Fireaxman
ArboristSite Guru
I really like the design and fun factor. In thinking about the saddle safety suggestion, this could also be a way for kids (of any age) to become more comfortable with a climbing saddle. Use a saddle instead of the swing seat.....
I took Treetimer's suggestion. A Buckingham Versatile works GREAT with no swing seat at all, just the batten butt strap, using the two most widely spread attachment points on the bridge. Very secure feeling, much better than the normal swing seat. The Versatile works especially well because of the multiple fixed attachment points. Also tried it with my Traverse and with a New Tribe, did not work quite so well because of the sliding bridge (traverse) and fixed center attachment point (New Tribe) - less separation between swing lines resulted in less control over spins, and the ropes come up in front of the face too closely - but I might be able to use the side D's to get some separation. I'll have to fool with it some.
Saddle instead of swing seat gives me the opportunity to raise the release point. At about 45 degrees the "client" (victim?) is leaning pretty far back in a regular swing seat. Using the saddles I was able to get up another 10 feet very comfortably.
I'm using a Big Shot trigger release now instead of the hand release. Some of my "clients" were not getting a clean release with the hand held method. They tended to release with one hand and yet still try to hang on with the other, giving them a spin and causing some rope burns. With the Big Shot Release Snap they get a nice clean release with no spin, or if they want to spin a little they can twist in the saddle a little before they pull the trigger and get a little spin without swinging sideways.
Pretty crazy feeling of helplessness when you pull the trigger and immediately recognize you are totally at the mercy of your pre-planning for the next few minutes. And the first, longest, highest swing is backwards. Great Fun!