Page Contents:
About Safety
There is a LOT of information on this page and subpages, and it will take a while to read and digest. Take your time, watch the videos and THINK about it. This information could prevent a serious injury or even save your life.
Click on this link to view the playlist on the channel dedicated to Safety, Recovery and Self-Rescue:
JRB’s Basic Safety Recommendations
“Safe” is an adjective… It’s subjective. After all, we could fall down and get hurt just walking down the steps. The bottom line is that there is risk in any type of climbing and we owe it to ourselves and our families to minimize our risk. Do not assume you are safe; make sure of it.
Accidents associated with climbing are the leading cause of injury to deer hunters. Although most are aware that falling is a hazard, many are unaware of the number of scenarios which can leave the hunter suspended in a fall arrest (or saddle), unable to get to the ground without being rescued. For example, consider the possibility of a collapse or malfunction of a platform, stick, step, ladder or treestand, or the means by which it is attached to the tree. Anyone in this situation who is incapable of executing a rappel in a timely fashion is at risk for suspension trauma, whereby lack of blood circulation can cause unconsciousness in as little as 30 minutes.
However, used properly, a hunting saddle can be used to eliminate both: 1) the possibility of a significant fall and 2) the possibility of getting stuck in a tree. However, they must have the right gear and proper knowledge. Below are some basic recommendations for saddle hunting safety, which pertain to ALL climbing methods:
- Start with a quality saddle, worn properly. Typical hunting saddles are equipped with 1) a “bridge” (the rope which connects to both hips/sides of the saddle), 2) a waist connection and 3) leg straps, which go around each leg individually and prevent the hunter from falling through the saddle in the event of a mishap. It is critical that the hunter is using a quality saddle from a reputable supplier, using quality components, rated for life-safety applications.
- A quality rope connects the hunter to the tree for the entirety of the climb. One end of the rope connects to the tree via a secure, anchored connection. As the name implies, an anchor is not easily destabilized out of its intended position, and there are several options to choose from. Note that a typical “lineman’s belt” does not choke/cinch on the tree and does not satisfy this requirement. A triple action carabiner connects the bridge of the saddle to a moveable friction hitch/device on the rope. Although most saddle hunters have this connection during the hunt, many fail to recognize the danger in omitting this connection during any portion of the ascent or descent.
- The connection between the hunter and the tree must have an absolute minimum amount of slack at all times. At a minimum, regardless of climbing technique, after each step upward, all slack must be removed from the connection. In the event of a foot slip or failure of the device which is providing footing, the resulting fall should never be more than a few inches.
- A “lifeline” is preferred over a “tether”. A lifeline is a longer rope than a “tether” and is preferred, simply because it is long enough to allow the hunter to get to the ground, even with nothing underfoot.
- Do not climb past the anchor. Many saddle hunters will climb until their anchor at their knees or lower, allowing the potential of fall of several feet, which can generate enough force to cause a broken back.
- A rappel plan is mandatory. Even if the hunter prefers to descend out of the tree another way, due to the ever-present danger of a loss of footing, the hunter should be capable of executing a rappel (getting to the ground using only the rope) if necessary. This requires knowledge, practice, and the use of a connection to the rope which can be used to execute a controlled transition into rappel. Some of the most popular mechanical friction devices used by saddle hunters to NOT meet this requirement and pose a significant risk.
Safety Factor
Safety Factor is a term often used in characterizing climbing systems and components. The safety factory is a ratio, specifically of the Breaking Strength (or MBS) of a component divided by the Working Load. Examples:
- A rope with a 4000 lb MBS is supporting a load of 200 pounds. 4000 divided by 200 = 20.
- A friction hitch is constructed from cord with MBS of 2000 lb. The load is 200lb, which is evenly weighted on two strands, so 100 lb per strand. 2000 divided by 100 = 20.
- A friction hitch is constructed from cord with MBS of 2000lb. The hitch is 200lb, which is evenly weighted on four strands, so 50 per strand. 2000 divided by 50 = 40.
