15. DONNING THE HARNESS:
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A Full Body Harness must be worn with all fasteners and adjusters connected and should be adjusted to
fit the user snugly. Failure to properly don, wear, and adjust the FBH can result in severe injury or death
in the event of a fall. To ensure proper donning and adjustment, follow the steps in the figure below.
Step 1:
After inspecting the harness, grab the dorsal (back) D-ring and shake the harness to
ensure all straps are tangle free.
Step 2:
Unfasten all buckles. Place one arm through the harness. Ensure the dorsal D-ring is
on the back. Place the other arm through the other side of the harness and position all the
straps.
Step 3:
Reach between the legs and pull one leg strap forward. Pass the end of the leg strap
through the buckle. Repeat for the other leg strap. The leg straps are attached to the harness at
the sub-pelvic strap. This strap is one of the main load bearing strap in the harness. Ensure the
sub-pelvic strap fits snug under the buttocks.
Step 4:
Connect chest strap by a attaching the mating buckle. Adjust torso straps, and
readjust the leg straps and the chest strap if necessary. Ideal position for the chest strap is
about six inches below the shoulders. Adjust waist belt to a snug fit, if applicable.
Step 5:
Ensure all appropriate buckles are fastened and that the strap ends are secured.
Ensure the dorsal and sternal (if so equipped) D-rings are correctly positioned. The sternal
D-ring should be in the center of the chest, between the pectoral muscles, above the solar
plexus. The dorsal D-ring must be centered between the shoulder blades.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5