How to Make a Climbing Harness Out of Rope

Getting caught at the edge of a cliff with a damaged harness is a dangerous situation. Because equipment can often be lost or broken, you should always know how to improvise new pieces from other materials. A climbing harness made out of rope or webbing can save your life in an emergency situation.Be sure to know the basic climbing knots, and practice making a harness out of rope regularly.

Things You'll Need

  • 12 to 15 feet climbing rope
  • Locking carabiner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tie a 5- or 6-foot piece of rope back on itself to create a loop, and tie another piece around your waist. Use double fisherman's knots to make both loops.

    • 2

      Lay the larger loop on the ground and put one twist in the middle to create a figure eight.

    • 3

      Step into both loops of the figure eight and pull it up till it is seated against the bottom of your hips.

    • 4

      Thread a locking carabiner through both leg loops and the waist loop.