How To: Make A Lifeline with a Prusik Knot

[@loneoutdoorsman77]

I wish I had seen this video 3 years ago. I recently became an amputee because of my fall and I now make these for free for people that can't afford life lines. Great video that I can't share enough.

[@peterlubbers5947]

🙏✊

[@livingadreamlife1428]

Ike does an excellent job in showing how to tie a Prusik Knot.

[@DropScott]

Great video!! I will definitely get some rope and make lifelines for all of my stands.. There have been a few days in inclement weather I felt a little nervous climbing up.. Thanks again for all you guys do for all of us hunters!!

[@anthonylawlor9130]

Same here....first year hunting smart with lifeline, harness. Started hunting from trees in 1970, just shows your never to old to learn something new. For all you haters, your not thinking of your family. Smarten up.......

[@bjsmith9191]

What size line are you using for your main line and what size for the prusik knot?

[@anthonylawlor9130]

Thanks for the instructions. Never to late to teach old dog new tricks, hunting close to sixty years from tree. Second season using proper safety harness/ lifelines. All of my tree stands have life lines. Won’t ever climb without one. Two years ago started hunting a club were I could be only member on property. Average 4 miles from road, and you couldn’t find me. Made do a little deep thinking, do you want to hunt next year, without wheel chair…..I heard the bells go off. Listen up you young guys, very easy and the only way to go.

[@kmarks66]

Great instructional video. Thank you!

[@BlackCobra331]

Been getting into my hang ons for years with fear of falling from the step off the last climbing stick into the stand, how did I not see this years ago. Now no fear! Thank you

[@ikesoutdoors]

Glad it helped.

[@jonathanhoneyman2342]

Thanks man...easy video and appreciate you clearing this up for me.

[@pbondfishing768]

Thank you so much for this video. I bought a life line at bass pro for a lot of $. I can now do this and save a little. Thanks

[@herdbull365]

Great information man 👊🏻 thanks

[@jasonmills9158]

Great tutorial. A couple other good knots to use instead of a prusik are the Bachman knot and the Klemheist knot. They're both friction knots similar to a prusik, but are easier to work loose when you do put weight on it. I use them all the time when I'm rock climbing. If you do weight the prusik and have difficulty getting it loose again, roll it between your hands. That will generally work it loose.

[@JohnSims3]

If you hitch the loop around the line, it won't slip.

[@Evaluateandrepair]

This is an old video, but I just came across it. As an experienced hunter and know better. I just became a statistic this year. I normally use a life line w/pruisik knot. Unfortunately I chose to not use my harness during a hunt and fell 15 ft ( as Ike said while descending) I will fully recover ,however I broke my pelvis in 2 places,my right shoulder and my jaw from the fall. God is good . All my needs so far have been met, but PLEASE BE SAFE OUT THERE. USE A LIFE LINE.

[@devonriederer3288]

Awesome video makes it look very and easy to set up and use

[@lucasmustang66]

You the man.

[@kingofkentucky918]

A prussic is made with a double fisherman not an overhead. It's much safer and doesn't come loose if made right. A figure 8 with a half hitch (or overhand) safety knot would work better than an overhand knot on the main line. Other than that, you did a great job at explaining the basics of a safety system. Good video!

[@JonathanWilson83]

Can you share some links to the different ropes you use?

[@gillzgonewild6960]

Like I said in the video, I decided to just buy lifelines for all of our sets this season because I was under some tight time restraints and it was just quicker to run to the store and buy the lifelines pre-made. Here is a link to a rope that would suit most people's needs for a mainline, but I caution you to do your own research to find the proper rope with the proper strength for you (after all it's your life on the line) www.rei.com/product/472013/pmi-e-z-bend-sport-11mm-static-rope#tab-specs . Should you decide to just buy the pre-made ones like I did here is a link to them. www.basspro.com/Hunter-Safety-System-Life-Line-Climbing-Line/product/79338/

[@markfulcher5532]

I know he said the lines should different sizes, but is that proven to be a suggestion based on experience or other suggestion regurgitated from other internet sources? What I’m curious about is if 1/2” would be ok to use on the main line AND the prusik knot

[@ikesoutdoors]

The diameter of your cord should be 60% to 80% of the rope’s diameter. If you use a cord that is too thin, it will tighten easily around the rope and will be difficult to move freely. If you use a cord that is too thick, it won’t have enough friction to lock up when you need it to.

[@snaponmac2010]

I hunt out of mainly ladder stands. How would i go about setting a line up on ladder stand? Right now i just use my harness when im in the stand but getting in and out of the stand i just claim. Thanks for the information.

[@snapcrack55]

Do the same thing as this video, but tie the bottom to the last step of the ladder. Or add a teather/extension from the harness to the lifeline.

