vt failure causes bad fall

[Mozza]

Sad news, Hope hes ok long term and recovers well.

 

 

Climber error tho, Not knot error.

[Albedo]

I used to use a vt but went back to a prussik, can't remember why.

 

In this case maybe he should have stropped on as well, before attempting the branch roll, as the failed manouvre would give him little or no chance to redress the knot.

 

Anyway this is part of what it says in 'The Tree Climbers Companion' about the Valdotain Tresse (VT) or French Prussik.

 

 

"..... However the French Prussik is an unforgiving knot that has shortcomings with potentially fatal consequences. The primary shortcoming is that it sometimes fails to grab the rope if not tied exactly right. This typically occurs when not enough wraps and braids are taken with the cord. The length, diameter, and pliability of the chord also strongly influence how the hitch will perform......"

[Khriss]

I use a 7mm bit of Mountain 'bootlace' prusssic cord- nice n grabby but runs smooth on New England hiveee, rarely slips-but I never don't check

[skyhuck]

prussik

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Bad news but I would'nt call it a VT failure. More like climber failure, ie failed to dress the hitch before sitting back.

Trying to roll over a limb that you're anchored to and failing to do so then sitting back without checking the hitch is asking for trouble.

 

Let's not start putting people off the VT, used properly it's unbeatable.

 

Just what I was thinking, that could happen with many different hitches.

Especially if you sit back into the harness quickly, after taking all weight off of it and allowing the hitch to become loose.

 

Thats put me off even looking at it, my prussick has and NEVER will drop me.

[Stephen Blair]

if you hadnt tied the prussik correctly it might though tony, i had a scary moment when i went onto vt but it was my fault

[Tommy_B]

Has anyone seen the link on Sherril's website? Apparently VT isn't recommended for life support.

 

Discuss...

 

SherrillTree | Tree Gear. Tree People. Professional Tree Care

[Treewarrior]

Been with a Blakes Hitch and sticking with it

[Tommy_B]

Doesn't mean that I'll stop using the VT though....

[old snake]

Ive climbed on a VT for quite a while now and never had a problem with it. The thing with a VT though is you have to get it bang on! This is very dependent on rope type and diameter's of both rope and friction cord. Also the length of the knot changes with different cords and the longer the knot then there's a higher chance of it not gripping.

 

If your not sure about a VT then why not try a knut or howard hitch. The knut is a really good hitch and you can tie it very small with hardly any sit back at all and grips everytime.

 

Its all about fine tuning and finding whats right for each individual. As this unfortunate accident has proven though just make sure that what ever you use,make sure you know the ins and outs of each hitch. Thankfully there's this forum for all people who are unsure and who may have questions on such things..............stay safe out there folks.