How to Rig a Rock Climbing Harness
Knowing how to rig a rock climbing harness is often a scary thought, but this guide is going to tell you how it is done in only a few easy steps while remaining an efficient and safe procedure. Anybody can rig the harness as long as attention is paid to the task at hand and care is taken to follow the guidelines correctly.
First: Get dressed
Put on the climbing harness and make sure to fasten it around your legs and waist according to the instructions that come with the harness. More advanced harnesses have shoulder and/or chest pieces that you should also strap in place and attached to the waist belt of the main harness.
Second: Ready the anchors
Find a solid anchor point, somewhere that does not give under pressure. Secure the rappelling anchor to the anchor point using a double knot for extra security. Attach your safety chord to the anchor so that you are comfortably safe while setting up the rest of your rig. When you set up your rope, make sure to watch where you initially place it. You do not want to have any jagged or sharp edges applying pressure against the rope. This may cause fraying and hazardous situations later.
Third: Know the ropes
Now you can hook up your rappelling device to the main rope. Every rappelling device comes with specific instructions to guide you through the process of attaching it to the rope; follow them carefully. Use a large locking carabiner to connect your rappelling device to your harness; the carabiner ensures a firm connection. Loop the carabiner through the leg loop and then the waist belt instead of just going through the harness' rappel loop; this, of course, is optional.
Fourth: Time to test
Test everything. And test it again. You cannot test too much. Check all your connections and make sure that they are firmly in place, then check your lines for quality and smoothness. When you are sure that everything is in order, you can unhook your safety chord and begin your descent.