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Author Topic: Murphy Stand accident  (Read 1627 times)

Offline toddster

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Murphy Stand accident
« on: October 11, 2023, 03:31:15 PM »
I wanted to share what happened last night, not to scare but educate and remind others stay vigilant.
I got out of work, early yesterday, and got to the public hunting area, I hunt.  In the parking area was a father and his son, that was getting ready to go out.  I talked to them to ensure we wasn't going to be stepping on one another's toes.  As we talked, I said "so you are in the buddy ladder, at the far end of the field?, I noticed it in September when walked area".  He replied, "Yep".  He had set it up early September for season.  I got my stuff together, and with longbow and saddle this sparked their interest.  Which, led to me asking, "where is your fall protection?"  The father kind of bumbled around it, "ladder safe, 3 point contact", yada yada.  I then said be safe, and off they went.
I got back in the timber, which ended up being few hundred yards from them.  I sat there for about an hour, I noticed a few deer had come out in the bean field.  Making me more alert for movement.  About 15 minutes later, I noticed the deer body language in the field was more alert and looking back toward the timber across the field.  I thought around that time I heard a faint crash, then the deer in the field just bolted across the field.
I was leaning in my saddle now, and got my binoculars out glassing over that direction, expecting to maybe glimpse a huge buck chasing off a younger one, or something similar.  After about 10 minutes of glassing up and down the field in that area, I was making one final view back toward the area the noise came from and I noticed something out of place.  Right at the edge of the field, it looked like something trying to get up.  A few minutes more and noticed a pale face just above the beans, then back down.
I watched for new more minutes, and noticed same thing.  My gut was telling me, that something was wrong.  I quicly got down, leaving my sticks up, and coiled up my gear.  I walked carefully over there, just in case my gut was wrong and they had gotten a deer down.  I then stopped and glassed again, and there was something wrong with the person.  I picked up my pace, got over to the younger guy on edge of field.  I could tell he was kind of out of it, and his left foot was facing the wrong way.  I told him to stay down and relax, he then said "Dad".  Remembering that the stand was not to far in the woods, I told him to stay here.  I then bound into the woods, and quickly noticed where the stand was standing was now on the side of the ground.  I got up to it, and seen the older guy about 4 feet from the stand.
I did a quick assessment of him, without moving and found not blood, he was breathing shallowly, and unconcious.
I grabbed my cell, no signal.  I ran back to the younger guy at edge of field, and checked again, now I had a few bars.  Luckily, being a hunter education instructor and taking it seriously, I had the direct line to the CPO and local EMS.  I got the CPO first, knowing him, as he would come talk at H.E. classes and drank together.  I gave him all the details, then the parking area and thank god, it was a realtively straight shot from  there down to the edge of the field.  He wanted me to stay on the line, but I said I would loose him as I was going to bounce back and forth between the two, until he got there, look for the orange vest sticking up (I always kept a small one in my pack, when dragging deer out).
I went back and forth, trying to comfort the two people.  I got the younger guy to drink some water, and though in pain, was stable considering.  On the second trip to check on older guy, he had begun to gain consciousness.  I identified myself, reassured him, his son was okay, and not to move, just stay still.  He wanted to sit up, but after some talking, got him to settle for rolling over, with me help.  After a few more trips back and forth two CPO and some EMS showed up just as the sun was starting to set.
They got them out to the hospital.  I stood back in the timber with one of the CPO's, and we stood with headlamps on, looking at the tree and stand.  You could see some scars on the tree, where it appeared that the strap had broken, and was rocked back and forth, then crashed to the ground.  We stood there in the dark for about an hour and half.  I drove to the hospital where they was to check on them. 
Though confidential, the CPO I knew seen me and came over.  The kid had shattered his ankle and tibia and would need surgery, though stable.  The father, did not have any internal bleeding, but had busted ribs on both sides and likely pelvis or spine injury, though they still doing test.  I then said, "they was lucky".  The CPO said, "yes, if you wasn't there been worst".  I said, "All they had to do was inspect and have an arrest system in place, like we teach".  The wife/mother, then came in and she thanked me.  I gave her my number and said anything I can do let me know.

