lifeline/safety line questions!?!?!

PA.native

hey guys, im looking to make some safety lines for my deerstands this year. I plan on running a lifeline from 5 feet above my stand platform to the ground, and having a Prusik (or similar sliding knot) to hook into so im always attached to the tree

but i have a few questions. I was planning on using 11mm rope as the main line then having about 7mm cord for the Prusik.....Then someone told me about webbing, that its stronger and lighter than regular rope. What do you think of using webbing for the main line? I also read that a prusik wont slide right on webbing so ill need a different knot that does the same thing as a prusik, but works on webbing.

do you suggest the webbing or the regular rope for the main line?

windsurfslice

rope all the way. for a lifeline get something with stretch. (not gonna be much on such a short line) secure with a bowline on follow through if single rope. tie in with a prussik or distel maybe take an extra turn (doesn't need tending, grabs consistently, cuz you're gonna be stationary) and a slack tender so you can move a bit if needed. Id stay away from webbing for this application. I don't know all your details, but if you are asking these type of questions you might have a lot of background info to gather in terms of how to make this set-up safe. I'd check out "tree climbers companion"

PA.native

if any additional inof would help just ask the questions and ill answer, thanks

Eric Frei

What sort of harness will you have? Like many that are full body or behind the shoulder attachment point are designed as fall arrest not work positioning. Imagine trying to use a prussik or GriGri for a behind the back attachment point.

Likely a prusik on single rope will jam if you try to come down, could be better off with a GriGri..... but can be awkward to advance (collect the slack) when climbing up.

Doubled rope (DRT) would work better for a prussik so perhaps look higher up the tree and go over a branch.

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