Backing up Ascenders

[ANK]

I was wondering how many people back up their hand ascenders when used for accessing the tree. I never have before, but that is because I've always had another back up in the form of a hitch climber or hitch hiker.

 

However, I want to use a double hand ascender when foot locking and was wondering if people back them up and if so, how?

 

Cheers!

[Darrin Turnbull]

Use a system like this , both lines are fixed. No need for backup.

 

 

This picture is taken from Treemagineers september Blog. ( Mark Bridge )

[ANK]

Cheers for the reply Darrin! I understand that if the two lines running through the ascender are both locked off in some way then if one of the cams should pop off, the other will still hold.

 

But I was wondering if there is a likely hood that both cams could become disengaged whether it be through odd rope positioning or branches/twigs interfering?

 

Gonna head over and check that blog post out now.

 

Cheers.

[Darrin Turnbull]

Here's Mark Bridge talking about Aerial Rescue.

 

 

At about four minutes in the video he talks a little bit about double ascenders.

[colemanjessenz]

I saw a neat way of backing them up with just a webbing sling , i'll see if i can find it.

[oakleaf50]

[oakleaf50]

Some ascenders will have hole behind the cams to put small karabiner behind to stop cam coming off