[@jeffmorrow1957]

Very good👍 thanks for sharing.

[@jeffmorrow1957]

Thanks bro👍 great video!

[@jonpatterson5668]

Is this used along with your harness system

[@AlaskaBikeDoctor]

I had a climbing shop here in town set up my life lines for me, and they used the same knot. My question is: what do you do on the way up the first time? The life line obviously can't be hung until you get up there, so how do you keep yourself attached to the tree the first time you climb?

[@gillzgonewild6960]

When I am hanging treestands I always use a linemans belt until I get my lifeline set up.

[@ya13ya03]

Great how to. Thanks.

[@nstyn1]

I would also like to know what size rope and everything you used in this video will make it a lot easier the. Looking up a ton of different ropes

[@gillzgonewild6960]

You need to worry more about the breaking strength of the rope than the diameter. There are a lot of thick ropes that won't handle the weight of someone falling, and there are likewise smaller diameter ropes that are rated for that kind of impact. Having said that I have noticed that 7/16" - 1/2" diameter is pretty standard for a mainline and some go thicker than that. But like I said, just because a rope is 1/2" diameter doesn't mean it would be safe to use so be sure and find a rock climbing rope that is rated for your needs.

[@petjr0635]

Best video! Thank you!

[@ikesoutdoors]

Glad it helped!

[@timeintheoutdoors]

Good info... me being picky....Poor lighting on parts of the video and is shaky...I feel like I’m on my boat. Use a tripod. Thanks for posting. Please consider a version 2 of the video with a tripod.

[@Bigtwinok]

Do it guys! Use the life line...I fell once and almost was paralyzed, it can happen to you.

[@crapanzanocarmelo]

Great video, thanks

[@austinatkins592]

What size is the main line and the Prusik knot??Thanks in advance.

[@GetSomeTD]

What made you go with a standard over hand knot? I ended up tying a double fishermens knot.

[@gillzgonewild6960]

To be honest with you the lifelines I bought just used an overhand knot and since it is simple to show on the video that was the one I chose to show. I have seen where people use the double fisherman's knot as well and there is nothing wrong with it.

[@GetSomeTD]

GillzGoneWild Thanks for the reply i had to return my harness it wouldnt fit over my bibs so i re ordered a larger size and that rabbit runner you linked me to. have my lifeline and carrabiners all ready to go. Going to test the harness off a ladder in the back yard when i get it.

[@snapcrack55]

You might want to consider using a rock climbing harness for hunting. It can go over or under bibs, then the rope attaches to the front of the harness, out the zipper, around your side and attached to the tree.

[@polodeamon718387]

Really good video and informational. I only have two comments though: that is not a proper prusik knot and will easily come undone/not be able to take the same amount of force as a double fisherman's. The second is you do not want the knot being directly in the middle of that loop, you would want to have it on either side. Other than that, great video and well explained!

[@SHW372]

Great Video. THANKS

[@scottpowers2166]

for me i would use a figure 8 knot. The figure 8 knot hold 80% of the rope strength.

[@bowhuntznj]

I agree with Scott a figure eight on a bight is much safer and stronger.

[@MRBOBBY8706]

Great video!

[@jmondia]

Thanks great video

[@jimmyperez5881]

You did good brother thank ya i learned something from your video

[@pehenryjr]

This is a super video thanks a lot

[@hawknives]

Dead man can't hunt!

[@jeffreycardwell4373]

Thank you

[@liberty5565]

so how do you tie the life line to the ground when using a climber?

[@ikesoutdoors]

It's not really meant to be used with a climber. Fixed stands only.

[@snapcrack55]

You can use a "lifeline" (typically 20-30 feet of rope), but a shorter (8 foot) safety line works better for the climbers. Attach when you get in the climber and slide the rope up as you go.

[@liberty5565]

Thanks, I bought the HSS rope strap. Seems ok.

[@jonpatterson5668]

Ah ..instead of harnessing to the tree ....buckle to this.

[@andersskoleovergaard9313]

The overhand knot is NOT at good one for this purpose. it is called European death knot" - guess why?

[@WikkedR1]

I just found HSS 30' lifelines on Amazon for $25 each. I had already picked out my ropes on REI and was about to order when I decided to check Amazon. The sale on HSS was even cheaper than what I could buy and build myself so I bought 6. Either way, you're right. In this day and age there really IS no good reason to not use a quality harness and a lifeline.

[@anaisskipscheepers4586]

depending on your descent distance, rope on rope strangling on SRT is extremely dangerous. even on non fuse ropes they will burn and loose. check your safety.

[@barrystephens900]

Man I’ve been a career FF for 33 years, I’ve been doing rope rescue for 32 years. That’s not how you make a prusik.

[@bucktalk69]

What size line is main line