Redundant Bridge:10 Options and 50 Configurations

JRB has consistently endorsed the concept of having redundant points of connection between our tree/hunting saddle and the rope, whether it is a climbing rope, a lifeline, or a rappel rope. It is valuable in climbing, rappel and emergency scenarios, regardless of the climbing method. Unfortunately, most saddle hunters don't yet understand the value of a redundant bridge, particularly in those crucial self-rescue scenarios. In this video, JRB outlines 10 "fixed devices" as options for building a bridge and given all the variations in configuration, there are 50+ combinations demonstrated and more described. Note that JRB does not recommend the use of a conventional "tether" because they can get us stuck in a tree. We always need a line to ground. Related videos:
• Single Rope Rappel on ...
• Self Rescue After Loss...
• Tying the Water Knot a...
• Adding a Redundant Bri...
• Tying the Hunter's Ben...
• Introducing the Longho...
• Longhorn Hitch, Details
• Tying the Figure 8 on ...
• Tying the Clove Hitch,...
• Scaffold Knot, Poacher...
• Tying the Highwayman's...
• Tying the Maverick Hitch
• Tying Scott's Locked B...
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DISCLAIMER: Viewers assume responsibility for their own safety. This video is provided for demonstrational and informational purposes only, and is not considered advice nor instruction. Climbing and related knot tying activities are dangerous and should be performed only with appropriate training, supervision and protective equipment. The author disclaims responsibility for the clarity, comprehensiveness and accuracy of the content, as well as all liability for accidents or injuries incurred. - JRB Tree Climbing LLC
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[@BillRadcliff-u1p]

Built me a redundant bridge today, gotta say I'm very pleased!! Then, using a munter, I repelled for the first time, man was that fun!! So much so that starting from the ground, climbed and then repelled half a dozen more times :) THANK YOU JOHN!!

[@jrbtc]

Excellent. I did a few climbs myself today also. Rappel slowly and make sure the Munter is doing the work, not your hitch.

[@timwaldroup9654]

Thanks John..

[@jrbtc]

You are welcome, Tim.

[@kennethrogers1129]

You sparked a realization for me. I could use a really short bridge on rappel. I have one inch tube web bridges with detachable adjustable austrialpine buckles attached to bridge loops with girth hitches which will not quite adjust tight / short enough, so I will use a cord to pull my bridge loops (I actually made my saddle with D rings ,, similar to Eberhart double panel saddle ) in tight with and that willl keep my super munter low and down away from my ascender hitch with a ring ( compact 5-2-3, love it) and carabiner I certainly enjoy a redundant bridge with my favorite way of climbing - hitch climb ! I will play around and pick a configuration, liking some kind of secure loop to keep it handy - longhorn , figure eight, hunters bend. Webbing slides nice in a carabiner. Might even make me a new saddle over the off season with adjustable cord bridges. Thanks John for the climbing education Harvested two nice bucks out of my saddle on public land this season in the Homochitto National Forest. Enjoy it that I can venture off into any part of the vast forest , the WMA I like most is 29,000 acres so there’s lots to explore, and climb almost any tree hitch climbing. Using a pole is quiet and quick with the Maverick. I did experience a few jam ups with the Maverick even being very careful in tying correctly. I think this problem is due to hanging at an angle from the hitch for several hours causing a twist in the locking loop. Sometimes a tree will fool me as to which way it leans. So I have learned , and hitch climbing makes this possible, to adjust my hunting hitch at the top of my climb so I hang straight and keep that hitch from binding

[@HA-bh1wh]

Love the Maverick myself and used it exclusively this past season. It’s interesting that you experienced Jamming of the Maverick , I did as well after all day sits. I took the precaution of retying the Maverick before descending and had no further problems . I am using Ape Canyon 9.5 mm.

[@mikedranginis8677]

Longhorn soft shackle popped into my mind the moment you pulled a longhorn up in the video and of course, to no disappointment, you demonstrated that. I have been guilty of thinking of a "fixed" bridge being a set length not realizing the obvious additional wrap we could implement on it to shorten and lengthen. While not as readily adjustable as it would be with a hitch to the belay loop, for a secondary bridge, I haven't had many cases where I needed to adjust a secondary bridge under load so I'll be experimenting with that soft shackle version since I always have a longhorn in the bag ready to go.

[@jrbtc]

Another way I could have titled this video was to point out that these are relatively SIMPLE solutions. A rope climber who is likely good at tying knots would likely opt for one with a friction hitch and adjustability. But I wanted to make sure that the team knows that there are plenty of simple options as well. And even if you are stick climbing, you still need away out of the tree in every situation. I will be referring to this video in future self rescue content.

[@ericbrabham3640]

I used the adjustable double adjustable bridge you demonstrated in a previous video this hunting season and absolutely loved it. It does look like a "mess" to some people but the flexibility of it is worth it.

[@lisamcqueen8509]

Thanks John, just received a new saddle yesterday! Always great info and help! Hope you have a great time at the show this weekend, there always fun! Thanks for sharing, Steve

[@jrbtc]

Thank you, Steve. Good luck with your new saddle. Stay tied in!

