You have to know about this before you climb!

[safetreehunt]

As some of you already know, I posted a thread a couple weeks ago on safe tree climbing starting with the fact that a 77 year old Flint man fell and is now paralyzed. It appears that this man may not survive this fall. He's now on a feeding tube and tracheotomy.

It tears me up even bringing this up because I fell and know what it's like, but you all have to know about this.

Recently some of the media and manufacturers have finally begun to support the issue of climbing while always attached to the tree. Field & Stream has a real good article on it this month. Hunters Handbook on OLN featured it in their show last week, and MUCC has a feature article talking about the system that Summit is selling in this months Michigan Out of Doors magazine.

I think Summit is the only mainstream manufacturer that is supporting this right now. Expect to see this from all manufacturers of tree stands by this time next year.

Don't wait to get into this system. Do it now. If you'd like instructions on how to make your own, PM me. I used to sell the system now I'm giving away the instructions to anyone who wants them.

Jim

[el Cazador]

I have the system Summit is providing with their treestands...

...why down't you just post it on this website?

[TradeMark]

Yes, I am all for safety first. If you can post it on this site. Or shoot me a pm where to get it. Thanks for taking the time to help all of us out and hope everyone follows it as well so we can all have a happy but SAFE hunting year.

Thanks again.

[Mad Jack]

JIM
Could you please POST your saftey equip. on this site so we might all look at it.
because i for 1 would like to see it.

Thanks Mad Jack

[BigBuckSlayer]

I also use the Summit Climbing Harness while going up and down trees. It's fairly comfortable, doesn't impede shooting and is easy to use. I put the harness on under my camo and run the connecting end behind me so it's not in the way as I draw or turn. This is by far the best harness I have ever used. I tested it once by stepping off of my stand about 3 feet off the ground and I must say, it tightens up on you and swings you into the tree but it will save you from breaking bones or death IMHO. I haven't tried the supreme version yet, but here is a link to their products.

http://www.summitstands.com/catalog.aspx?catid=TreestandHarnessesHarnessAccess ories

:)

[rzdrmh]

gosh that stuff's expensive..

try this out for size.. if its good enough for rock climbers, its good enough for me.. this is a good one that is only $42.50.

http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/product.asp?s%5Fid=0&dept%5Fid=5770&pf%5Fid=JHFNBJKJJOCAPNAB&

[tommy-n]

I always fasten-up after in the stand,but I am not on the way up or down(probally when something bad is most likely to happen) I would really like to see how this thing works.

[SR-Mechead]

At the plant were I work in Wis we just buried a husband of one of the associates. He fell out of a tree stand ,and another associate fell out of his tree stand and broke the bone in his leg in half. I just got a summit and last night I was looking at the video on the vcr and putting everything on. It looks like a lot of extra work ,but it's worth it after whats happened over here. PLEASE SAFETY FIRST.

[Byron]

Geez...you guys sure are ganging up on STH to post stuff that's already on the site! Do a simple search! I did one for "safe tree climbing". Here are a few where I posted detailed info on these systems:

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74814

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46431

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48106

Do a LOT of reading on this and COMMIT to doing something about your safety from ground to ground! Making your own system is safe, cheap and easy. No deer is worth paralysis or death.

Also, it's not "a lot of extra work" at all. Once you do it a few times, you can put on the harness in way under a minute. Climbing with a mainline/prusik system takes maybe 10 or 15 seconds longer than climbing without.

Best Regards,
Byron

[Byron]

Another good search to do here would be "climbing system".

Good luck,
Byron

[tommy-n]

Geez were sorry we asked,never seen it before

[magnumhntr]

Seeing as how I am cheap, and motivated enough to make the climbing rope myself, what specifics am I looking for in the long rope going from the ground to the stand, to make sure it is strong enough to hold my big ole butt if I were to fall. And what material should the long rope be made out of to resist the weather? I figured I could get the long rope at Home Depot, or Lowes, but want to make sure I get the right materials.

I've never used a harness on my strap on stands, just when using my climber, being under the assumption that most falls happened when in the stand, not going up and down. Thanks for opening my eyes!!! I'm sure there will be a few more that will start using a harness on the way up and down now with this type of system. I know I'm gonna put a climbing rope in all my stands....

[The Nailer]

rzdrmh-

While those are great for climbers, for hunters they may have a small flaw. There is a lot of fixed metal on those belts that can generate a lot of noise if your not real careful.

For those that think the prussic climbing systems are expensive you can easily make your own. I just bought 210" of 7/16 static rope and 50' of 8mm line for $171.00. That's enough to equip 7 different stands. It averages to only $24.42 a stand for each climbing system. If you take care of it and take them down at the end of each season and store them dry and out of the sunlight they will last many years. Now couple that with a full body harness that lasts even longer and that seems like pretty cheap insurance to me.

