SSWV's tree step education program (GRAPHIC PIC)

[tradtusker]

geezz thats a good touch up! sorry to hear about that. can you sill shoot alright?

[sswv]

hey Deadbolt!  the Doctor in the ER that did the sewing (30 minutes worth) said the exact same thing. she told me I was VERY lucky. yes tradtusker' I have been shooting and I'm actually going hunting tomorrow. the step that popped out was one with the fold-in screw 'JUNK'. I did have a climbing belt on but it was unhooked because I was climbing up past a limb. I hope my mishap opens everyones eyes to just how fast something fun can turn bad, and bad quick. I do feel VERY blessed that it wasn't any worse.

thank you to everyone for the kind words and support.

Danny

[tradtusker]

"yes tradtusker' I have been shooting and I'm actually going hunting tomorrow." good on ya  

things could have got very interesting if you had torn the artery. best of luck with the Hunt hope you heal up quick  

[john gerrard]

Sorry to see that. Sure hope you heal enough to get in some hunting time. Let's Go Mountaineers.  John

[sswv]

just thought I'd show ya'll the type of step that "let me down".  LOL  

[TomMcDonald]

so how long till you'll draw a bowstring?

[Minuteman]

Good thing it didn't catch you under the chin . We'd be lamenting yer loss right now if it had.
 I'm tossing the last of my screw in steps.

[Red Beastmaster]

I only have a few but they are going in the garbage.

[sswv]

I guess this has put a 'slow down' on the screw-in step market BUT, the climbing stick business is picking up. my friends and myself ordered six sets. I really do thank everyone for their concerns and just to let ya'll know...I am healing pretty good and shooting everyday. even went hunting yesterday.

hunt safe
Danny

[sswv]

forgot to mention....the step pictured above was made by 'Game Tracker' which is no longer in business. if any of you have these type of steps PLEASE, use them with caution or do like most of us have, toss'em.

hunt safe
Danny

[JEFF B]

thats why i hunt on the ground. much safer cant fall to far. heal quick danny

[Big_Al]

I don't think the Ameristep steps with the long threads and one-piece construction are nearly as dangerous as that multi-piece folding junk.  You've still gotta be careful, though - the steps may not fail, but you can still have a foot slip off a step while you're climbing.

[Bear]

I was wondering when someone would notice the obvious proximity to the artery! This not only shows how quikly things can turn, but how a quarter inch can be the difference between a story you laugh at someday, and something unthinkable.

I had a non-hunting-related accident leave me hanging from a harness a couple years ago. It is just shocking how quikly things can go South.

Hope everyone pays attention.

[Kingwouldbe]

Thank God your all right.  

[Brian Krebs]

I use tree steps; but not those kind ! I take care to make sure the step is screwing into not BARK but tree- and all the way in.

 As stated before; most steps - all that I use- have twice as much thread as that fold up one pictured. Ameristeps warn you to screw them in all the way; and flat against the tree- not on an angle.

 For those of you that use any kind of step system: always have three steps supporting you when you climb.

 I cannot believe nobody has fallen from other types of steps.... personally I have fallen on the ground while walking on the ground. Steps don't cause accidents; people cause accidents!  
  :rolleyes:

[sswv]

"Steps don't cause accidents; people cause accidents!"  

I have to disagree with that statement Brian! I had that step screwed in all the way. there's nothing I could have done different, it just popped out. the threads are just too dang short on those type. maybe this thread and my bad luck will save someone from an even worse injury.

hunt safe
Danny

[A.S.]

Danny, hope youe heal up soon. Thanks a bunch for the picture of the step. I have a couple sets of those same ones. They won't be going out with my again!!

[Brian Krebs]

sswv
     I agree - those steps were to dang short for any tree or for safe use. I too hope people think twice before using them !
  I am just saying; if there is a way to fall off any step; somebody like me will find it      

[sswv]

hey Brian!   guess we all need to be extra careful while we're out, steps or no steps. have a SAFE season.

[Chris Lantz]

Ouch, that looks nasty. I never liked screw-in steps like that or metal climbing sticks where the steps stick out from the tree, they have sharp edges to fall on even if you slip and catch yourself. The rail style ladder steps look a lot better to me.

I’ve been using homemade Wadsworth style climbing blocks (from the old IBEP manual) for years. While I wouldn’t recommend anyone to use anything homemade when it comes to tree stands, (knock on wood) I have yet to have a problem with these climbing blocks.