Sudden meeting with ground

[old4hats]

This morning I sat down on a hammock, bent down to remove a shoe, and BAM! I had a strap with a soft shackle, one I had made, and because I had short cut the stopper knot process the knot slipped through and I fell hard. Lesson here: make sure to tie big, hard knots. Doing so would have prevented me a trip to the ER, and a most painful bruised back side.
Yes, I could keep quite and avoid some kidding, but the fact is that I had just safety checked everything about the set up, that is except the stopper knot on that soft shackle.
We are never too careful.

[TrailSlug]

It's a good thing you are at least well enough to post. This is why I stick with my strap and buckle system. It's just to easy and trustworthy.

[oldgringo]

Hope the most serious injury was your pride.

Falls aren't funny...you'll get no kidding from me.

[goobie]

It's a good thing you are at least well enough to post. This is why I stick with my strap and buckle system. It's just to easy and trustworthy.

A properly made soft shackle, as the OP referenced, is just as trustworthy.....and no more complicated than buckles.

I seat the diamond knot on mine, one leg at a time, with a bench vise with a screwdriver in the loop leaning back with my entire bodyweight on it. Haven't had a problem in the field yet. I think your lesson has been learned, thank you for reminding the rest of us.



Don't worry, I'll only kid you about this when I see you

[OlTrailDog]

Thanks for sharing the cautionary experience, Hope all is well. Seems that so many accidents happen when we get too accustom or set in our ways, until we get a similar wake up experience.

[MikekiM]

Noted.. thanks for the reminder.

Glad you're ok

[Artful]

I think I'll go check my knotty work this morning. Thanks for sharing.

[Five Tango]

Been there,did not sustain an injury.Learned to always tie a slippery half hitch on my descender rings.Have an order in for some Dutch Spiders.Hoping you have a speedy recovery,back pain is one of the worst pains out there.

[richtorfla]

Sorry that happened to you! Hope you have a speedy recovery to the pain and pride! Never made those soft shackles before but will take your advice if I ever get the urge to. Have always liked webbing and cinch buckles system cause I'm lazy Played with the whoopies a few times but always went back to my lazy system.

Hope you and the Mrs. are doing well!

[Slowanderer]

Glad the fall didn't involve a serious injury and you are OK.
Thanks for the post. Great reminder.