![\"Untitled\"](\"http:\/\/unswoc.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Untitled.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNow these days, most harnesses have fool-proof permanently doubled back buckles like my one here (also note the thick stitching at the end which prevents it coming back through the buckle):<\/p>\n
I was reminded of this very important point for trip leaders, as well as every person and their own harness, while leading Fortress Canyon with Dion last weekend.<\/p>\n
While I was putting someone on abseil for the 5m drop and going through the safety checks, i.e. checking that her descender and carabiner were set up correctly (through the belay loop and not anywhere else which is another story) and that she could weight the rope, she asked me \u201cIs my harness tight enough\u201d. I could see that it was, but it reminded me to double check her harness buckle and Lo and behold! I would have been sending her down with just the friction of a half done up harness to hold her body weight. Now I\u2019ve heard it can hold (like it did while she was testing weighting the rope) but of course, you wouldn\u2019t bet your life on it. I\u2019m very glad she reminded me and the thought of what might\u2019ve happened has prompted me to write this to make sure it doesn\u2019t happen to you.<\/p>\n
It is very easy for a non-doubled back harness to go unnoticed and this can of course lead to very serious consequences. If you\u2019re not sure what I mean by doubled back see the below image which details how to properly fasten and double back this type of harness buckle (click for larger).<\/p>\n
Now these days, most harnesses have fool-proof permanently doubled back buckles like my one here (also note the thick stitching at the end which prevents it coming back through the buckle):<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n