Glad you walked away. Just to clarify that prussic knot safety strap. The strap is about 5' long and has a loop so you can run it around the tree and pass the end through the loop so it cinches when pulled. The prussic knot looks like what is pictured and goes around the strap. You can cinch the strap on the tree and slid the prussic knot up or down the tail of the strap. The HSS safety tether hooks to the loop on the prussic knot by a carabiner. With the climber just go up a few hitches then slide the safety strap up another 3' and climb to it then push it up again. You are always attached to the tree.