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Author Topic: Hanging from trees  (Read 1551 times)

Offline leatherneck

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #20 on: August 13, 2008, 07:54:00 PM »
I used just the waist belt about 5-6 years ago. Heard something behind me and stretched too far. Out went the stand and there I am hanging there.    :scared:   At least I didn't drop my bow.   :bigsmyl:  

After I gained my composure back, I was able to gtet the stand back under me and get back up. I immediately went home cause I was pretty shook up. Now mind you , those days I got up about 25 feet.

The next 2-weeks left my back in some pretty bad pain. I was lucky!

Went and bought a Screaming Eagle full body harness and love it. They are no longer made but you can still find them.

Anyhow, your doing the right thing going to a harness. There are several good ones. Find one that is comfortable for you. Another I've used that is SOP and it's a good one.Best of luck and stay safe.

Mike
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying"

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Offline Fletcher

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #21 on: August 13, 2008, 10:41:00 PM »
KC, I have both SOP styles, and like the Fastback better.  I put it in a separate bag but it is easier to put on than the other model.

I'm one of the safety geeks at work and have trained with harnesses and belts.  Belts are not made to catch you; only to keep you from getting to the edge where you might fall.  If you fall with only a belt, it can very easily hurt or kill you.  Go with the harness.

A harness should be designed to support your weight by your legs.  That is the only part of your body that can take the impact and weight of the fall.  Stay far away from the HSS or any other model where the straps go down thru your crotch.  Just visualize your boys catching the brunt of your weight at the end of a two foot fall.
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Offline kctreeman

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #22 on: August 13, 2008, 11:04:00 PM »
OK OK consider me converted. Don''t want to become a statistic. I'll use my sop fastback and get used to it. Joe, whip that safety line you mention , is that the one that goes all the way to the ground and the prussick slides on it, so that you can be tied in all the way down if needed?  Do you use that going upalso?  How does it secure at the top of the tree?  just a loop or does it have a snap or carabeener? Surely you dont have to tie it onto the tree each time do you. I guess the flat web belt isn't needed around the tree to hook your teather with that set-up?Thanks guys this has been interesting and helpful. on't want to give up the tree hunting like my buddy Irish who made a commitment to stay on the ground this year. Kind of the fish out of water story with Mel.

Offline Whip

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #23 on: August 13, 2008, 11:40:00 PM »
I bought a seperate safety line for each of my stands.  When I first hang the stand or secure the ladder it just loops around the tree over my head and stays there all fall.  I clip into the prusic knot before ever stepping from the ground, and remain clipped to it until I come back down.  Seems like overkill maybe on the ladder stands, but man, does it make me feel good!  It's not hard to slip when climbing one of those when things are wet or slippery.  It sure has eliminated a lot of the danger of tree stand hunting for me.
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Offline Hot Hap

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #24 on: August 14, 2008, 02:18:00 AM »
I don't hunt out of trees, but go back and read Pat B's post. Hap

Offline Pullonmylimb

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #25 on: August 14, 2008, 07:14:00 AM »
I work as a steel inspector and if anyone has ever seen videos of men falling from improperly rigged harnesses or those of old design you would never think of going up without a good fall protection system.  A lot of tough guys have been killed by thier fall protection after dropping some amazingly short distances.  

Your a tree climber by profession so I'm sure your in shape and like me heights don't bother you.  However trust me and the folks at TMA/OSHA full body harness sytem is the only way to go.  Once you get used to them they are not so bad.

By the way my tether to the tree is a retractable type that stops when you pull it with any speed like a cars seat belt.  I either bolt or strap it to the tree with a load bearing caribeener type set up.  If it is in a permanent stand location the web strap is long enough to put in place at the top od the tree and clip off at the bottom of the stand so i can climb while tied off.

No one is above the laws of gravity and physics.
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Offline Rich LaBombard

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #26 on: August 14, 2008, 02:32:00 PM »
Good Point, regarding those videos.
My stand came with a DVD that showed falls, and even though staged for a camera, it happens pretty darn FAST.
I liked WHip's statement about "overkill", like him, I have a wife and kid's depending on dad to be safe.

A guy near here (NH) fell of a five foot ladder, putting up Christmas lights, last December.  He will never walk, move his arms, or legs again.

I think about being 20' high on a wet/slippery stand...   Yes, I keep the tether tight!

