Method Comments on my early hanging plan

[TBONTB]

Im outlining a hanging plan, what comments do people have? I know there are gaps here, but wanted to get started. I plan full (even though it's scary) because partial just seems to be super difficult to pull off

Where - this is a big question. I have a room in the home with ceiling joists that might be suitable. I hate to traumatize my husband this way, so am looking for alternatives. There's a weirdly secluded ravine near me that I plan to scout for suitable trees and privacy. I am not too optimistic though that I will find a suitable tree, I think they will be too big. Other option is hotel, with the rope over a door. I am concerned however that the door (presumably bathroom door) won't close. What about a strap in that case?

Rope. I need to procure a 12mm polyester rope. Dock line might be a good choice

?Padding? Some people mention putting light socks over the carotid. Although that might be hard to put in place as one is dealing with the rope. Comments?

Knots. Use a slip knot for the noose, with a not at the free end to prevent slipping. Which knot for the anchor point? I need to practice these knots. In addition there is a logistic to getting the rope over the anchor point, especially if it's a tree. (I can't throw very far!).

The rope shoud be affixed to the anchor point, and then subsequently the noose prepared and slipped around neck. I don't think I've seen this mentioned but i think the noose is supposed to be positioned as close as possible to where my neck will be in a natural standing position. So I think getting the length right is important.

Set up. Will need a stool or chair (perhaps a camping stool if in woods). Step off gently.

SI. This is an issue for many so I should expect it will be for me too.

Noise...if in a hotel room, leave the TV on, target 8 or 9 pm to avoid waking guests. If in the woods be very careful to be out of sight of the paths. Very lightly used area but do some observations as well. At home should be no issues once I find a day my husband is away. Other than the awfulness of him finding me.

Comments?

 

[SomewhatLoved]

Where - this is a big question. I have a room in the home with ceiling joists that might be suitable. I hate to traumatize my husband this way, so am looking for alternatives. There's a weirdly secluded ravine near me that I plan to scout for suitable trees and privacy. I am not too optimistic though that I will find a suitable tree, I think they will be too big. Other option is hotel, with the rope over a door. I am concerned however that the door (presumably bathroom door) won't close. What about a strap in that case?

I plan to CTB by hanging in a hiking trail that has been shut down for maintenance and fenced off. I will do it around 3 AM as well, so there should definitely be no people there. It's possible, but you have to climb multiple metal gates to get through and it's trespassing. Same as you, finding a suitable anchor is the hard part but if you can do that I think maybe it'll work! As long as you're confident no one would cross you for a few hours.

?Padding? Some people mention putting light socks over the carotid. Although that might be hard to put in place as one is dealing with the rope. Comments?

I've found what works is to have the noose "loosely" around my neck, and then to place whatever you're using for padding between the noose and your neck. That way it will be kept in place until tension is applied to the rope.

Knots. Use a slip knot for the noose, with a not at the free end to prevent slipping. Which knot for the anchor point? I need to practice these knots. In addition there is a logistic to getting the rope over the anchor point, especially if it's a tree. (I can't throw very far!).

For securing the end - I've practiced before and just a simple normal knot seems to do the trick. You could also do a noose on the other end as it would only continue to tighten the more weight is applied to it or a hitch knot would work as well I would think.

As for throwing the rope over an anchor point - when I was a kid and went camping with my family, to get the rope thrown over tree branches we used to tie the end of the rope to a wrench, rock, etc. Since rope is generally pretty light it's hard to control when you throw it. Adding more weight makes it so that you have a little more control. I'm not a physicist and I feel like my explanation isn't working, but this has helped me whenever I've had to throw rope over something high up.

SI. This is an issue for many so I should expect it will be for me too.

I've spoken to people who have done full suspensions. They tell me that the only way the method can "fail" is if either you back out or if your apparatus fails, like a branch or the rope snapping, anchor knot coming loose, etc. So if your apparatus is secure and proper, it comes down to you. The thing with full suspension though is once you step off or let go, it's kind of just over unless you're able to grab on to something or plant your feet on the ground somehow. With partial, as your neck is being constricted you have to continually be "in" to it. You have to continue to let the rope press around your neck while you know you could stop the discomfort by putting more weight on your feet/other parts of your body. With full suspension this isn't possible. My understanding is that full suspension is "easier" in the sense that when you let go, there's not much you can do to stop it. But it's also generally said to be a lot less comfortable as your whole weight is on your neck instead of just a percentage of your body weight.