[Byron]

Magnumhntr,

I'm glad to see this discussion has opened your eyes the easy way. The rope you use for your mainline should probably be a static rope made for rock climbers between 9 and 11mm in diameter. The rope for the prusik should be at least 2-3mm smaller in diamter or it won't catch reliably. The smallest I'd go is 7mm climbing/accessory cord for the prusik. If you follow the links I posted or do a search and read some posts, you'll see a lot of discussion regarding this choice.

It's kinda scary thinking about what could've happened to you with only one broken bolt, strap, cable or tree screw, isn't it? Ask anyone in manufacturing; no one makes perfect parts every time!

Good luck,
Byron

[rzdrmh]

rzdrmh-

While those are great for climbers, for hunters they may have a small flaw. There is a lot of fixed metal on those belts that can generate a lot of noise if your not real careful.




actually - i like that one that i posted in the link, cause the loops aren't metal. but that's a valid point, nonetheless..

even with metal, that's remedied with black electrical tape. just trying to point out that there are some extremely safe harnesses for a lot less money, if you don't mind that they aren't "camo", etc. most people would enhance their safety options were it not for costs..

byron - btw - the guys at moose jaw said it was safe to use as little as a 5mm climbing rope for the prusic. supposedly the size has more to do with wear/stretch/etc. than capacity to hold weight.. although that still may be a reason to use a larger prussic line. mine is 6mm, and has been tested with real weight. (i strapped in a few feet off the ground, and "let go"..)

[rzdrmh]

Geez...you guys sure are ganging up on STH to post stuff that's already on the site! Do a simple search! I did one for "safe tree climbing". Here are a few where I posted detailed info on these systems:


agreed, there is a lot of info on the site in previous threads.. but i think we should make this thread (or a similar one) a sticky, at least for say, july through december.

[LarryA]

Actually, I think the importance of this thread far out weighs the inconvenience of posting information twice or even 100 times. Searches are only as good as their search engine. I often find many searches are either incomplete or even misleading.

This topic interest me so I did several searches. Basically, it comes down to 3 previous good threads. As good as the information is in those threads, it still lacks good applicable information. #1 how do you safely fix the rope? #2 how do you tie the knot in question? #3 Must the rope remain in the tree? I see problems with leaving the rope in the tree. In my back yard, it would be taken. Are there alternatives?


Larry A

[SR-Mechead]

Larry
Three very good points to bring up. I like #1 and #2 because if you tie it wrong why have it at all. This is a perfect time for this thread. :)

[safetreehunt]

I cannot post my instructions here because of the limit on attachment size, but I am happy to send them to you in Word Format. I do however need your email address because I don't know how or cannot send them through the forum. You can still PM me with your email address and I'll send the info along asap.

Jim

[safetreehunt]

#1 how do you safely fix the rope? #2 how do you tie the knot in question? #3 Must the rope remain in the tree? I see problems with leaving the rope in the tree. In my back yard, it would be taken. Are there alternatives?

Larry A
My instructions talk about all of these questions...

[safetreehunt]

agreed, there is a lot of info on the site in previous threads.. but i think we should make this thread (or a similar one) a sticky, at least for say, july through december.
As you might notice, I try to bring this up every time the thread begins to get old. Can't help it. This is my crusade. Just look at my ankle in my avatar.

[Byron]

Safetreehunt,

Send the file to me and I'll post it as an attachment.

Best Regards,
Byron

[252Life]

I have just finished watching Don and Kerri Krisky and Tom Drury kill some massive bucks in one of their videos. I've seen this thing probably a hundred times and never get tired of it. But this time I watched in amazement...None of them, and I mean NOBODY, was wearing any type of harness. One of their stands was 30 feet up, but I couldn't see any harness!

I cannot imagine climbing without a belt or sitting in my stand without my harness. I am way too unsure of myself.

Maybe they have some sort of hidden harness that the viewer can't see. In any event, they sure aren't setting a good example for tree stand safety. Big giant bucks, but no harness at all? Please, someone tell me there is some sort of trick photography going on.

[safetreehunt]

In any event, they sure aren't setting a good example for tree stand safety. Big giant bucks, but no harness at all? Please, someone tell me there is some sort of trick photography going on.
Once you've fallen, as I have, and you begin to look into the safety issue more deeply, it becomes apparent that the bow hunting/tree hunting industry still does not understand the depth of this issue. Many of the ads in the magazines and the films that we see on the Outdoor Channel or OLN and ESPN don't show hunters in trees with safety harnesses, but they sure spend a lot of time on arrows, bows and broadheads because that's where the money is.

