On the web site www.animatedknots.com is explained how to tie an emergency Harness, and to secure it with a Square Reef knot backed up with half hitches. Admitted is then that Square knots are best avoided in safety applications. Does any one know a (really) secure alternative which acts as a binding knot and readily cinched tight?
Link: http://www.animatedknots.com/harness/index.php?Categ=rescue&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com
Welcome to the forum Johnfisherman.
In answer to your query I don’t know of any viable alternative to the reef knot in these circumstances. The harness is for an emergency and will be tied under adverse conditions quickly and without being able to pre-tie the ends. So there is no time for elegant solutions even if there was one. The only improvement I would suggest is backing up the reef with 2 overhand knots rather than half hitches (strangle knots if the person fitting the harness feels they have time to tie them properly).
Barry
I’m not concerned about tying the sqaREef knot in this
application; rumors of its being so unfit-for-business are
much exaggerated.
I was more concerned about apparent tightening of the
harness around the thighs, but briefly suspending myself
in this structure, tied in 2cm solid (& thin) materials-binding
tape (such as might be found around lumber, with metal
folded pieces for securing (machine-tightened!), I felt only
the discomfort of being supported by the material per se,
and not by cinching around my thighs --didn’t happen.
Still, another fault with this harness is that it’s vulnerable
to a single break spilling it; it is not built of independently
secure components.
And it consumes more material than might be used with
some more clever structure. Yes, and thanks to you, I’ve
not another bloomin’ knot to record --viz.,
#2015-02-13f23:23, Seat Harness on the Fly!
–dl*
Dear Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Lehman,
Thank you very much for your interesting and valuable comments!