 

[TBONTB]

I hiked my trail and I think the anchor points are a problem. I found two trees that were a maybe. The first was a big lead maple, and the potential branch was pretty high. If I could get a rope up there I would step off an incline...so that might work. The second was a smaller ficus. Probably a 3 to 4 inch diameter branch, which I could reach up and grab with my arms fully suspended....might be just barely high enough. I guess I can try returning with a rope. Disappointing though, lots of trees but not very suitable. (Too bad no one wants to kill me...that might work!!!)

 

[AreWeWinning]

Comments?

I hiked my trail and I think the anchor points are a problem.

Anchor points:

You don't need a branch. You can tie the rope to the tree's trunk. (The only risk is that you might turn around and grab the trunk after you've stepped off.) I explain how a trunk can be used and why it is safe to use in this post. Note that you don't necessarily need a Running Bowline. An Anchor Hitch or a Round Turn & Two Half Hitches work exceptionally well too. They are secure on their own, but you can also tie an extra Half Hitch around the load end, or add a stopper knot at the free end as 'insurance'.

The knots mentioned above also work on branches at any angle. The tree's rugged surface creates friction, which prevents the rope from sliding downward along the branch or the trunk.

They also work perfectly well on horizontal beams and bars, and most anchor points in general. (They're called hitches, after all.) However, if the bar or beam has a smooth surface (i.e. it's not a tree), it has to be horizontal – or there has to be something that prevents the rope from sliding downward along its axis.

Noose:

It is called the Noose Knot, which should not be confused with the Slip Knot or a Hangman's Noose. The only difference between the Noose Knot and the Slip Knot is which end is the sliding end, but it's an important one. Here is a video explaining the difference.

You already mentioned the stopper knot, which must be added on the tail end of the Noose Knot. Btw, a Noose Knot with a stopper knot can also be called an Arbor Knot – the end result is the same. See these videos for how to tie it: Video 1, Video 2.

Padding:

Personally, I'm not planning to use any. As you said, it might be difficult to put them in place and use them correctly. If they move out of position, they might even make things worse. I don't think padding is necessary.

Setup / support:

I have a 4-legged plastic stool, about 40 cm high. It's very light and easy to carry. I've seen comments that foldable ones don't work well, so I think a fixed one is the best.

I plan to lean into the noose gently, but then step off quickly and decisively.

Location:

Regarding a hotel room, as you mentioned, a strap over the door is a good idea. You can get a door anchor for resistance bands or make one yourself.

Regarding trees and doing it outdoors, it may be safest during the Devil's hour (between 3 and 4 AM), but if you have a spouse or you're not comfortable being out at night alone, it's not an option. It can be done during the day too if you find a good spot.

 

[Gustav Hartmann]

SI. This is an issue for many so I should expect it will be for me too.

This is the main issue not only with hanging, all the other points are no real problems and there is a lot of useful information here.

 

[TBONTB]

Anchor points:

You don't need a branch. You can tie the rope to the tree's trunk. (The only risk is that you might turn around and grab the trunk after you've stepped off.) I explain how a trunk can be used and why it is safe to use in this post. Note that you don't necessarily need a Running Bowline. An Anchor Hitch or a Round Turn & Two Half Hitches work exceptionally well too. They are secure on their own, but you can also tie an extra Half Hitch around the load end, or add a stopper knot at the free end as 'insurance'.

The knots mentioned above also work on branches at any angle. The tree's rugged surface creates friction, which prevents the rope from sliding downward along the branch or the trunk.

They also work perfectly well on horizontal beams and bars, and most anchor points in general. (They're called hitches, after all.) However, if the bar or beam has a smooth surface (i.e. it's not a tree), it has to be horizontal – or there has to be something that prevents the rope from sliding downward along its axis.

Noose:

It is called the Noose Knot, which should not be confused with the Slip Knot or a Hangman's Noose. The only difference between the Noose Knot and the Slip Knot is which end is the sliding end, but it's an important one. Here is a video explaining the difference.

You already mentioned the stopper knot, which must be added on the tail end of the Noose Knot. Btw, a Noose Knot with a stopper knot can also be called an Arbor Knot – the end result is the same. See these videos for how to tie it: Video 1, Video 2.

Padding:

Personally, I'm not planning to use any. As you said, it might be difficult to put them in place and use them correctly. If they move out of position, they might even make things worse. I don't think padding is necessary.

Setup / support:

I have a 4-legged plastic stool, about 40 cm high. It's very light and easy to carry. I've seen comments that foldable ones don't work well, so I think a fixed one is the best.