There are some things that I do when going through magazines and watching the TV. I make a note of the show, advertisers and magazines that I consider to be in violation or in support of the tree climbing safety issues that I find important. I send emails to many of those programs, manufacturers and editorial letters columns and point out either who or who is not doing a reasonable job in supporting and educating hunters on keeping safe in a tree. I compliment the supporters, like Summit, and scold the rest that deserve it.

Maybe you folks should start in on this as well. It doesn't take much effort via email and search engines, just a little time. With your help we might save some lives or keep some buddies from breaking their backs or other limbs.

Jim

[Mad Jack]

The suspence is killing me here lets see how it is rigged up so we can do this time is running out for the 1st. here. I would like to update the old one and get into something new this year....
Please SHOW US.

[252Life]

STH, I took your wise advice and emailed Drury Outdoors, the producers of this particular video. They responded with a general "thanks for your inpout and check out our latest video which has a lengthy discussion on TS safety."

We'll see. I would be incredibly surprised if the hunters in it are suddenly wearing safety harnesses. I would like to see how they approach the subject, "although nobody in this video practices TS safety, we are big suporters of it":lol:

[reelcatchy]

Check out Sept. Field and Stream. They have a good article on this system with pictures, how to tie knots, etc.........

[Byron]

If you want info, search for it. It isn't difficult.

Click on Search above and type "safe tree climbing" or "climbing rope system".

All the info you need is posted in several threads. Spend 10 minutes looking and you'll know all you need to know. I even posted the F&S article.

Be safe,
Byron


BTW, safetreehunt's file is too large to post as an attachment (only 48k allowed).

[safetreehunt]

I just picked up a Hunter Safety System Vest this weekend for $79.95 at Franks in Pinconning. I've been looking at it on their website, but as soon as I tried it on in the store, I knew this was the system I needed to complete my safe tree climbing system.

I used it all weekend as we finished setting some tree stands and found it to be really comfortable and easy to use. I've tried some full body harnesses, and while I still promote their use over a chest belt, this system is really much more simple and user friendly than anything I've tried.

Check it out:
http://www.deerhuntinggear.net/Safety_Vest.htm

To me, no cost is now too great to keep me from crashing. Been there done that, don't ever want to do it again!!! Still have nightmares about it from time to time and wake up hearing the echo of my own screams from when I hit the ground two years ago. Really terrifying sometimes.

[Banditto]

About those video's. I have a vest that goes under an outer shell. If you were looking at me you would swear I am not wearing a safety harness but it is a 4-point safety harness. Maybe that is what they were wearing.

I should say I HAD a safety harness because as of right now I cannot find my fanny pack containing that stuff including my knives... I hate being unorganized.

[bf281]

When I first read this thread last week, I got to admit I kinda blew it off. That could never happen to me, right? Well this weekend I went out to my stand as I always do before the season to flick a few arrows and make sure everything is ready to go. I climbed my ladder stick and put on my safety harness as I climbed into my stand as I always do. But when I went to sit down my seat broke right off of the treestand and as my body slid forward my harness caught and kept me from falling. I can only imagine what could have happened if I was not wearing my harness. I now think I will be checking into one that keeps me safe while climbing also. Guys, as stated earlier, please wear a harness when in a tree. Or maybe this will never happen to you either, right?

[farmlegend]

What brand of treestand?

Was the weight limit exceeded? ;) (Maybe you still had your backpack on with 50# of extra gear).

[Banditto]

Yes ALWAYS state what brand and type, and pictures would be good too.

That is terrible your stand failed. I posted some pics a month ago where I found 2 cracks in a stand. It is always smart to go over your stuff with a fine tooth comb before finding out something is wrong from an accident.

[bf281]

The tree stand that failed was a loc-on. Not sure of the model. It is probably about 15 years old and ready to be retired. As far as the weight limit, I have been "storing up for winter" but am still below the 250 lb weight limit.

[safetreehunt]

But when I went to sit down my seat broke right off of the treestand and as my body slid forward my harness caught and kept me from falling. I can only imagine what could have happened if I was not wearing my harness. I now think I will be checking into one that keeps me safe while climbing also. Guys, as stated earlier, please wear a harness when in a tree. Or maybe this will never happen to you either, right?

Congratulations on being smart enough to at least put your harness on. Send an email directly to safetreehunt@yahoo.com, and I'll send you instructions on how to make your own climbing line systems.

Jim

[BarryPatch]

My wife's second cousin fell asleep in his stand two years ago. He lay in Wisconsin woods near Marinette for 9 hours before they found him. He's now a quadriplegic.

I bought a Summit Viper X4 for this season from Cabela's for $250. It comes with a very simple fall restraint that I plan to use religiously.