Take away-  This happens every year, for no reason!  This has been my 3rd time in my hunting carreer that I have come across people injured.  Guys/Gals, check your straps, do not go cheap.  All kinds of critters out there and mother nature wears them out.  Check everything on whatever system you use.
Wear fall protection!!  We need to change our attitude when we leave the ground.  Not it is just in case, or it might happen.  We need to plan when we leave the ground, that it can and will happen, and when it does, know I will be safe and I can get to the ground! 
I know I am not the longest person hunting on here, nor likely have the most climbing experience.  But, like many I have had my share of mishaps over the decades and learned from it and evolved.  No animal is worth my life nor the pain I would put my family through for rest of there lives.  Plan for Murphy to show up, because he always will.

Online rastaman

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2023, 04:09:13 PM »
Thanks for sharing Todd! i have a few hunter friends who don't think you need safety belts in ladder stands.  We have lifelines on all of our lock-ons.  The older i get the more hunting i do off the ground!
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Offline Mint

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2023, 04:34:17 PM »
Definitely scary and I make sure I'm always attached to the tree in some way. I usually use lifelines but regardless if I don't have ne because of a one day hunt I'll use climbing belt and safety strap so that I'm never unsecured. All it takes is one time.
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Online Stringwacker

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2023, 06:48:51 PM »
Your a hero in my book. I have Faith and I do believe you were there in that time and place for a reason....hard to explain it all away as purely happenstance.

I hope if something like that ever happens to me; there is a miracle represented by someone like yourself to help.  Everyone needs a reminder here and there. Thanks for the post.
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Offline awry

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2023, 07:22:00 PM »
DANG that is scary. Thank you for posting
Grateful you were there and followed your gut!

Online Pine

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2023, 07:25:52 PM »
Thanks for posting this.
Buy the way, I have stayed on the ground for over 40 years now for that very reason.
It's easier to fool someone than to convince them they have been fooled. Mark Twain

If you're afraid to offend, you can't be honest.

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Online Wudstix

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2023, 07:38:47 PM »
Played the dummy once and crawled up an Oak one misty morning to a fork to hunt a good area.  half way up I slipped, caught my leg in the fork and fell 4-5 feet straight down on top of my head.  Folks that know me say that/s the hardest part of my body.  Didn't even knock my hat off, as I rolled to my side.  Hunted that morning from the base of the Oak.  Lucky day and shot a doe, as well.
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Online Captain*Kirk

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2023, 10:06:20 PM »
Bless you for your diligence and unselfishly dropping your hunt to come to the aid of these folks, but even moreso taking the time to ensure they were OK after the fact. I hope everyone who reads this has a moment of self-reflection and thought about their own safety protocol.
You very likely saved at least one life.
Aim small,miss small

Offline GCook

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2023, 11:03:25 PM »
They are fortunate a caring, qualified and capable person was there for them.  You touched on something that most of us don't want to face.  We don't bounce.  New climbing system already purchased for this year.  Been working with it for a hunt next month.   Easier and safer than what we use to have.  No reason not to do it right
I can afford to shoot most any bow I like.  And I like Primal Tech bows.

Offline supernaut

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2023, 08:57:12 AM »
Thanks be to God that you were there and things weren't worse.   :pray:

Thanks for posting this account as a reminder for all of us to stay safe and diligent.
« Last Edit: October 12, 2023, 11:33:01 AM by supernaut »
Prayer changes things.

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Offline blacktailbob

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #10 on: October 12, 2023, 09:34:44 AM »
Come Dec. 1 it'll be 23 years since I crashed and burned.

