[Towertalk] harness question

[K7LXC@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/10/02 11:45:17 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
litwins@badsector.com writes:

> I am learning abt climbing harnesses.  I have always used my old pole/tree
>  equipment from Klein, but now see that to be completely safe I need a full
>  body harness.  Now...having said that, I need some help with the function 
of
>  full harness parts.  I am considering buying an integrated full body 
harness
>  that included the belt (tool/body) and a wide web to sit on for extended
>  periods up the tower.  The question is about the function of the front
>  D-ring at the chest.  I understand all the other D-ring uses but do not 
know
>  what the chest D-ring is used for.  We are talking 6 D-rings on a full body
>  harnesses here.  One in the back  = fall-arrest.  Two on the belt =
>  positioning.  Two on the seat strap = to hang the seat.  Is the one on the
>  chest just an extra measure of safety?

    The D-ring in front is used by tower climbers when going up a ladder 
safety climb cable. It's real convenient to hook the cable grip on the cable 
and then the front D-ring so it's out of your way when you're climbing up or 
down. If you don't have or use the safety climb cable system, you probably 
don't need the feature. 

    OTOH it *could* be used with a lanyard to be secured as you're climbing 
on any tower. My suggestion would be that in this case it's kind of redundant 
as you can use your fall arrest lanyard that hooks to the D-ring between your 
shoulder blades to do the same thing making the front one extra and in the 
way. 

    You also pay extra for all those features. My recommendation is to keep 
it simple and NOT create potential confusion by having four waist D-rings. 
It's fine if you're a professional, know the difference without even thinking 
about it, and work in it 8 hours a day so you need the comfort but for your 
typical occasional ham climber, I wouldn't recommend it. Correct me if I'm 
wrong.

Cheers,
Steve     K7LXC
TOWER TECH - 
Professional tower services for industry and amateurs