I plan to lean into the noose gently, but then step off quickly and decisively.

Location:

Regarding a hotel room, as you mentioned, a strap over the door is a good idea. You can get a door anchor for resistance bands or make one yourself.

Regarding trees and doing it outdoors, it may be safest during the Devil's hour (between 3 and 4 AM), but if you have a spouse or you're not comfortable being out at night alone, it's not an option. It can be done during the day too if you find a good spot.

This is so helpful. You've obviously developed a lot of expertise and are generous.

I'm now exploring the idea of a hotel and a pull up bar as potentially easier. I'm not confident though that there will be enough height. Have you given this any thought? I think a door is 6 feet 8 inches. The pull up would need a little clearance so 6 feet four inches. Then the drop to the noose would be another 8 inches for example 5 feet 8 inches...seems a little too short?

I have also seen here a method that involves a light weight one one side of the door attached to a ratcheting strap. Thoughts on that

Again thanks for the time and if it's too much let me know

 

[AreWeWinning]

This is so helpful. You've obviously developed a lot of expertise and are generous.

I'm now exploring the idea of a hotel and a pull up bar as potentially easier. I'm not confident though that there will be enough height. Have you given this any thought? I think a door is 6 feet 8 inches. The pull up would need a little clearance so 6 feet four inches. Then the drop to the noose would be another 8 inches for example 5 feet 8 inches...seems a little too short?

I have also seen here a method that involves a light weight one one side of the door attached to a ratcheting strap. Thoughts on that

Again thanks for the time and if it's too much let me know

Door height vs. full/partial suspension:

I agree that doors are generally too low for full suspension, pull up bars or otherwise. It could work for very short individuals, but not for people of average height or taller. So, if you want to use a door, you'll probably have to settle for partial.

Full suspension is definitely the surest way, and I'm planning to do full suspension myself, but this doesn't mean that partial is a bad method. You can do it in a standing position, which is still fairly safe, IMO. Doing it in a sitting or lying position is what's problematic, because there isn't enough tension. See the image in this post, which shows the tension on the rope as a percentage of body weight in different positions.

Regarding the strap over the door method:

I think this method can be as good as – or even better – than using a pressure-mounted telescopic pull-up bar. If the door is shut, it sits within the door frame, so the entire frame will support the weight, not just the door's hinges.

It doesn't matter whether you tie a dumbbell or something else to it, as long as it's thick enough and can't be pulled through the gap. The fact that the dumbbell has any weight is irrelevant. It's just an object that's easy to tie the rope onto due to its shape, that's all. But a thick, folded-up towel can also work perfectly well.

Those are the thoughts that came to mind...

 

[TBONTB]

Door height vs. full/partial suspension:

I agree that doors are generally too low for full suspension, pull up bars or otherwise. It could work for very short individuals, but not for people of average height or taller. So, if you want to use a door, you'll probably have to settle for partial.

Full suspension is definitely the surest way, and I'm planning to do full suspension myself, but this doesn't mean that partial is a bad method. You can do it in a standing position, which is still fairly safe, IMO. Doing it in a sitting or lying position is what's problematic, because there isn't enough tension. See the image in this post, which shows the tension on the rope as a percentage of body weight in different positions.

Regarding the strap over the door method:

I think this method can be as good as – or even better – than using a pressure-mounted telescopic pull-up bar. If the door is shut, it sits within the door frame, so the entire frame will support the weight, not just the door's hinges.

It doesn't matter whether you tie a dumbbell or something else to it, as long as it's thick enough and can't be pulled through the gap. The fact that the dumbbell has any weight is irrelevant. It's just an object that's easy to tie the rope onto due to its shape, that's all. But a thick, folded-up towel can also work perfectly well.

Those are the thoughts that came to mind...

Any concerns about using a strap instead of a rope? I just don't see how people can get a rope between the door and the frame.

I was able to do a little test with a scarf, and I could see that I would probably be able to get my feet on the floor so doesn't work for full. And yes. It's uncomfortable!

 

[AreWeWinning]

Any concerns about using a strap instead of a rope?

I'm not sure what you mean, but in general, no concerns. It just has to be strong enough. A 1-inch strap or above should be fine, but always check its load capacity – there can be great differences, depending on quality and material.

You can tie the noose directly in the strap, or use it as an anchor point and tie your rope to it.

If you tie the noose in the strap, it'll fold and buckle under load, reducing its width. If necessary, you can also twist it a few times before tying the noose to help it. So, width/thickness won't be a problem.