DIY Harness for Climbing

This is a DIY harness for climbing from paracord and a climbing rope.

You can made a simple harness from a single 4-5 m (13-16 feet) climbing rope as You may see in this tutorial but it's pretty uncomfortable. In this tutorial we add 3 protective parts made from paracord and rope to protect Your waist and thights.
We are using paracord 3 mm and  Beal Edlinger Dry Cover 10,2 mm.
For harness use only climbing rope and read warnings at the end of this guide.
The harness has 3 protective parts: 1 for waist protection and 2 for thighs.

2011-06-20 added  The end knots step

Step 1: Used Materials

1. -  40 meter (131 feet) 3 mm paracord of different colours
2. -  12 meter (39 feet) 10,2 mm climbing rope Beal Edlinger Dry Cover
3. - knife
4. - lighter for fusing paracords and the ends of climbing ropes

Step 2: Preaparing the Paracord and Rope

Cut the paracord:
- 20 m for waist protective part
- 10 m for thigh protective part
- 10 m for thigh protective part

Cut the climbing rope:
- 5 m - main harness rope
- 3 m - protective part for waist
- 2 m - protective part for thigh
- 2 m - protective part for thigh

Fuse if use different colours.
Melt the end of the climbing rope

Step 3: Making the Protective Parts for Waist and Thighs

We have to make 3 protective parts for waist and thighs protection.

Step 4: Attaching the Main Rope to the Protective Parts

We have to attache the protective parts to the main rope.

Step 5: The Finished Harness

This is the finished harness.
It's ready to try it.

Step 6: Pick Up the Harness

This is how You can pick up the harness.

On next page You can see a full instruction on how to do this step by step.
Before using this equipment, you must:
- Get specific training in its proper use.
- Become acquainted with its capabilities and limitations.
- Understand and accept the risks involved.
See warnings on the end page of this guide

Step 7: How to Pick Up Single Rope Harness

During this step You can see how does a single rope harness works and how to pick up.

Before using this equipment, you must:
- Get specific training in its proper use.
- Become acquainted with its capabilities and limitations.
- Understand and accept the risks involved.

Step 8: Try It Outdoor

It's time to try it. Attention: we did't use helmet for head protection which is very dangerous. Don't do this like us.

Step 9: The End Knots

Thanks to Rob O's comment we noticed that the end knots were not clearly documented. This is how You can do it - one square knot and lock it off  at each side.

Step 10: WARNING

WARNING
Activities involving the use of DIY rope harness are inherently dangerous .
You are responsible for your own actions and decisions. Technical training is essential
Before using DIY equipment, you must:
- Get specific training in its proper use.
- Become acquainted with its capabilities and limitations.
- Understand and accept the risks involved.
Failure to heed any of these warnings may result in severe injury or death .

Comments

[OolongJ]

Good Job. The naysayers are not aware of how strong your harness is.
It looks strong and comfortable. Be sure to check for wear.
Thankyou

[JerryS42]

Here's a cheaper way to make a emergency harness:

https://www.trails.com/how_210_tie-climbing-harness-webbing.html

[bkb2]

Thanks, it's a cool way. I'll try it. :D

[jbrunet]

just go buy one for 40$. UIAA approved.

[rpotts2]

So, the 550 cord is more for cushioning than anything else? I used a similar seat (just rope though, no padding) in the Army as an Air Assault instructor. when I first saw this, my initial reaction was to insult you because of the 550 cord. thank God I read thru this! that passing is a really good idea.

[coolblaze2019]

Gonna make this for my zip line i built in my back yard guess we'll see if i have a sore butt

[bkb2]

Hi coolblaze2019,

this is not a Petzl Corax which I use for climbing. This is a forced solution not to use a simple rope which will hurt You. This is only the less bad solution use it only if you haven't any other and don't fail in it. Use it for a short period on single rope technique up and down or abseiling.

[amackinnon2]

it is a nice demo but if you were to take a real climbing fall, death would result.

[#OccupyInstruct]

great idea! the waist band gave me the idea to use those as straps for a woven paracord backpack. nice ible by the way, in definitely going back to colorado here in the states some time soon

[Kelticpaddler]

Excellent, first rate sir!

I thought you would be slated over safety aspects etc, but it would seem that you have the basics covered.

I like it...I like it alot!

Well done.

[climber1994]

Great make but should point out this type of thing should only be used for emergencies . But thanks I have made one and its in my climbing bag just in case my primary harness fails for some reason.

[rhendric]

S its a souped up swiss seat! Right?

[bkb2]

Yes raynman217,
You are right, You may call this a souped up swiss seat. Thank for comment. :-)

[TrailH4x]

Proper webbing sourced from a climbing vendor would be better, but I think you give an excellent presentation that could help save a day on the rock for someone who arrived with a busted harness.

Great catch on the locking tails. I make a habit of never tying a square knot on life securing gear. The square knot has history under its alter ego, the reefing knot, in which its design can under the right circumstances be flipped into load spilling lark's head. Substitute with a water knot for security (definitely if used with webbing). Even with the water knot, lock your tails.

Nice instructable!

[Rob O]

That is some really interesting rope-work. Neat exercise. Great concept.

I could see how thhis concept would help in an emergency rap or something. But would you feel safe to use it in a regular climbing scenario? That knot completeing the harness doesnt exactly 'double-back'. I'd be very worried that the know would come loose and spill a climber from the harness in a fall. If I saw someone at a crag using that harness I'd be deeply worried about having to help out with a body recovery!!

Still, it's a cool concept. I'm curious to know what you have in mind for it!

[bkb2]

Thank You Rob, You are right, we haven't documented clearly the end knots. So we add another step to the instruction about the end knots .  Please take a look on it.

[mikeasaurus]

Nice job!
I've used rope harnesses before when climbing and they are really uncomfortable after a short while, looks like the paracord adds some nice padding and a few extra spots for your carabiners.

[bkb2]

Thank You, we are proud that You appreciate this guide :-)

[ComplacentBard]

wouldn't it be easier to just make it out of webbing?

[bkb2]

Hi, we haven't try it from webbing, so don't khow how comfortable is but there are nice solutions from webbing:
http://www.animatedknots.com/harness/index.php
ot this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP5IdhkgKs8