How To Use Safety Harnesses
A safety harness is made to secure the user against the vertical or near-vertical surface during work, recreation or rescue activities. A harness secures the wearer to a tree, rock face, belay partner or scaffold stand. The harness is a combination of rugged nylon webbing, containment straps, fasteners and carabiner loops. When the harness is properly fit and employed, risks of falls or accidents are mitigated. Any situation requiring a safety harness comes with inherent risk. It is imperative you receive proper training in climbing, rescue and gear use prior to heading out with the gear.
Instructions
Fit
1.Measure your waist and chest, using a tape measure. Use your pants' size for the waist measurement, if you already know your size. If not, measure your waist by wrapping the tape measure around the waist near your navel and reading the inch notation at the connection of the tape ends. Measure your chest by wrapping the tape around the torso, just under your nipples. Read the measurement for your chest the same way you did for your waist.
2.Select a harness in your recommended size. Because harness makers use different sizing parameters, consult the manufacturer's sizing chart for the proper size.
3.Step into the harness' leg loops like a pair of pants. Pull the harness up to your waist, and then bring the waist straps together. If there is a sternum strap and shoulder straps, pull them on like a jacket, and connect the sternum strap across the chest. Mechanisms vary on straps and harnesses, but most connecting clips have a male and female end. Push them together and listen for an audible click indicating the connection has been made and is secure.
4.Attach the locking carabiner in the waist strap's carabiner loop, found at the center of the waist strap above the crotch. Turn the locking carabiner's gate all the way clockwise and then turn it counterclockwise 1/4 turn. Carabiners are metal D-clips. Locking carabiners have a gate that has a barrel that locks the gate closed, preventing unwanted gate openings.
5.Tighten all straps for a snug fit. Have a rescue or activity buddy check the harness, ensuring that all straps are connected and all loops are tight. This is a safety redundancy and is highly recommended.
6.Thread the rope through the locking carabiner via a double figure-eight knot. If belaying or rappelling, attach the rappel device (a figure eight, XTC or Gris-Gris) to the carabiner and thread the rope up through the device (Different devices have different threading methods. Consult your device's manual for specifics).
7.Connect your harness to an anchor or belay device -- a small device that sets the rope to the harness and allows it to thread out, but brakes on its own if a fall occurs -- if you are on your own. Use a carabiner and webbing loop as the connecting anchor to secure to the stand, pole or wall. If using the harness on a self-belay, connect it to a Gris-Gris via the locking carabiner. Common uses of a solo harness include connecing to a hunting stand or to scaffolding on buildings. Use a carabiner to connect the harness to the anchor.
8.If rappelling with the harness, lean back so the harness forms an "airborne" seat. Let the harness straps disperse your body weight, and then lean back as if sitting in a recliner. The harness will be used in a similar manner for rock climbing and tree climbing.
Instructions
Fit
1.Measure your waist and chest, using a tape measure. Use your pants' size for the waist measurement, if you already know your size. If not, measure your waist by wrapping the tape measure around the waist near your navel and reading the inch notation at the connection of the tape ends. Measure your chest by wrapping the tape around the torso, just under your nipples. Read the measurement for your chest the same way you did for your waist.
2.Select a harness in your recommended size. Because harness makers use different sizing parameters, consult the manufacturer's sizing chart for the proper size.
3.Step into the harness' leg loops like a pair of pants. Pull the harness up to your waist, and then bring the waist straps together. If there is a sternum strap and shoulder straps, pull them on like a jacket, and connect the sternum strap across the chest. Mechanisms vary on straps and harnesses, but most connecting clips have a male and female end. Push them together and listen for an audible click indicating the connection has been made and is secure.
4.Attach the locking carabiner in the waist strap's carabiner loop, found at the center of the waist strap above the crotch. Turn the locking carabiner's gate all the way clockwise and then turn it counterclockwise 1/4 turn. Carabiners are metal D-clips. Locking carabiners have a gate that has a barrel that locks the gate closed, preventing unwanted gate openings.
5.Tighten all straps for a snug fit. Have a rescue or activity buddy check the harness, ensuring that all straps are connected and all loops are tight. This is a safety redundancy and is highly recommended.
6.Thread the rope through the locking carabiner via a double figure-eight knot. If belaying or rappelling, attach the rappel device (a figure eight, XTC or Gris-Gris) to the carabiner and thread the rope up through the device (Different devices have different threading methods. Consult your device's manual for specifics).
7.Connect your harness to an anchor or belay device -- a small device that sets the rope to the harness and allows it to thread out, but brakes on its own if a fall occurs -- if you are on your own. Use a carabiner and webbing loop as the connecting anchor to secure to the stand, pole or wall. If using the harness on a self-belay, connect it to a Gris-Gris via the locking carabiner. Common uses of a solo harness include connecing to a hunting stand or to scaffolding on buildings. Use a carabiner to connect the harness to the anchor.
8.If rappelling with the harness, lean back so the harness forms an "airborne" seat. Let the harness straps disperse your body weight, and then lean back as if sitting in a recliner. The harness will be used in a similar manner for rock climbing and tree climbing.
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