Tragic irony: On Sept 11, 2022, JRB released this video, and on that same day, the saddle hunting community lost a brother and a friend who died in a tree. This video is dedicated to Dane.
Please consider your responsibilities: After an accident happens, whether to yourself or a friend, it is haunting to realize that knowledge you posses could have prevented it. Please get yourself safe and then help a friend.
Ten Rules for Saddle Hunting Climbing Safety
This video describes JRB’s ten rules which every tree climber should consider, regardless of your climbing method.
- Tie In, and stay tied in for the entire climb. A Lineman’s Belt is NOT an adequate tie-in.
- Buy In, buy good gear from a good supplier.
- Homework, do your research, from CREDIBLE sources.
- Tree: Consider the tree, and look for hazards above you in all nearby trees, particularly dead branches.
- Manage Slack, less than a foot at all times.
- Strength; the strength of each component must be much greater than the working load.
- Inspect all parts your systems, including friction hitches, metal fatigue, etc.
- Practice; your climbing, and everything you do or might need to do in a safe environment.
- Consider the Stability of all parts of the system.
- Consider Murphy’s Law. If it can go wrong, it will. Every climber has a potentially unique system. Analyze YOUR climbing system and THINK about everything that COULD go wrong and have a plan when it DOES go wrong. Add redundancy where you can!