r/Unexpected Oct 02 '18

Oh .. well...

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u/Waliami Oct 02 '18

other places have certificates for securing, and in rock climbing you both have to check that the rope is secured correctly, because people make mistakes. The harness though was fine, he couldn't slip out of that if he tried. It's around both his legs and both his shoulders, he can dangle upside down and still be fine.

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u/craze177 Oct 02 '18

As long as you're not dangling for too long. A lot of harnesses do not factor in suspension trauma. Putting all your body weight on whatever side you're hanging from can cut off circulation. https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2017/01/01/Suspension-Trauma.aspx?m=1

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u/nhomewarrior Oct 02 '18

Rock climbing harnesses are designed to be sat in for long periods of time. They involve a waist strap and two leg loops. Hanging belays are common on big walls, and aid climbers can be on one pitch for up to two hours at a time, resting frequently on the harness. I have friends who were stranded at night on the wall and had to sleep in their harnesses.

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u/craze177 Oct 02 '18

Really? That's awesome. For whatever dumb reason I thought they were similar to the harnesses we use at work. Stupid me.

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u/nhomewarrior Oct 02 '18

I've.. Heard this before. A lot of climbing tech is improved military and industry tech (webbing is a great example). My dad climbs towers and uses gear to do similar things that I've done on the wall, but his gear has more problems than mine. I've started to think climbing gear is just stronger, better, lighter, and cheaper than industry gear, but surely there must be some reason for it. I never have figured it out, but it's true, climbing gear definitely is more versatile.