Harness wear with heavy clothes??

[TxAg]

Originally posted by MOstate:
I've always worn mine on the outside as a vest. I like the way it keeps bulk down. Also, with the tether coming out from underneath my outer layer, cold wind will come right down my   collar.

x2

[STUMP THUMPER]

wear mine(spider)under my colthes and over my merino wool layers, is more comfortable and less binding. My outer scent lock suit has a opening in the back for my tether strap.

[Sharpend60]

Do whatever is comfortable guess.

Personally I would be uncomfortable with anything designed to arrest a fall being near my neck.
Just because it is designed that way doesn't mean its a good design.

While Im on the subject, the quality of many items sold to hunters in dubious...
Both climbing gear and work equipment must be UIAA rated. If it isn't, it is substandard, not worth the risk.

It will be marked very clearly if it is registered as a safe product.

[ddauler]

Sharpend60 I would love to know what your set up is like. I agree with the comment above that most stuff marketed to hunters is junk.

[Sharpend60]

Honestly, I dont hunt from trees. I prefer to be more active, I do have a poor success rate though...

John, you could quite easily be choked by the collar of you jacket. For there not to pressure on your neck, you must fall straight down. You can not guarantee that will happen. That is unless your attachment point is outside the collar...
If you would like, give it a try with something like a tee shirt, that will easily tear away,
may be painful though. Nothing builds confidence in equipment like actually using it.

I do know heights, Ive been a safety instructor/supervisor for over 10 years. I hold many certs. in the subject and am a guide, instructor and trainer. Plus a 25 year traditional archer...

My safety setup would consist of legit climbing gear (or construction equipmen,t same safety certs and manufacturers) It allows for excellent mobility, redundancy and ease of use under extreme stress or unreal environmental conditions.

Hands on instruction is required however.
Hunters products can be used out of the box whether they are safe or not...
I do not trust the average hunting manufacturer to understand fall dynamics and forces. If they did, they would be certified by an international regulator. (UIAA being the standard for both recreation and industry)
Its like buying a rifle without the caliber stamped on it, you dont know what your getting and wont till you drop the hammer.

Ive posted numerous times through the years about the subject... Never to open ears.


Just be safe guys, check in to your equipments standards (UIAA) and make sure you have some sort of redundancy.

[reddogge]

Perhaps the harnesses leave a lot to be desired but they do save lives and give me a sense of security. Compared to what we did 45 years ago, which was nothing, we have come a long way.

[molongbowman]

I am a safety rep. at the factory where I work. As part of my job I had to take a week long class on safety harness. Let me tell you they work. I would only use a full body harness, on the outside of my clothes. Everyone in the class had to tie off and walk off a platform and let the lanyard pull out and then you came to a complete stop hanging there. I adjust mine when in the tree as short as possible. I can then lean out if need be letting the lanyard hold me. Never use a belt type. They will hurt ya. Hope this helps everyone. Steve

[molongbowman]

The lanyard is designed to be attached at the neck behind you. If you fall it will keep you from hitting your head on the ground . As you fall and the lanyard tightens up it will right you. One of the main things is to make sure your stand is high enough in case you fall that the lanyard rips out and stops you BEFORE you hit the ground. You may get hurt wearing one but if worn and adjusted properly it will keep you from DYING. Steve

[buckeyebowhunter]

I have been using a gorilla vest style harness. I have been wearing my asbell pullover over top of it letting my lanyard come out the back of my neck. I dont see how this could be harmful if I did fall. However, I keep my tether pretty high above me this keeps the lanyard fairly taught to where I can lean a little and get some tension, but can still sit down. I think if I were to slip off my platform I wouldnt go too far and should be able to pull myself back up. But if I couldnt my lanyard has a strap that you put your legs in so that you can keep your blood from pooling up. I believe most of the vest style harnesses have this strap now, my old full body harnesses didnt have this.

[Sharpend60]

Safety equipment works, only when used properly.
Do nothing to alter or inhibit its use.

Including restricting its movement with clothing, light or heavy.

Period.
I cant believe people are so resistant to keeping themselves safe.

If you dont wear your shoulder belt when driving, crash your car. You might not get hurt but if you do you have NO recourse because it was not used properly.

[John Scifres]

I don't sense a lot of resistance just healthy skepticism.  I know lots of people who still do nothing so those who do obviously aren't that resistant.  Your points are good but I would like to explore the difference between occupational PFAS and tree stand safety systems.  

I have been in the health and safety business for a while.  I've used PFAS and developed programs for companies, attended and given training and seen a lot of different stuff.  

I have "fallen" with my harness on and can say I am comfortable with it.  I will try it with a jacket over it to explore your point on the collar choking.

Lots of treestand time has led me to believe that falls often begin with either a loss of balance, broken equipment, or falling asleep.  In all these cases, a fairly tight tether, positioned over the head, should arrest the fall.  Since we are stationary, with a tie-off point always above us, this is easily accomplished in all cases.

Your thoughts?

Respectfully,

John

[psychmonky]

Originally posted by ddauler:
That said how do you plan to get down if you fall with that harness on? I can slide buckle away and get myself out. I can't stand the thought of being stuck in the tree.

Mine has a little pouch sewn to one of the straps around your chest. In the pouch is a seatbelt-cutter-type tool. The plan is that once you've fallen you should be near enough to the trunk that you can make your way to your tree steps and then cut the strap. The straps are sewn in such a way that the thread gradually tears and the strap gets longer when you fall. That way you don't just jerk to a halt. They are a one use thing, so cutting the strap is no big deal.

If for some reason you can't reach the tree steps, as a last resort, cutting the strap is still better than hanging there till you starve to death.

[Roger Norris]

Originally posted by Sharpend60:
Fellow hunters,

As a climber for a living, I fall, alot.

Never wear your tether out the neck!
Among other possible issues, it can tear your jacket clean off your body. Dont get me started on what it can do to your neck, head, ears or mouth...

If it comes from near your waist, most it will do is pull your overlayer up to the attachment point.

I have fallen much further than any hunter, on a regular bases.
I like alot of the info in this site but honestly this is one area you dont want or need anecdotal advice...

I never thought of that. Thank you.

[ChuckC]

I believe we need a demonstration.  

From my point of view,  having a tether which originates just behind my neck come out from below the waist of a heavy wool garment means a fall will pull the garment up over my head in the back rendering any struggle I might make a moot point.  I have come out of stands too, and I wear mine out the neck of my garment.  Now,  point made, the neck of my wool outer garment is V cut and not tight to my throat.  I am sure that is a very salient point.  A garment that fits snug to your throat could cause problems.

Every time I, or my partner have come out of a stand while wearing the SOP harness, we ended up suspended upright and able to spin around and climb back up the tree (we use strap on's with steps).  I would not cut the tether to drop to the ground unless I am in dire need.  That hasn't happened yet.

This sounds like a project for the treestand manufacturers association !
ChuckC

[Overspined]

I prefer also to wear my harness inside my outer layer. Seems to work really well.