Using a figure 8 for descending the tree - WesSpur's Niceguydave demonstrates a classic tool
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- Опубликовано: 27 дек 2012
- Many climbers are familiar with the figure 8 from their background in rock climbing, caving, or mountaineering. This classic tool has largely been replaced in tree work by Hybrid Work Positioning Devices. The figure 8 has the advantage of being inexpensive and compact, and some still like to use if for descending a stationary rope system. A figure 8 should always be backed up with a prusik.
Basic Installation of the figure 8 on the climbing rope 0:45
Descending the rope on a figure 8 1:36
Installing the figure 8 with prusik backup 3:00
All figure 8s and other descenders available at WesSpur:
www.wesspur.com/tree-climbing...
Thanks for useful video about the descender "Figure 8"!
Have a great day and climb safe!
Great demo. Best, simple use of the prusik actually in use I've seen. Thanks
Glad it was helpful, thanks for the feedback! Stay safe.
Prusik not required with a figure 9 device: ruclips.net/video/0Uol4_K0npE/видео.html
Another benefit or advantage of using the Prusik, above your figure 8, besides the extra safety factor, is the locking feature when you’re working with both hands, previously, I was using the soft lock method, but it’s a pain to unlock under load, or when the rope spins on you.
That is sick. Gonna add the prusik to my tether for saddle hunting.
Glad it's helpful! We have several camo prusiks we've made up for saddle hunters here: www.wesspur.com/search?keywords=camo%20prusik&page=1
Thank you so much for explaining. After watching numerous videos on the same subject - this is by far the best explanation of this system. Really appreciate your help
Glad it was helpful, Alex! Stay safe.
Alex Soul Don't install the figure 8 in mid air. You might drop it and end up using a munter hitch to get down.
i guess Im asking randomly but does anyone know a trick to log back into an Instagram account??
I stupidly lost my password. I love any help you can offer me!
@Adrien Draven instablaster =)
@Bjorn Toby thanks for your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out atm.
Takes quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Best clear explanation, was sure and trust myself, but as the saying goes, trust but verify! Thanks man!
Prusik not required with a figure 9 device: ruclips.net/video/0Uol4_K0npE/видео.html
Awesome video very informative and easy to understand 👍
Thanks Dave, great info.
Nicely done.
Your video's are always straight to the point. Good info, thanks. Greetings from Belgium
A very informative video! Had not had to buy an expensive decender for my aborist work, could have used my figue 8
Great! thankyou Dave for uploading this important info.
Another good benefit of the prusik is that you can use it to ascend. Recently it happened to me, rapelling (alone) from the summit of a two-anchor 60 meter multipitch climbing, that I couldn't bring down the rope when I reached the first anchor, because it got stucked. So I used a prusik to ascend back to the summit anchor. Later I learned that you can also add a second prusik below to use it with your feet.
Thank you Dave for more essential information.
Prusik not required with a figure 9 device: ruclips.net/video/0Uol4_K0npE/видео.html
Excellent presentation.
Thank you kindly!
thank you for sharing
Thanks Dave! When I descend SRT static after climbing w/ascenders like a Petzl Texas system, i've been backing up the Fig. 8 w/a Munter hitch below, tied to one of my saddle hip rings. I'll give the prusik a try👍
This was great and kept to the point. I've always been a fan of shopping wesspur but didn't realize there was a YT channel. Thank you.
Thanks! Yes, there's lots of videos. Feel free to let us know if there is something you would like to see covered in a video.
Thank you for this video, and showing how to use the prusik for safety. I had been struggling to find something that showed the Prusik with the figure 8
Happy to oblige, please let us know if we can help with your gear outfitting! Stay safe,
Thank you
Hi Dave, love your videos! Simple, to the point, and always answer all the questions that might come up. I really like the way you mention in this one that though you could rappell with just the device, the prusik backup is the proper technique. Your video on lanyard choices and operation is a gem as well, thanks so much!!
Thanks for watching!
good job mr. Dave.....
roy...mendo
This was super helpful. Thanks!
Glad it could help!
great tips thxs for the video
Thank you for sharing this guidance.
Prusik not required with a figure 9 device: ruclips.net/video/0Uol4_K0npE/видео.html
Very informative - thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent
Love it
Thanks u, u video is really helpful
thanks for sharing makes scents.
Prusik not required with a figure 9 device: ruclips.net/video/0Uol4_K0npE/видео.html
Thanks for the post. I have heard a downside to this device is that the rope can slip up creating a hitch. Is there a way you can positively secure that from happening with this device? I just bought 2 of these then heard about the hitch thing. Thank you.
This is where I learn the soft lock. So imp to me. TY! Prusik bac up on rapell, the other thing I wanted to know about. Great ! :)
Prusik not required with a figure 9 device: ruclips.net/video/0Uol4_K0npE/видео.html
I'll try this. I gravitate towards simple techniques.
The only method I ever used is the 4 carabiner / opposing gates on a double rope. Learned that 45 yrs ago.
