GriGri 2 ascender users

[Tique]

Been reading all the posts I can find about treestand safety. Tippit's post about using the GriGri 2 to get safely to the ground after a fall sounds like a great idea. The only concern I have is will it stop a fall. Reading the GriGri 2 details say that both hands must be on the rope, one above and one below the device. If I fall I doubt I'll have time to grab either one especially with the rope attached to my harness behind me. If you have one how does it work? Details of your set-up will also be helpful.

[Jasper2]

Can't help you on the GriGri2 operation but you can accomplish the same thing with a few basic friction knots. Especially since you will rarely, if ever need it. Whoever started using prusik knots on lifelines should be castrated! As they obviously have never tried to move one after it has been loaded with someones body weight.....

[Jasper2]

A couple of other points to consider if you haven't already. Most of the safety harnesses today are made to leave you hanging until help arrives. Self rescue on the other hand requires a little different thought process and preparation to get it right.

I've taken falls and hung from various HSS harness models just to simulate a fall and it is not fun in any of them. Two things were always a problem for me 1. Most tethers are way too long and 2. You usually end up facing away from the tree which adds another level of difficulty.

My solution has been to switch to a Kestrel tree saddle as my "safety harness". You can hang in it for hours with no fear of suspension trauma, the connection point is in the front where it belongs, and you can make the tether whatever length you need to be able to reach it after a fall.  The fact that you can lean out on the edge of your stand and shoot 360 degrees is just a bonus!

[Trenton G.]

I generally tighten my strap (I use a life line) so that it just starts to tighten when I'm sitting. It still gives me plenty of room to move, but if I fall, I'm still pretty much on the stand platform.
I also use ladder stands so I can easily swing over and grab the ladder.

[Jasper2]

That's a real good plan Trenton but remember, statistically you're more likely to fall during your climb and/or during the transition to the platform so plan for that.

[Trenton G.]

That's a real good plan Trenton but remember, statistically you're more likely to fall during your climb and/or during the transition to the platform so plan for that.

That's what the life line does. You are attached to it from the moment you leave the ground. You slide it up with you as you go. If you happen to slip, it grabs and won't slide.

[Jasper2]

I understand and use them myself but I have seen many guys use them improperly by leaving them too low as they move up the ladder (like around waist or chest high), if they slip, that is a long fall and you will get spun backwards in a flash!

[Machino]

I'll chime in.  I am a longtime rock climber, rigger, and use to be tower climber.  I have used the grigri 1 and 2, petzl stop, petzl traction, and micro traction, ushba ascender, among a bunch of other things.  Just giving some validation for my opinion.

The grigri does not need hands on the rope to stop a fall.  It does need a quick jerk.  The jerk activates the cam to pinch the rope.  Its similar in feel to a seat belt.  Pull it quickly and it holds.  Pull it slowly and it doesn't.  I actually took a bad fall climbing one time with the grigri.  Ill spare the details and jargon but I was climbing by myself(a practice most people don't do), and my instinct to grab the rope ABOVE the grigri (the anchor/top above your stand) didn't allow enough pressure for the cam to do its work.  It needs a quick force to close the cam on the rope.  In the climbing world, you always have a hand on the rope.  And that hand on the rope is below the grigri (ie the ground side).  It helps activate the cam.  A person hunting isn't going to grab the rope or the likelyhood is low. 

That said I would trust it 99 percent of the time.  I don't hunt from treesatnds.  My personal reaction as a person with lots of experience in the air is to use a prussic, a shock absorber(we call them screemers in the climbing world. the webbing with folds and stitches meant to break and lessen the shock), and a comfortable harness.  That will all be lighter than the grigri, quieter, less expensive, and essentially fail proof.  Also you need proper climbing rope generally between 9.8-12mm roughly.  The heavier weave nylon rope WONT do. 

If one is worried about the climb a petzl traxion would be another device.  Its self feeding, though with a tether you would need to push it up the rope.  This is what I use when climbing by myself these days.  I don't need to pull rope through like the grigri and the cam has teeth on it.  the rope will only slip one way.  This device you CAN NOT lower on.  Another consideration and possibly a reason not to use it.

[Tique]

Thanks for the comments and advise, all good. For the last couple years I have used a Black Diamond climbing harness with a safety rope, prussic and tether. In practice I've been able to get back on my stand, takes some effort but I've been able to do it. After reading some of the old posts I thought I might improve my set-up by adding a GriGri but after reading your comments and a little research I think I'll just continue with my old set-up.