The appropriate safety factor for an application varies. For example, a treestand or ladder typically has much lower safety factor than a climbing rope. Rationale: a ladder won’t carry much more than the working load, even if the climber carried something or bounced on the ladder. In contrast, a Climbing Rope might absorb a fall, whereby the actual load could be many times the working load due to the acceleration of gravity, and associated velocity and kinetic energy of the falling object. Additionally, a rope system typically involves knots or friction devices with strength lower than that of the rope itself.
Safety Self Assessment
Regardless how you climb, you can perform a safety self-evaluation of your system/method using the information on this page:
Ten Rules for Climbing Safety
Ten Misconceptions in Climb Safety
Source of Advice
When getting “advice” from a fellow saddle hunter, be aware that there are plenty of folks who meet one of these descriptions:
- They don’t know they are unsafe. They like what they are doing and assume they are safe because “it works” and they haven’t had a problem with it.
- They are just following the crowd. “Everybody does it this way, so it must be safe.”
- They are selling something. There is nothing for sale on this website. If you need to purchase anything, you will be directed to reputable products and sources.
Here are some things you might hear and a potential response:
| What you might hear: | Response: | |
| 1 | I have never had a problem with it. | Ok but is it possible to have a problem? And would you be ok? Make sure all foreseeable problems have been anticipated and mitigated. |
| 2 | If I slipped or my footing device collapsed, I could get hurt. | That’s a problem. Eventually, if we can slip, we will. Our safety should never be dependent on our footing. |
| 3 | If my hand slipped off of something, I might get hurt. | That’s a problem. We should be able to let go of everything, at any time, and not be hurt. |
| 4 | Be careful not to drop it. | Anything we need for our safety must be “undroppable”. |
| 5 | You gotta trust your equipment. | Trust is earned. Critical components have a guarantee or an MBS… or a backup. |
| 6 | I can’t carry all that rope… | Everyone needs a rope that reaches the ground. Carrying the optimal amount of rope allows us to climb quicker, easier and safer than any other method. |
| 7 | That was just bad luck. | Luck represents risk. Risks have been mitigated. |
| 8 | Ya can’t worry about every little detail… | Wrong. We have to consider every detail. That’s how accidents happen. |
| 9 | I use a Lineman’s belt… | Ok, so get up there and step off your stick a dozen times. Sound stupid? It is… a Lineman’s belt is not a fall prevention device. |
| 10 | Rope climbing looks difficult… | Some methods are. But have you tried JRB? JRB has done it carrying 100 pounds. Can you do that on a stick? |
Hazards & Mitigations
In order to ensure your safety, we must identify and mitigate the hazards (the things that could foreseeably go wrong). The following hazards should be considered regardless of the climbing method / system in use:
| The Hazard | The Mitigation | |
| 1 | Falling, whether all the way to the ground or just a few feet. | The BRIDGE of the saddle must ALWAYS be tied into the tree and on minimal slack. |
| 2 | Getting stuck in a tree where we can’t get to the ground, typically after something went wrong. | Use a lifeline (not a tether) and remain on it at all times. Have a redundant bridge and know how transfer weight and to rappel on a Munter. |
| 3 | Equipment failure | Use backups / redundancy for foreseeable failures, including our bridge and friction devices or hitches. Have emergency supplies for repairs. |
| 4 | Falling objects: branches, trees, throwball, etc. | Survey the tree & scene carefully. Consider the use of a helmet. |
| 5 | Foot slip | Ensure your safety does not depend on your footing; Remain tied in and on low slack at all times. |
| 6 | Dropping something | Anything we NEED must not be droppable. It must be tethered to us or an integral part of our system. |
| 7 | Slippery Ropes due to rain, freezing rain, snow, ice, etc. | Friction hitches may need one extra wrap to hold in wet conditions. Add redundancy for moving points of connection. (Garda Hitch + Redundant Bridge) |
| 8 | Friction device is stuck | Whether it is stuck, jammed or frozen to the rope due to ice, have a redundant bridge and footloop and be able to abandon the device. |
Common Mistakes
| Don’t Make these Mistakes | |
| 1 | Don’t assume you are safe because you haven’t had a problem. Assume anything that is reasonably possible will happen. |
| 2 | Don’t assume you won’t experience a loss of footing. It can happen for so many reasons. Instead: Never depend on your feet. Be prepared for it. Always remain anchored the tree via your BRIDGE. |
| 3 | Don’t assume a Lineman’s Belt will save you in the event of a mishap. Instead: Use an Anchor. |
| 4 | Don’t climb without a cinching anchor. Anchor at all times. |
| 5 | Don’t allow more than a foot of slack in your anchor. Manage it. |
| 6 | Don’t advance your anchor up the tree. If you are advancing it, then it’s not cinched. Alternate your anchors instead. |
Gear Check
These items are all covered on separate pages. Make sure you are using rated, tested gear from reputable suppliers… and TRIPLE action carabiners (not screw-gates).
