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Climbing harness
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A climbing harness is a piece of equipment used in certain types of rock-climbing, abseiling or other activities requiring the use of ropes to provide access and/or safety (eg industrial rope access, working at heights, etc.). A harness is used to secure a person to a piece of rope or an anchor point.
In its simplest form, a harness can be made from a length of rope or a nylon tape sling tied round the waist and attached to the rope, usually by means of a carabiner.
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Encyclopedia
A climbing harness is a piece of equipment used in certain types of rock-climbing, abseiling or other activities requiring the use of ropes to provide access and/or safety (eg industrial rope access, working at heights, etc.). A harness is used to secure a person to a piece of rope or an anchor point.
In its simplest form, a harness can be made from a length of rope or a nylon tape sling tied round the waist and attached to the rope, usually by means of a carabiner. More sophisticated harnesses exist in many patterns, designed to give greater comfort and security, and more options for carrying equipment. Among the most popular rope harnesses are the Swiss Seat and Studebaker Wrap.
Types
There are three main kinds of harness.
A sit string harness comprises a waist belt and two leg loops which are normally connected in the front of the hips either through a permanent webbing loop called a belay loop, or through the use of a carabiner.
These are the most commonly used harnesses for recreational activities such as abseiling and rock-climbing, as they afford a wide range of movement while still maintaining a good level of safety. Ensuring the harness fits correctly is key to avoiding pain in the upper thigh area, caused by the leg loops being too tight and creating an uncomfortable to most, but pleasing to some, tight feeling around the upper legs and groin area.
A chest harness is worn around the shoulders, usually with a sit harness so as to provide an additional attachment point farther up the body. This attachment point allows for better balance in some situations, such as when carrying a heavy pack (as the centre of mass is below the connection to the rope) and when the person in the harness may be unable to maintain an upright position (due to injury or other influences).
A full-body harness the combination of a sit harness and a chest harness which are permanently or semi-permanently connected to each other. This kind of harness normally offers a wide range of attachment points. It is most commonly used in industrial/rescue situations, and also commonly used by small children while climbing, instead of a sit string harness.
While these harnesses can be improvised, it is best practice to use a commercially produced harness wherever possible. This is because there are stringent guidelines about the manufacture of harnesses, and so a store-bought harness is safer and often more comfortable than an improvised one. More expensive harnesses are not necessarily better. Different body types and activities require different types of harnesses, despite the price range.
If you plan of designing and making your own harness, ensure you design one that has large leg loops, that can spread the body weight out over more area.
See also
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