[@enjoytheoutdoors101]

John Great video!!! I'm a firm believer that the double bridge mode is a valuable tool. One always has to think of the "What if" scenario and have tools to Mitigate the situation (I'm always thinking about the, what if). John, I wish every hunter considering climbing up a tree by any method should consider one of your safety climbing videos. I think it would help them immensely. Good Work John, Thank you for all you do.

[@jrbtc]

Hi, appreciate your comment and I could not agree more. I'm also pleased to see that the information is organically spreading. Folks are starting to scratch their head and ask the important questions. They are making changes and they are telling their friends to do the same. And as a community we are getting smarter. Unfortunately, we won't get to everybody and we won't Present every on fortunate situation. But we will know that we tried. Cheers

[@j-jlevy]

This one i downloaded it to my sd card. So I have it with me for reference. Awesome Thanks for the post

[@jrbtc]

You are welcome. The best part of my week is seeing the appreciative comments here on the channel and knowing that I am helping my brothers and sisters.

[@joshuacoggin5665]

All of these are good options and good to know incase disaster struck. I think if would also be good to state the most obvious. A linesman rope. I think it would be safe to say that the majority of saddle hunters already have that secured to one side of there saddle or they should have anyway.

[@jrbtc]

I can't disagree that a LB could be used to fashion a bridge. Definitely so in an emergency scenario. But there were 2 reasons I didn't include it: 1. I endorse the concept of 2 independent connections to our lifeline. 2 bridges makes that simple. I want solutions that cant be forgotten. 2. In 15 years saddle hunting, I have never used an LB on a hunt. If we know how to tie in properly, we rarely need one.

[@billyrivere6664]

Now that we have options for second bridge, would love to see options on adjustable single primary bridge

[@jrbtc]

Absolutely Billy. But you are gonna recognize it. Right now I am running what is effectively half of my Double Adjustable v1 system.

[@jrbtc]

Also, we gotta recognize that I am introducing content which is applicable to non rope climbers. When you see me on a stick, I am still going to have 2 bridges and i don't want that to be intimidating for anyone to add.

[@billyrivere6664]

Smart and so easy too!

[@rangerdog316]

When I saw the webbing, I immediately thought of the garda footloop as an emergency bridge. Since the carabiners aren’t locking, I would think you could invert one of the carabiners after attaching to bridge so the gates are facing opposite directions.

[@jrbtc]

Absolutely we could. I left that out only because it's specific to rope climbing. The stick climbers wouldn't have one and they still need a plan other than a 911 call.

[@yl1487]

Just for reference and comparison purposes: in arboricultural applications, current standards require life support to include triple action (that is, double locking [which is to be first overcome] ahead of the gate opening action). [Edited above for added clarification regarding procedural sequence when opening gate]

[@jrbtc]

@yl1487 Thx. The current draft revision of Z133 states this about carabiner requirements: "self closing and self double locking, add shall have a gate locking mechanism that requires at least two consecutive deliberate actions to unlock". I think you are saying that "triple action" = "self closing and double locking", right?

[@yl1487]

@@jrbtc Yes. Exactly. Double locking is effectively equal to triple action. These are terms that are both very commonly used, albeit frequently the uses come with errors in arboricultural circles. You have it spot on though, please pardon me if I appeared to imply otherwise. I just wanted to relate the terms to each other for the sake of future arboricultural viewership.

[@jrbtc]

@yl1487 I want to get your opinion on this product. Do you feel it is compliant? I have several friends who climb with these types of devices and they're only double action, typically used on Flipline or lanyard or equivalent. www.rocknarbor.com/product/omega-pacific-squatch-claw-aluminum-double-action-quik-lok/

[@yl1487]

@@jrbtc Thank you for your query. I can find this same Squatch device listed as a product available here, bearing in mind they primarily specialize in arboricultural gear.

[@yl1487]

@@jrbtc We can likely both agree that with it being loaded correctly, as the rating would indicate, it should be amply sufficient for life support from axial force WLL perspective at 28 kN.

[@billyrivere6664]

I like the soft shackle longhorn , is there another way to capture the soft shackle without a caribiner? Reason i ask is because to minimize to one caribiner when rappalling down instaed of using 2 on redundant bridge!

[@jrbtc]

Yes, if you watch the video: Introducing the Longhorn Hitch and Soft Shackle, it shows how to configure it with a soft toggle. If ya cinch it properly, its very strong (see test video) but it wasn't possible for me to test multiple cord types. If ya wanna maximize strength, with a really long tail, we can loop the tails around forming 360 degree round turns. That's going to form a toggle that's twice as thick. Let's discuss in the Facebook group.

[@DavidRoussel-r8x]

I have an ape canyon with extra loops…could that be used for redundant bridge? Or will the position affect how it can effectively be used?

[@jrbtc]

The Pioneer saddle has extra loops, but it would be more involved to try to rig a bridge into the auxiliary loops. Because we need all 4 of them.

[@stevethompson7613]

How do you tie a double prusik

[@jrbtc]

@stevethompson7613 Use a single piece of cord instead of a loop. Manually thread the two prusiks and then join the two ends together with a secure Bend. But in the context of a bridge, there is no reason for a double prusik. I understand why you would want one on your bridge loop. But the hitch that goes on your actual bridge should not be a prusik simply because there are so many better friction hitches we can use. And if you are doing this to your own saddle for a life safety application, you need to be 100% sure you tied it properly and tested it before you trust it with your life.