What Can We Trust?
This is a decision that every climber needs to make for themselves. JRB has selected these as the things he trusts with his life. (See the Dictionary page if any of the terms are unfamiliar.)
- A live, healthy tree. It’s our responsibility to inspect it and check for nearby hazards such as dead branches or trees.
- A rated, inspected rope
- A quality saddle from a reputable manufacturer
- A rated, triple action carabiner or rappel ring
- A rappel ring
- A secure suspension point, or method anchor into the tree. Choices:
- a doubled rope over a strong crotch (for DSRT or MRS)
- a canopy anchor formed on a strong crotch (for SRT)
- a secure anchor affixed to the the trunk (various scenarios)
- a basal anchor used in conjunction with a strong crotch (for SRT)
What needs a backup / redundancy?
For JRB, everything which is NOT on the list above, JRB recommends that we should have fail-safe mechanisms (redundancy) built into our system. This includes:
- Anything our feet are on, anticipating a slip, collapse, break or other failure.
- Anything moveable or adjustable, including mechanical devices and friction hitches.
- The bridge on our saddle. This is not because may be adjustable. Bridge redundancy is also needed if we are stuck on one bridge (with no footing) and need to transfer over to the other one. It also makes rappel easier.
Safety Videos / Scenarios
Self Rescue After Loss of Footing
Consider that components that we put our feet on could experience a failure, or we could slip off of them. We need to be prepared to recover from that situation. Remember: It doesn’t matter if you haven’t experienced this situation; it matters that you could.
SRT & Garda Hitch Footloop, Four Recovery Scenarios
The following video is relevant to any SRT method (including JRB Hitch Climbing) where the JRB Garda Hitch Footloop is employed.
DSRT Failure Modes & Mitigations
Although this video is specific to JRB’s DSRT method, no matter how you climb, watching this video may give you scenarios to consider in evaluating Murphy’s Law as it applies to your own climbing systems and methods.
Safety Toolbox
Below are some items for our Safety Tool Box.
Midline Munter Loop
Another tool that JRB discovered for self recovery scenarios… and you already know how to tie it.
One Handed Hedden Knot
The following video shows how a reliable friction hitch can be created using a Prusik Loop, and can be tied with only one hand.
Emergency Gear
When we consider Murphy’s Law, anticipating everything that could go wrong will require we carry some emergency supplies. In the video below (on DSRT Failure Modes), JRB outlines what he carries in his emergency gear bag, which is kept in his left saddle bag, inside a zip-lock plastic bag. We need our emergency gear on our body at all times, not in a backpack which could be dropped or out of reach. Here are things JRB typically carries:
- Either: A length of cord, a pretied Longhorn Hitch, or a Prusik Loop. Rationale: we might need to replace a friction hitch.
- A spare carabiner
- A small knife (for emergencies only)
- A spare flashlight
- Optional: A spare length of paracord, for leaving an unplanned paracord preset in a new tree.
- Optional: A spare rappel ring for leaving an unplanned floating anchor in a new tree.
Depending on your situation, you might consider other items, such as a whistle, compass, map, batteries, and written instructions or lists. Also, some climbers prefer to wear their emergency knife on a neck lanyard, but please consider that you might forget to put it on!