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SAFE LINK SYSTEM USE/ASCENDING & DESCENDING
DESCENDING
STEP 1: When you are ready to descend the tree,
do not disconnect
your full-body fall arrest harness tether from the climbing rope. Climb
down the tree, sliding the prusik hitch down as you go as shown in Figure F.
STEP 2: Move the prusik hitch down the climbing rope frequently as you descend. Make certain to keep the prusik hitch above your head at
all times (as shown in Figure G) while climbing down to limit the distance you may fall in the unlikely event you should experience a fall while
descending.
STEP 3: Once you are on the ground and disconnected from your Safe Link climbing rope system, tie the knot end of the climbing rope around
the tree trunk. This allows you to easily slide the prusik hitch up as you climb (ascend). Remove as much slack from the climbing rope as pos-
sible, making it as tight as possible when tying it off. This practice allows the prusik hitch to slide easily up and down the climbing rope when
ascending and descending.
ASCENDING
STEP 1: Connect your full-body fall arrest harness tether to the carabiner as outlined in STEP 7 above.
STEP 2: Slide the prusik hitch up the climbing rope as high as you can
comfortably
reach without over-reaching as shown in Figure H.
STEP 3: Begin climbing to your treestand while maintaining three points of contact on your climbing sticks, steps, or ladder. When you reach
the prusik hitch height, slide it up the climbing rope a high as you can
comfortably
reach without over-reaching. Continue climbing and moving
the prusik hitch up as you climb until you reach your desired climbing height.
STEP 4: Once in your treestand, slide the prusik hitch up as high as possible, thus limiting the distance you may fall in the unlikely event you
should experience a fall while using this product(s) as shown in Figure I. NOTE: You must raise your prusik hitch as high a possible to limit the
distance you may fall in the unlikely event you experience a fall.
WARNING! You must position your prusik hitch as high up the tree trunk as possible. This practice limits the distance you will fall in the
unlikely event you experience a fall. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious injury or death!
STEP 3: While using a lineman’s belt per your full-body fall arrest harnesses Instruction Manual, climb to your lock-on or fixed position treestand.
NOTE: The prusik hitch shall be snug on the climbing rope. Prior to use, check to ensure it is tight by sliding it a few feet along the climbing rope.
If necessary, tighten the prusik hitch by pulling on the prusik loop to increase the tension of the prusik hitch on the climbing rope.
STEP 4: While at treestand installation height and while attached to the tree firmly with your linesmen belt, wrap the loop end of the climbing
rope around the tree as shown in Figure B.
STEP 5: Slip the knot end of the climbing rope through the loop end of the climbing rope as shown in Figure C. Make certain the prusik hitch
is threaded through the loop end.
STEP 6: Pull the climbing rope through the loop and allow its length to fall gently to the ground below. Make certain the prusik hitch is now
positioned on the loose climbing rope side of the climbing rope as shown in Figure D.
STEP 7: To use, attach the carabiner to your full-body fall arrest tether loop making certain the carabiner is closed and the collar is locked as
shown in Figure E. Make certain the knot at the end of the prusik hitch is tight and that it has at least 3” of “tail” as shown in Figure A.
Figure I
Position Prusik Hitch as
High as Possible
Figure F
Slide Prusik Hitch Down
Climbing Rope
Figure H
Slide Prusik Hitch Up
Climbing Rope as High
as Possible
Figure G
Keep Prusik Hitch Above
Head At All Times
SAFE LINK CLIMBING ROPE SYSTEM REPLACEMENT
You must replace your Safe Link if it has been subjected to severe shock loading (i.e., prevented/mitigated a fall), was exposed to any type of
overloading (i.e., improper use or other), demonstrates any signs of wear (i.e., fraying, abrasion, nicking, stretching, etc.) has been subjected to
inclement weather for more than two (2) weeks, has become stiff or hard, has been exposed to vandalism or animal damage (i.e., animal damage).