I was using a one year old lock-on stand and right at dusk I decided to come down. Very quietly removed my safety strap ( full body harness and prusiks safety lines not yet on market ) and as I was about to let my Blacktail bow down and "SNAP" down I went. Kind of like throwing the ball trying to dunk the clown I was suddenly crashing to the earth. Felt like a bomb went off inside me. Didn't know if I had a broken back, legs or what. Pain was so bad couldn't call for help.
   
I tried to move and figured my legs and back weren't broken and crawled to my bow and used it to get to my feet and as a crutch to try and get to my truck. I did cough up a little blood, not good. Then I heard a voice calling out. It was Sterling Bacun I had met that morning who was hunting a couple hundred yards away. He heard the crash and came to my aid and got me to a hospital that was only about 4 miles away. Ruptured spleen and bruised pelvic bone. Five days in hosp. 42 staples in my belly. Cut from my sternum to my pelvic bone, all your insides are put in a pan while they find the injuries and suck out all the blood( 2 liters in my case ) and put guts back in and hope no intestines get strangulated in the process. I have been field dressed and released. You don't ever want that!

If I hunt up off the ground now it's in a ladder stand with full body harness and safety line. Even if I only go up six or eight feet (12 max) I wear it. Back then all the guys I knew never even wore the safety straps that came with their stands. I was kind of a wake up call for everybody to start wearing safety gear. Like the guys above I was very fortunate that someone was close enough to help. Today at 69 I carry ACR Res Q link hunting or fishing. So many places out there where a cell phone won't reach this will.

It was a manufacturers defect that caused the hook to break and turn loose. A lawsuit did follow.


Offline toddster

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #11 on: October 12, 2023, 10:34:09 AM »
Blacktailbob, thanks for sharing.  Thank you all for the kind words. 
Follow up- I did get a call last night from the wife of the injured parties.  She said, the "Dad" had broke ribs on each side, cracked his pelvis, and did back injury (luckily no organs busted).  The "son" will get pins in his tibia and foot.  She thanked me again and got to vent a little to me. 

Be safe out there, Murphy is stalking all of us.

Online trad_bowhunter1965

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #12 on: October 12, 2023, 11:16:39 AM »
Thank the Good Lord you were there.
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Online PrimitivePete

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2023, 12:33:27 PM »
I slipped once on stand, that was the last time I hunted from a tree. I'd simply rather not take a chance on my life and prefer to go home empty. That being said I have had a blast being on the ground and admit it is much harder, but the eye to eye contact is crazy fun.

Offline GCook

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #14 on: October 12, 2023, 01:58:32 PM »
Could've been much worse.
I can afford to shoot most any bow I like.  And I like Primal Tech bows.

Online Captain*Kirk

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #15 on: October 12, 2023, 08:58:56 PM »
Let's also not forget, the danger isn't over when you call it quits for the season.
12 years ago (or so) I left a nice, steady ladder stand up until season's ending in January. We had an unseasonable warm-up in February and I took the advantage to go remove my stand. I climbed up and un-clipped the ratchet strap from around the tree trunk. As I started back down the ladder and shifted my weight to the rungs, the bottom of the ladder sunk into the now-thawed soft dirt and I felt it start to tip backwards. I had two choices; ride it down and have it land on my chest, or jump. I jumped...and landed on my left ankle. I was positive it was broken, the pain was intense. I had to crawl on all fours to my truck, and drove straight to ER. I was on the second step from top on a 15 foot ladder stand, so I reckoned the fall to be at least a 12 foot drop. After numerous X-rays I was happy to learn it was only a severe sprain, no broken bones, but I couldn't put any pressure on it. I was on crutches the better part of two weeks with a wrap on the ankle the whole time.
We always think of that safety harness when we hunt, but Murphy comes around when we least expect, sometimes. Be careful out there, friends.
Aim small,miss small

Offline J. Cook

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #16 on: October 13, 2023, 10:15:11 AM »
I fell in college, luckily I was wearing a harness (rudimentary back then, but saved me).  My father fell once and "slid" down the tree holding on "hugging" the tree.  He tore his bicep from his arm and had a major surgery as a result.  Both incidents were when we were using the Loggy Bayou Lite stand (we climbed by hugging the tree).  Those stands were "environmentally friendly" and did not bite into the tree in any way.  They simply cantilevered - slight change in weight distribution and they instantly dumped us both and slid straight to the bottom of the tree, slick as snot. 

