[TowerTalk] safety and positioning harnesses

[Ed Kucharski]

I'm putting up a new tower (AN Wireless HD60 with the DBI/SALA lifeline 
system) soon - as soon as wx and schedules permit.  I want to get a new 
harness to accommodate the lifeline system and to provide a higher level of 
safety and comfort (I hate to climb - some kind of phobia, I guess).  I 
presently have an ONV harness with the back, chest, and 2 side D-rings but 
no waist strap which seems to always give me a backache even after a short 
time on my existing tower (Rohn 25).  Previously I used a standard 
lineman's belt which was comfortable but without the added safety features 
of a full body harness.

I searched the towertalk archives and ended up ordering 2 recommended 
harness which I have since returned due to improper fit.  The first was the 
Petzl Vario harness which was very comfortable but because I'm short 
waisted (the distance from my waist to shoulders is shorter than most - I'm 
5ft.8in.) the back-pad D-ring came up over my shoulders with lots of slack 
in the straps regardless of how I adjusted them.  The other minor problem 
with this harness is the D-rings are smaller than on my lineman belt or ONV 
harness and I can see some fumbling around trying to get the positioning 
lanyard attached once I reach work height.  The other harness was a 
DBI/SALA cross over harness with front, back and 2 side D-rings and a nice 
padded wide waist belt.  Unfortunately I had the same problem with this 
harness with too much slack in the shoulder/back straps even when fully 
adjusted.

I'm looking for suggestions for a full body harness with a back, front and 
2 side D-rings that will accommodate my short waist torso that is 
comfortable, safe and easy to put on.  I have done several internet 
searches and came up with a few possibilities but thought that I would ask 
here first to see if anyone has had similar experiences with harness fit 
and found a solution.
Any suggestions will be appreciated!

73,
Ed K3DNE