Please Don't Die!

[rsimms]

A TWRA friend suggested I write about treestand safety the other day.

I told him after 30 years of sharing the same message over and over, you get somewhat disillusioned when folks don't seem to pay attention. Sometimes it seems a bit pointless... on the other hand, maybe somebody somewhere did read and heed the message, and you never know about it.

Let's hope?

One hunter dead, another crawls six hours with broken leg
http://www.nooga.com/158491/one-hunter-dead-another-crawls-six-hours-with-broken-leg/

 

[owtdoorguy]

Crazy article Richard.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Rollcast]

After seeing the number of treestand accidents over the years, I'm amazed that people don't use the restraint systems. All manfacturers include a restraint system now, if I am correct. Sort of like seatbelts in a car. Seatbelt saved my tail (along with the rest of me)- rolled a car at least three times. Check the Treestand Manufacturers website for info.
Edit: I was in Wally World a couple of years ago. Heard one lady telling another that her husband fell out of his treestand and broke his back. emoPoke

 

[Buoy-Master]

I read it earlier today...Sad yet people should know. I have used a saftey harness each and everytime.

 

[UltraLit3]

Do you think I need one ? I have a buddy stand with rails all around it , I think I might be fine.

 

[chillerman69]

Since this is about safety, I want to add something about the harnesses. I had to take a fall protection safety class, at work and if you fall, with a full body harness, you only have a short time to get down or you'll die. I'm sorry, I can't remember exactly why or how long but it had something to do with blood flow issues and the time was scary short...like 4 minutes but not sure. I wish I had paid more attention but having to sit thru a 4 or 5 hour class, after working 3rd shift makes it hard. I hope somebody will post something more detailed but if you're in the woods, with a harness, have a plan to get yourself down, quick. I've worked (at least supposed to) with safety belts and harness, fo 30 years and had never heard about the death by hanging, they can cause. NO MATTER WHAT STAND YOU USE, YOU NEED SOME TYPE OF PROTECTION even if you have just 4 minutes, you'll have options, that's better than a broken neck, where there's none.

 

[Liveliner]

The rated industrial grade lanyards with the break-away stitching would be a great choice to add to the harness, But they are much heavier and the safety hooks are very large. They help reduce the shocking jolt that can kill you in itself.

I once used a differing approach. I simply carried a single rope. I tied one end to a strong limb and made a loop to fit tightly around my neck. That made me super cautious, I never fell a single time...

 

[SNUFFY]

The load created when you fall is like 5000# so you need to attach it to something capable of handling that load. Have to be a really strong limb or the main trunk on the tree. We use something we call a yo-yo or retractable lanyard. Lets you move around as long as you are moving relatively slow....if you actually fall it will catch you in 2 feet. If attached at the trunk of the tree, you should be able to climb back into you stand. Always attach it above your head. I`ve been thru a hundred of the training classes if I`ve been thru one. Miller is the main manufacturer for fall protection equipment. . The breakaway sticthing lanyard is only good if you are about 18 above the ground or higher. It unravels 18 feet. I`m not up on what is really available for deer stands but I would think with the limited platform room the yo-yo type might be the best. They come in different lenghts of cable or strap and really you should attach to it before you climb up. Now how you get it up there the first time takes some planning but....it is required now on our jobs if you have to climb a ladder more than 12` I`ve also heard the time limit hanging by your harness stuff and I believe Miller says you have 10 minutes and systems start suffering from the restictions. But yeah it`s better than dying from a broken neck.It at least gives you some options, cellphone or screaming your lungs out. Might be good to have a knotted rope hanging near your attachment point.....gives you chance for your adrenaline to help you back up the tree.

 

[rsimms]

Liveliner - 11/19/2012 5:47 PM

I once used a differing approach. I simply carried a single rope. I tied one end to a strong limb and made a loop to fit tightly around my neck. That made me super cautious, I never fell a single time...

emoLaugh