One point I want to stress - wearing a "harness" isn't enough.  Most of us likely couldn't do anything if we were hanging from a harness on the side of a tree.  You have to have means of communication, and I suggest you upgrade your harness to one with a relief strap in it so you can "stand" in that strap to relieve pressure.  When I fell in college, I was very fit.  That allowed me to essentially hug the tree with my arms and legs and climb up, cut myself free, and shimmy down.  I could not do that today.  So if I fell...hanging there... then what?  You need to have the "then what" already answered. 

Check the straps, check the cables, etc.  Most of them are very cheap to replace, relatively speaking.  I do NOT leave stands for long periods.  In 1 year, the amount a tree grows is actually quite impressive.  So that's a lot of pressure on the straps (pressure that's NOT included in the engineered ratings). 

I still climb - both climbers and sticks / loc-on method, but I try and take great care.  The only real way to come out good here, it to not fall in the first place.  Once you've fallen, even in a harness, it's not over and you aren't safe until you're on the ground.
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Offline toddster

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #17 on: October 13, 2023, 01:52:39 PM »
J. Crook thanks for sharing, glad your okay.  Many of us (me included) was doing this before the options we have today (many of which came from our mishaps).  Today, there is no reason for it.  You are right, about fall trauma and suspension trauma, they are real and do happen.  Why, I preach have a way down to ground.  Because of this incident, I am going to start working on a video in spring for my hunter ed class and try do a few free clinics.  I still and will hunt from a tree, but please take my advice that I do every year below, share and add as see fit.  Full disclosure I have been using a saddle for many years, but decades before various stands, like everyone else. 

1.  Leave a location and time to hear from you with someone, (I drop a pin on a map, then text it to wife and say call you at "time".  If move I drop and text the new one).  If no service, before I leave, I leave a description of area, and time will call.  Also have numbers on fridge of that local sheriff and CPO.  I have a paper I give out, that if want can share, that I use home and hunting camp.
2.  Never leave the ground without being attached to the tree the whole time.
3.  Have a safe way to get back to the ground, in the event of arrest.  See number 8.
4.  Never leave equipment in nature/weather longer than three days.
5.  Each July, go through all the equipment, to ensure cables, nuts/bolts are tight.  Gives enough time to paint and get FACTORY replacement parts.
6.  If something is not right, or moves other than designed, STOP! fix it or don't use it.
7.  Always carry a pea less whistle, something orange and ace bandage/tourniquet.
8.  There are quality hitches that can belay you to ground, also a madrock safeguard for those who struggle with hitches.  Yes it's a $100, but get you to ground.
9.  Cell phone, get an idea of where you have signal.  Put in local sheriff, cpo, ems for quick call.  Keep it in secure place ON body (chest area).  When hit ground things will fly out or glasses off.  Ask, anyone who has had a fall, or an EMT who came to a car accident.
10.  In the off season, take an hour or so with a buddy/family, and go out there, and "play hurt".  This can be a fun thing to do, but more importantly is drives the reality home, prepares you and them mentally of what to do.

These things are not hard, expensive or heavy to ensure rescue.  I personally, put the cell phone way down the list, as self rescue is always the first and best option.  These are just my opinions and thoughts, please share if like.  I just want us all to enjoy our passion for as long as we can!!

Offline MCNSC

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Re: Murphy Stand accident
« Reply #18 on: October 14, 2023, 04:55:31 PM »
Yes , thanks for sharing, we need a reminder like this sometimes. I’ll be getting some lifelines for my ladders. On a side note , our neighbor fell off his roof and broke his leg pretty bad , he died from a blood clot from the wound a couple weeks later.
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