madrock lifeguard vs safeguard for saddle hunting and one sticking 

Thanks for explaining and demonstrating the differences very well. I have been DRT climbing since last season, but I plan one sticking soon. This video was needed to be out there. Thanks..

OH MY WORD!!!! You just saved a life. Thank you for the very specific demonstration. It seems to me that the Life Guard is really not the best plan for the saddle hunter.

Unknowingly used the lifeguard for one sticking this season & luckily never had any issues, however i did switch to the safeguard for next season & feels much safer 👍🏼

Gr8 informative video, sir!

Good video, there's a whole lot to be said about the use of a belay device in this way. IMO: Essentially this is a climbing belay device, meant to be used with two people. One at the bottom with the device and the other climbing up hands free. The safety factor of this is if the climber falls the device automatically cams closed, then the belayer at the bottom controls the device to let tie climber continue up or lower back down. With that, its not intended to have slack int the rope with no hands on the tail end. If you fell out of a tree with the "Lifeguard" it would most likely automatically cam closed after a few feet of free fall, but you'd probably stop quick. The speed and friction running through the device activates the camming mechanism. HOWEVER... these devices are NOT meant to be used hands free. And there's always the chance you cause the "perfect storm" of mess-ups to hit the deck if you don't pay attention and use your gear properly. This is interesting to see though, rock climbing gear intermixing with hunting, structural rope access, canyoneering, and alpineering. Whats next?! :)

Hey man great video. I have one of each. I always use a stopper knot regardless of which use because your in the dark at some point regardless of morning hunt or evening hunt..

Thank you sir .Thanks for the info.

Thank you

I have used the lifegaurd past 3 seasons now and how this video explains it makes it sound like its the worst and most unsafe thing to use......I one stick with the lifegaurd. Not a single issue or at least nothing like what this video shows. My buddies have the safegaurd some got them because videos like this. Even when I stand up on my platform answering natures call and then lean back into it my lifegaurd doesnt slide like shown on this video......its interesting to see this video becasue I was looking for a true difference on why no one uses the lifegaurd but instead use the safegaurd.....

Could you remove the spring in the lifeguard and convert it into a safeguard?

I bought the safeguard.

No they are waiting for hunting seasons .

Bro those ascenders are meant to repel out the tree with a long tether to the ground! U need a kong duck for wt u trying to do !

Sorry but this video is a good example of why people should not use RU-vid to learn how to climb. No belay device is meant to go hands free. You should assume that every device is not going to grab and have a hand on the brake always (or backup with an auto block). You should not tie a stopper knot below your device. All of this is mentioned in the instructions but people just go to RU-vid to learn from people who are novices. The guy even states he bought a device from watching a single video on the Internet and used it for two years and now is making a video about why it could kill him. Follow the instructions that come with the device and find a mentor to teach you. Sorry to be harsh but stuff like this is eventually going to get some hurt or dead.