Living with long covid is not easy. It has disabled me and has drastically affected the rope play I can do. Self suspension is particularly challenging, since I’m in charge of all the planning and mitigation and self suspension is very demanding on my body.
With some ideas from some fantastic self tiers in an online community, including a person’s similar nylon hangar, I have developed a set that works really well for me. I thought I’d share it so that you can decide what might be possible for you, too. Please speak to your doctor or healthcare professionals that will be able to inform you better on your own anatomy and what is possible for you.
Firstly, rigging hard point and upline. To keep it super simple, I use a one metre aerial strap (2 tonne load capacity) from ceiling hooks installed by my builder. It is just the right height that I can stand on the footstool pictured below, and hook my hip harness directly to it. The cat shouldn’t be there, but won’t be told otherwise! 🙂 If you are unsure of the safety of your rigging, please seek specialist advice from a qualified builder or the like.
Then, after tying my chosen harness, I created a fastening as below:
- Create a Y hanger with the 60 cm climbing strap.
- Hook a carabiner (this one is 25KN).
- Make sure the opening is at the base of the rigging.
- Twist the strap to create a figure 4.
- Pass the loop over the carabiner and tighten.
- Hook the end loop onto the carabiner.
I needed to shimmy the carabiner so that it’s the other way up, so that I can hook it to the strap hanging from the ceiling.
Once suspended, I carefully placed the stool to one side but in close reach, so that I can bring myself down afterwards with ease.
As always , I kept my safety scissors hooked on my harness, in case the rope jammed and I got stuck. It helped also that I can reach the floor with my hands to assist myself down, need be. Having a spotter to help check the set up is well constructed and assist in emergency situations is a very good idea.
Heres it in use on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DB332M4Njwv/?igsh=MTAzYjRrdmd6ZWp2Yg==
If you want to try my method, you may wants to use different length straps for your body or the harness you use. Again, if you are unsure please seek professional advice. This post is what works for me and I accept no liability of any use of this method by other individuals or organisations.
