Saftey Harness

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I find my saftey harness design is not very user friendly. It would be fine for a gun but it seems it it difficult to shoot anywhere on my right. It is a pain to put ion in the dark and has many metal brakets that can clank on things.  Long story Short it is a pain in the butt to use.

What are recommendations for saftey harnesses and why?

[OHtar]

i use an hunter saftey system vest-harness. it works fairly well with my compounds, and longbow. just tried a buddies spider harness, and really liked it. its a bit more but, i think worth it in the end. it was less bulky, and allowed more freedom of movement.
also pay attention to where your strap goes aroung the tree. i need mine just above eye level to allow me to shoot in every direction. too high, or too low and shots to my left can be tricky.

[Stumpkiller]

I use some ancient thing from Hunter's Specialties that snugs up under my arms.  Probably strangle me or just spin me around feet first before snapping but I do use it religiously when in a tree.  At least my carcass will be above coyote level.  I can't find an image like it on the web so it's probably been recalled or the type declared illegal.

Had a hefty co-worker years ago that had a rotted platform stand give out drop him 15 feet and broke both sides of his hip.  He was never right again.  No safety harness.  Certainly use something!

[caleb7mm]

been using a HSS vest for years now. I use the mesh one. No problems using while shooting.

[ber643]

There are a couple of other recent/current threads about safety harnesses with a lot of good info in them that you might want to check out also. I'll see if I can find one and link it here.

Here you go:

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=107855;p=3#000030

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=109358#000002

[huntmaster70]

Charlie, What harness are you using? I've got the HSS Pro-vest now but its alittle heavy. Thinking about getting the HSS "lite" harness(doesn't have the vest part just the straps)

[BowHunterGA]

HSS Pro vest and Summit Seat of teh pants. Like the both. The SOP is a bit lighter but a little harder to put on. The HSS is a breeze to put on but is heavier and during the early season is just too hot. Both are comfortable to wear and from my mock falls in the backyard they arrest your fall without a lot of pain or being overly uncomfortable. I have not sat in one the amount of time it would take someone to find me should I ever fall while hunting though.

[Stumpkiller]

No idea what model it is.  Has to be 25 years old.  Has a Nylon belt with slide/lock buckle, two shoulder straps that cross at the back and have adjustment buckles and a seperate tree belt with a non-adjustable connector strap between them.  Only selling point it has is that is is not in bulky or in the way and I have actually leaned out relying on it to hold me for a shot to my right for tree clearance.

   

I figure if the stand fails I'll be OK as long as I keep my arms down!


I was in a "loaned" stand years ago that was a homebuilt.  The design was a V of metal that connected at the front of the platform and hung below the stand so the point of the V went into the tree.  A 1/2" poly rope at the back of the stand lashed it to the tree.  All was well as long as you kept your weight on the front of the platform.  No seat.  

At some point I shifted a bit and brought one foot back.  The whole thing dropped a foot and then "caught" again.  I think that was when my hair started to turn gray.

[Jeff Strubberg]

I use an SOP harness.  The vest harnesses are probably safer, but that's a lot of nylon for me to scrape somethign across and make noise in the woods.  Too reflective for my tastes, too.

[kat]

Charlie,
    Just bought a Hunter Safety System Pro vest. It goes on quick, and I really like the quick snap leg straps.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

:eek:   I have been away from the market way too long.

I cant believe the advances both in product and price.

Looks like I will deal with the old crappy one till I can afford a nice one.  I like the looks of the safety System pro and CDS but will have to save up for a while.

[lpcjon2]

I have and still use a Summit rock climbing seat harness, I climbed cliff's in the Corps and have been hanging upside down in it and had no problems. They do carry some for tree climbers that have H harnesses on them. It is comfortable and gives you tons of mobility.go to the website and look at some.Tim

[rraming]

After a little mishap this year I redid my safety stuff. I have always used Summit SOP, looked into it more and they expire 5years after production. I really don't care if they may still work, I would like them to work. Went with Hunter Safety Systems lite one, black not camo, it was cheaper. The other HSS I had held were heavy, this one is easy on and off, light and adjusts well. I'm fussy and would just buy another if I didn't like it. I recommend it highly, along with the lifeline.

[Mike Mongelli]

I have been using the HSS pro vest for the past few years but I just picked up the Muddy brand harness. The Muddy harness is lighter, more adjustable and quite a bit cheaper.

[Jim Boettcher]

I just started using one this year after 25 years of sitting in trees. Figured I pushed my luck long enough. I got the Treehopper safety belt from Black Widow. It does have a couple of metal rings but I wrapped them with electrical tape. I like it so far and it doubles as a deer drag too.

[Fallguy]

Stumpkiller I teach bow hunter Ed. and that style is no better than the old waist belt style. Try hanging in it at home some time when you have someone to help you out. You will not be able to move in about 30 seconds. That does not include the impact you would have in a fall. You really should get a full body style harness.

[Green Mountain Boy]

I use the HHS Pro vest as well, I really like it for ease of use and comfort.  The only problem I have is that my legs seem to be just the wrong size and the adjustment buckles rub together, the buckles are coated but they make an annoying click. I remedied the problem by using electrical tape on them but that kills any adjustability unless I want to untape and retape which I do as it gets colder and wear more layers.

[reddogge]

Stumpkiller, I strongly suggest you move up to a modern harness system. Your life isn't worth fooling around with that old stuff.

[Stumpkiller]

Will do!

I never spent much time in treestands previously but the last few years it has become my preferred bow method.

[Mr.Magoo]

Don't forget, you can get harnesses and fall restraint systems from places like arborist supply sites, rock climbing sites etc ...  And they're often less expensive.