the rope off in a half hitch knot, preventing the ends from pulling through your initial square knot.
8. Cut Rope For Tether:
You will now begin by cutting off an additional segment of rope at a length of approximately 6 feet. Once again, heat each end with a lighter to prevent fraying.
9. Tie One End Of Tether:
You will now take one end of your rope and tie a figure-eight knot, leaving a looped end for the other end of your tether to pass through.
Tie a safety knot directly behind your figure-eight knot to prevent the ends from pulling through.
10. Tie Other End For Carabiner:
You will now tie the opposite end of your rope in identical fashion, with a figure-eight knot, backed up by a safety knot.
11. Secure Your Carabiner:
Your carabiner will now be clasped into the resulting loop on one end of your tether rope.
12. Tie Into Tree:
Once you have ascended to your stand, you will loop your tether around the tree at a height that is just above head-level.
The end of your tether that features the carabiner will be pulled through the loop at the opposite end.
You will now pull all of the slack out of your tether, and clip it into the seat of your harness at the rearmost portion of your waist.
This harness does not feature shoulder straps. However, over-the-shoulder straps can be tied in as desired and anchored for personal fit at the waistline.
Homemade Harness Made Simple:
Now that you know how to make a safety harness, you will be better equipped to head into the woods safely.
With strict adherence to safety, your life can be spared in the event of an accident. Feel free to comment, or ask any questions that you might have.
