How to Make a Climbing Seat Out of Rope

The Swiss seat is one of the oldest climbing seats used in rock climbing, rappelling and aerial operations. Despite its age, the Swiss seat is still in use today. Various military forces, police agencies and rescue teams around the use utilize it on a regular basis. It can be constructed out of and rope or strap of sufficient size, although 7/16-inch rope is most commonly used. While tying it seems intimidating at first, after a bit of practice you'll find that it's actually quite a simple concept.

Things You'll Need

  • 9 feet of 7/16-inch rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fold a 9-foot length of rope in half. Hold the looped end in your left hand and place it on your hip.

    • 2

      Bring one end of the rope around your front and the other end around your back and then above your right hip and back to your front, where both ends should be twisted together into a double overhand knot.

    • 3

      Lower the two loose ends from the knot to the floor and then bring them back up through the crotch to the small of your back. The two ends of the rope should not cross but should remain on the same side.

    • 4

      Tuck the ends of the rope over the top and then down through the waist rope just above where the rear pocket on a pair of trousers would be located. The free ends of the rope should be hanging loosely down the center of each cheek.

    • 5

      Firmly hold each side of the rope with the respective hand and tug down on both sides while dipping into a squat in order to tighten the harness.

    • 6

      Bring the free ends of the rope back under each matching rope running over the buttocks and then finish the half hitch over the waist rope just above where the rear pocket on a pair of trousers would be located.

    • 7

      Wrap both free ends in opposite directions back around to the left hip and then tie them into a square knot finished with two overhand knots tied around the main waist rope to prevent the square knot from coming loose.

    • 8

      Tuck any remaining rope into your left hip pocket.