Prusik not required with a figure 9 device: ruclips.net/video/0Uol4_K0npE/видео.html
Great video, thank you for your time and instruction. What is the best way to install a figure 8 descender if your weight is already on the rope? For instance, if you didn't have two separate lines in the tree what is a good method to install a figure 8 device, like if you needed to come back down while ascending on a single rope?
Well yea. Thanks.. I guess the scenario I was thinking about would be needing to come down while ascending away from the trunk or any limbs. Since February though, I've learned the Munter Hitch for descent and I've started single-lining with a rope runner, eliminating the need for a figure-8
How do you swap to Rappel and get off your backup prusik when you have no footholds?
I ALWAYS use bent eared descenders because they prevent the rope from creeping up and over the "0"and locking you into a rappel
Yeah but if you're using a standard 8 and it locks cant you just tie a foot loop above it and unlock it so theres a solution to the problem (if it ever happens)
@@yawningdog9894 I suppose you could, but I have never had to do that because I don't use a standard 8, ever.
@@Xtreme_Airgun_Slugs good for you then by the way are there any disadvantages to the horned figure 8 or is it better?
@@yawningdog9894 I like it because I can tie off my rope and be stationary if needed and have both hands free. The disadvantages are being slightly bulkier and heavier.
@@Xtreme_Airgun_Slugs Thank you for the info
superb
Thank you!
What about rappelling short distances say 18'-20' with a soft lock in place? Then taking a 2nd soft lock to hold yourself when stopped?
Just a question, but if you do panic with the prusik above won't that cause a reaction to grip the prusik? Or will it still grip unless you got superhuman strength?
The prusik can be released if a panicked user grabs onto it. Some people do prefer to have the prusik below the 8.
Prusik not required with a figure 9 device: ruclips.net/video/0Uol4_K0npE/видео.html
Where can I find a prusik with that splice like he's got? Maybe I'm just not using the correct name trying to find one...?
Hi there, Paul - you can find several options for loop and bound-loop prusiks on our prusiks page here: www.wesspur.com/prusiks/heat-resistant-prusik-cords.html
Please feel free to get a hold of customer service if we can help you find anything - 800-268-2141 or orders@wesspur.com.
Stay safe!
I bought one of these for descending trees, but I'm finding I just rappel with the prussic/hitch-climber. Should I be using a figure8 for a smoother rappel perhaps? I've also got a fall arrest device (Petzl ASAP) so it's getting kind of cluttered down there.
The figure 8 is more of a legacy tool for tree care. Like you've found, it's easy just to come down on your hitch. A figure 8 or a U-rack, J-rack, or other friction device sees action on very long descents, when you would be generating a lot of heat on your hitch from all that friction.
Thinking of getting an 8 as using my ascender for descending it gets so hot. Does an 8 generate less heat?
Friction will generate heat, but 8's are built for descent. For very long descents where heat management may be a concern, you might want to check out the U-Rack or J-Rack from SMC.
To do the hard lock, do you need to do the soft lock first and use them in combination?
Yep!
We didn’t get to see the struggle to free that prusik
where can you get the one eye prusik?
A bound loop prusik can be found here: www.wesspur.com/prusiks/heat-resistant-prusik-cords.html
Got no idea how to tied the pressik. Or the soft lock.
Prusik not required with a figure 9 device: ruclips.net/video/0Uol4_K0npE/видео.html
what is your prusik length?
Hi Steve, I believe Dave was using our sewn loop prusik, which looks a little different now as we've changed the cord over to BlueWater's Dynamic 8mm. It's a 16" pull-to length. www.wesspur.com/CLI366-bound-loop-prusik
what size rope do you use?
Hey there, most folks climb trees using 11mm - 13mm ropes (7/16" to 1/2").
ty ngd
😮😮😮😮
Shouldn't the prussik be on a line of its own just in case rope is caught in the figure of 8 and lock and need to be untied under no tension?
the point of the prusik is that you dont have another line, if you had another line, that would serve the same function as the prusik backup and you wouldnt need to have both.
@Stevo Reno A year ago I was just starting. Now I'm a master of most variations of friction knots. I learnt on my own mostly. Nowadays I can even glide down a rope head down first like a special force with a figure 8. LOL. I use a schwabisch with anchor hitches to the carabiner to climb now instead of a prusik. Pure friction knots to climb and only a figure 8 to rappel down. I've learned to use pulleys to climb as well. I've still not learnt the technical terms. I'm the type of guy who always throw away the manual. LOL.
@@TemplarX2 If you use a swabisch why do you use a figure 8 to descend? Or do you climb srt with the swabisch then put a figure 8 to descend so you don't burn the hitchcord?
@@mikealob6316 Wtf are you talking about? A swabisch has far less friction than a prusik. And no it will not burn as the rope below the fig8 is not under tension and the swasbisch rope is replaced after 20-30 uses. Never seen a burn mark on them.
@@TemplarX2 I meant it could burn the cord if you climbed srt without a figure 8 to take some friction.
you remind me of john goodman
wow... not much salt in your hair. 6 years does a lot to a man. stay cool dave
No es práctico ni uno solo de sus sistemas para usar el equipo
Can’t see squat- terrible cameraman