Thanks, Tique

[tippit]

The GriGri2 does indeed stop a fall.  Even leaning out from the tree while on stand the GriGri2 will catch.  The problem I have with the Prussic knot is once you are hanging after a fall, you can't loosen/slide the prussic unless you take your weight off it.  So you are back to square one...just hanging on your safety line.

PS: The GriGri2 is expensive around a $100.  You can usually find it for $75 on sale.  You only need one as it is attached to your climbing harness (in front) or to the back of a tree stand/full harness.  You have to make sure it fits right behind your head on a tree stand/full harness so you can reach it while hanging on your life line.  Practice with it by hanging from a tree a few feet above the ground.  I climb a ladder then ease off to hang...tippit

[Jasper2]

Tippit is absolutely correct about the Prusik which is why I said that it is worthless on a lifeline if you plan on self rescue. If made of the correct diameter material and tied properly, a Blake's hitch can be lowered while loaded.

[Jasper2]

Another option is to run double Prusik knots and slide the bottom one down to put your foot in if you fall.

[Machino]

Honestly, if you have a ladder and a stand in the tree, i don't see why you couldn't climb back up to safety.  If you think you are going to be knocked out a grigri behind your head is going to be very hard to use.  I sure wouldn't want to hunt with a belay/rappel device in front of me.  If you use a good tether that can absorb shock and a comfortable harness you'll be fine.

I really feel you guys shouldn't be using that climbing gear.  it gives a false sense of security. And again, if you rig it behind you (which is the only way I can see hunting and shooting comfortably) you are gonna have a wicked time trying to get yourself down the way you want.  Use the prussic and a tether that absorbs shock.

[Jasper2]

Honestly, if you have a ladder and a stand in the tree, i don't see why you couldn't climb back up to safety.  If you think you are going to be knocked out a grigri behind your head is going to be very hard to use.  I sure wouldn't want to hunt with a belay/rappel device in front of me.  If you use a good tether that can absorb shock and a comfortable harness you'll be fine.

I really feel you guys shouldn't be using that climbing gear.  it gives a false sense of security. And again, if you rig it behind you (which is the only way I can see hunting and shooting comfortably) you are gonna have a wicked time trying to get yourself down the way you want.  Use the prussic and a tether that absorbs shock.

To each his own I guess? No way I'm hunting WITHOUT my tie in point in front of me where I can reach it!  The sense of security is far from false if you use the right setup it's proven in rock climbing and tree trimming. I routinely "fall" on purpose just to make sure that I have the experience and confidence in my system in case the real thing ever happens. By the way, there is no comfortable safety harness when hanging from behind your neck! And God forbid if you are unconscious or have to wait for help for any length of time....you may lose your legs and/or your life. At minimum , you'd better have a means to prevent suspension trauma and a phone handy.

Finally, If you think it's as simple as just climbing back into the tree after a fall from a ladder stand in a normal safety harness....I suggest you try it, I think you will be shocked how difficult it really can be if everything isn't setup just right. I know I was!

I work on a public hunting property so I've seen literally hundreds of stand setups and I can assure you that most lifelines (especially on ladder stands) are not setup with rescue in mind but rather to minimize interference and missed shot opportunities.....I just pray those guys never fall.

[Machino]

If you feel safe that way, by all means.  Just trying to help.  Again, i wouldn't like a rope and device it front of me while trying to hunt.  I do see how it would help if you want to rappel to the ground. 

And I have tried it, a lot.  Training demanded it.  You are right when you say you have to set it up right, and this should be tested.  I just have a hard time imagining how you would knock yourself out and not be able to get back around to the tree.  Ultimately, you are taking a risk.  Hope you guys all stay safe.

Generally I hang my stands at 750ft so terminal velocity kicks in on the arrow.  They never no what hit em

[Roy from Pa]

Dammit, Dean

You hain't right:)

That gave me the willies..

LOL

 

[Jasper2]

Yeah, don't even need a weapon from that height....just drop the arrow!

[Jasper2]

Just for educational purposes, I'd like to point out that you don't have to necessarily knock yourself out to be unable to get back around the tree.  The last hunter who fell on the public land where I work took a very expensive helicopter ride after an unknown medical condition  caused him to black out.  He wasn't wearing a safety harness of any kind and was told by the doctor that if he was wearing a conventional harness....he wouldn't be here right now.

I echo what Dean says above....be safe guys and please test your equipment so you know what to do if you ever fall.

[stickandstring]

Most of you mention testing your equipment. But, my harness is I believe a one time only deal, in that it has the overlapped stitched ribbing to tether you. A test fall would break the stitching. So how do you test?