Mike, I am sorry to hear about your accident, and hope you make a full recovery. It is unfortunate, because most accidents are preventable, I guess we get over confident, in a hurry or don't think it will happen to us.
I gave up climbing trees as a kid after several accidents, but would like to hear what you can do to avoid an accident while using any tree stand. Hope you will give it some thought, and maybe start a new thread. Your story might save a brother from an accident. Take care.