Most carabiners are not rated for fall arrest. Unless yours
is, I wouldn't use it as a life-saving device. Also, be sure
your front D-ring is rated for fall-arrest as well if that's
what you are using it for. Some harnesses can only use the
back D-ring for fall arrest.
I climb with a full-body fall arrest harness and a positioning
belt (and a helmet.) The big D ring of the *back* of the harness
sports two three foot lanyards with gorilla hooks. These are used
while climbing as follows:
- Attach one hook overhead to a brace
- Climb utill that hook is just above my foot
- Attach the other hook overhead, just like before
- Release the lower one
- Repeat
Then, when I'm in position, I use BOTH climbimg lanyards as fall
restraints, each clipped to a different brace. A third lanyard on
the belt allows me to position as necessary to do the the work.
I climbed with just a positioning belt for years. I will not
do tower work anymore without a fall-restraint harness and helmet.
Tower work for me is filled with moments of fatigue and frustration.
I don't enjoy it, and do it only when I have to (contesting.) Knowing
that I'm climbing and working safely makes the chore just a little more
tolerable. I want to keep contesting for years to come. A few more
minutes spent per climb is worth it to me.
-Kirk K4RO
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