Dennis,
People have accidents...likely why the word came into being... some people cause accidents some people are caused BY accident! :eek:
Getting up dead-dark-thirty, heaving our carcass to a hunting sight, is all out of normal behavior patterns and the mind can have a hiccup.
I recall that Deer & Deer HUnting mag many moons ago did a Tree Stand Fall study and said 80% of falls happen getting into or out of the stand...
I used to unbuckle my climbing rope/strap on my SOP to get ONTO the stand... then I bought a 2nd one and when I got to the stand, affixed it in place so I could attach to it before I undid my safety climbing belt.
It just pays to go the extra mile and SLOW DOWN.