Offline barebow

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #27 on: August 14, 2008, 06:31:00 PM »
Lots of folks talk about how good the HSS is, but how many ever tried to hang from one? I saw a test video done on it where a guy easily let himself off of the stand. The straps wedged up into his crotch to the point where he could hardly breath and definitely did not recommend that item. I’m thinking about buying the Gorilla Safety Vest. The straps go around the legs in such a way as to not put the bind on the boyz  down below.
"Killing an animal is intrinsic to the hunt. It shouldn't be glorified, but conducted with respect and reverence..." - Gene Wensel _ Primal Dreams

Offline Dave Lay

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #28 on: August 14, 2008, 07:45:00 PM »
I also think the SOP is about the best out there, I have a older one, and use a 2nd rope when climbing so going around limbs or the stand, i am always attached.. This has saved my hide more than once. from a guy that has hit the ground from to high.. The waist belt can turn ya wrong or cut off your wind. I dont like the HSS because of the bulky buckles and over all weight..
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Offline BD

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #29 on: August 14, 2008, 11:39:00 PM »
I've used SOP, HSS, and Loggy Bayou. The Loggy is by far the best IMO.
BD

Offline kctreeman

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #30 on: August 15, 2008, 10:37:00 AM »
Bearbow, I took the sop back yesterday. Heading to basspro today to pick up a gorrilla harness. Looks like it would be much more comfortable to use and hang in.   BD, how does the loggy model fit on the legs? between them or on the outside?
Thanks guys for all of the comments.

Offline upatree

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #31 on: August 15, 2008, 04:36:00 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by kctreeman:
Bearbow, I took the sop back yesterday. Heading to basspro today to pick up a gorrilla harness. Looks like it would be much more comfortable to use and hang in.   BD, how does the loggy model fit on the legs? between them or on the outside?
Thanks guys for all of the comments.
It's a small strap(that will not tangle) that you step into and it has adjusting straps with quick release.  The best harness I have ever used.
Treat others as you would want to be treated.

Offline Guru

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #32 on: August 15, 2008, 08:34:00 PM »
I learned in a fall protection class that an average size man puts 1400ft/lbs of pressure on the body in just a 4ft fall with a waist belt.....that's why the construction industry did away with them. Like someone said earlier....Guys were getting killed by their own fall protection!!!!Only full body harnesses allowed now.

I've been using the Loggy Bayou for 4 yrs now....simple,lightweight, hardly know you're wearing it....
Curt } >>--->   

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Offline Sharpend60

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #33 on: August 16, 2008, 01:20:00 PM »
I know nothing about hunting from a tree stand but... I do know something about climbing.
Whats wrong with a rock climbing style sit-harness?

I sit in mine for several hours at a time, 4 days a week, over 40 ft off the deck and also regularly fall 10+ ft (up to 40ft) in it.
Light, economical and pretty hard to screw up. Just make sure you have some sort of dynamic tether. Seems ultra safe to me.

Offline Rich LaBombard

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #34 on: August 16, 2008, 09:31:00 PM »
I'm not the expert here, but I believe those rock climbing harnesses do not stop you from flipping over?

Offline Sharpend60

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #35 on: August 16, 2008, 11:42:00 PM »
Yeah you got a point. It takes some know-how to stay upright.

Offline trapperDave

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #36 on: August 17, 2008, 10:30:00 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Pat B:
Even a full harness can be deadly if you don't get out of it within about 15 minutes after falling. I keep a sharp knife attached to the strap of my harness.     Pat
BS! How many times have you seen on the news where window washers/ roofers have scaffoloding collapse and they hang there(comfy and content as is possible in the situation) for hours waiting on help??? Happened just this week in Indianapolis. waist belts will kill you if left hanging there long at all.

Offline bootheeltechy

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #37 on: August 17, 2008, 11:51:00 AM »
Trapper Dave, Pat B isn't to far off base. My supervisor at work recieved a letter here while back about from OSHA about  harness related injuries and deaths. Wish I had the memo, I'd post it here for all to see.
TGMM family of the bow

Offline ChetterB

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #38 on: August 17, 2008, 03:59:00 PM »
Hunted with the loggy bayou harness system, works excellent. Hunt in Wisconsin in cold weather, with no issues. Jerry

Offline Three Arrows

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Re: Hanging from trees
« Reply #39 on: August 17, 2008, 06:47:00 PM »
We are going to keep screwing around up in trees where we don't belong and it will eventually be banned I think.  Harnesses have gotten very complicated to the point of looking like one has to wear a harnessed hunting suit!  Maybe tree elevators will be next?  Treeclimbing... it aint for everybody.  Most have no business being in one since mistakes and falls are inevitable.  I've even seen squirrels fall out from 40+ feet up in a tree!  I am not picking a fight or argument here, rather just making a statement.  I have been in trees and falls with and without harnesses myself.  I even can even climb most trees I hunt from without aids.  If you climb trees, you might fall.  If you cannot be comfortable, stay on the ground.  No?

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