POLL - Use a safety harness while climbing?

[ber643]

I use the Summit (old Seat of The Pants) body harness and prusic knot (have for 4 or 5 years now) and love it for the safer feeling it has given me. I still do not use a climbing line but really know I should. I ought to have one for my climber (the shorter one, I guess?) and one for my ladder and loc-on (the long one, I gather). Of course at my age, what I really ought to do, is get out of the darned trees and take more Deer from the ground (like I did that one last year - YEAH! What a thrill.) God bless all of you that are sensible enough to be using the climbing lines - and , please, Lord, watch over those of us who don't have the good sense yet, until we do get it.

[Bonebuster]

I use Summit climbers for most of my treestand hunting. The body harness that comes with them is not difficult to use and I am able to be strapped
to the tree the entire time.

There is a system available called the "Fall Guy".
The body harness consists of a vest, with straps to go around your legs. (I found the vest to be noisy and stiff.) But more important, they have an enclosed, retractable, rope that is attached to the tree up at stand height. Once it is set, the rope stays with you to the ground. Fasten it there and it is ready for you to climb with on your next time out. It rewinds itself as you climb to take up the slack. If you fall, the inertia causes it to lock just like a cars seatbelt. (I think the retractable unit costs around $60.00 without the vest.) This unit will work for any elevated stand, once it is installed up at the level you will be sitting. Unfortunately, they become unreliable once it starts to freeze. (at least mine did) They are worth checking into.

Any safety measures that can be taken, are worth the effort and expense. I ain`t scared of too many things, but Mr.Gravity never sleeps, and if he gets you, he wins EVERY time.

[Shawn Leonard]

As a lot of you know, I had a step break when I was 23 ft. up. I always thought that ya would have time to react and do the old hit and roll or something. Well I hit the ground before I knew I was falling. I still voted NO and I still do not wear one while climbing, I also do not wear one all the time while sitting either. I know it is stupid, but for me it is a hassle ecspecially while climbing. This year I am have a full harness sewed into my thin Scent-Lok coverall, so I will have it on and use it while sitting all the time. By the way I hit the ground so hard the force dislocated both my shoulders and I was pretty battered after my fall. I recently had shoulder surgery due to that accident almost 2 years ago. Shawn

[ber643]

That's scary, shawn. I'm glad you came out as well as you did. I hate those steps!

[Shawn Leonard]

Yup, I thought it pulled out but it broke right behind the threads. Doctor said I hit the ground in less than a half second. Shawn

[awishanew]

I use a prussic knot that slides on a line attached to the tree up above my stand. I attach my body harness to the prussic knot with a caribiner. I am hooked in from when I leave the ground till I'm back down. It is a very slick system and easy to use. Be sure and use some climbing rope as the forces are tremendous in a fall. ps. You can learn how to tie a prussik knot by doing a google search.

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

I voted no, but probably would if I could figure out how to use them on most of the trees I climb. Oaks and cottonwoods 4 feet thick, Cedar trees and others with Multiple protrusions.
My part of the country just is not bless to be in the power pole growing industry, and most good trees, based on deer sign, just doesn't make using one while climbing realistic.. But then I don't wear one cleaning my gutters or painting the house either

[KSdan]

Seems that the lineman rope when climbing is actually more dangerous as you have to adjust it all the time, moving it around the steps or sticks.  I would rather keep both hands on the tree then tying in before stepping on the platform.  Seems safer.

[pintail_drake2004]

i tend to wait until im settled in to put my safty strap on. I feel safe in my climber that i wont fall out while going up or down the tree.

[toddster]

I mainly use my harness when climbing and setting up the stand, Once it is set up, I mainly use it when in the stand.  But when ever I pull one and reset it, I always use the harness going up and down.

[Fallguy]

I had a treestep fail 13 years ago, I only fell 6' and shattered my right ankle. You do not need to fall a great distance to get hurt. I know of a fellow that fell 8' landed on his head and broke his neck and died. The reasoning that it is to much of a hassle to use a rope slide or climbing belt just isn't a sound one. Try climbing stairs with crutches or climbing into a treestand paralized from the neck down some time. The treestand is the most hazardous part of our sport. I also work construction for a living and there are a great many things that we did 20 years ago that we no longer do because the risks are to high. And we have come up with ways to get the job done with out risking life and limb. Do yourself and your family a favor and tie off before you leave the ground.

[Octavian]

I would not dare to climb up in the stand without a harness. On a ladder stand thats an exception. But with climbing sticks and getting settled into stand I will always use a harness. It's to your advantage. I just feel more comfortable and relaxed when I wear one.

[KPaul]

A prusic knot with a static line is a small price to pay for preserving life and limb while climbing.this set up can be used with all types of stand.there just is'nt any excuse for not climbing safely.

KPaul

[hickstick]

I use the static line and klemheist knot (similar to prussik)  both when using a climber (with a short static line) and rails/steps with a hang on stand (long static goes from above the stand to the ground).  just for a reminder I poke my head into my daughters room each morning before heading out to remind myself why!

[Dave Coalter]

I use a safety harness once I'm in the tree but not for climbing. I fell once 2 years ago 13 ft, I was luckey only sprained my ankle really bad, doctor told me I would of been better of if I would of broke it. Took me 3 months to walk right after that.

[Fallguy]

I heard that line from a doctor once when a 1100lb quarter horse fell on my ankle. Maybe thats why I fell out of the tree just to prove him wrong. It took all most 2 years for me to get the flexabliaty back in my ankle. Now it is slowly going backwards because I damaged the joint face and I am slowly chewing away the cartalege.