Guys I hold an OSHA certification as a competent person and work at heights on a daily basis. I am a steel inspector. I wear fall arrest gear and have all sorts of different connecting gear for different situations. The same is true for my hunting gear.
Educating yourself about ways to prevent falls and the potential forces involved in the event of a fall is something everyone who hunts from an elevated stand should do.
First things first you should inspect all components of your system prior to placing into service each time it is needed. That includes the ABCs, anchorage, bodywear, and connecting devices. If you are unsure of something do not trust it and replace it.
Learn how to properly fit and don a harness. The leg straps should be worn around the thighs and not up at the crotch like I often see. This distributes forces to the largest bones in your body, the femurs, in the event of a fall. Have someone hoist you up in your harness and you'll see what I mean. It can be a real eye opener.
Next do everything you can to reduce or eliminate the possibility of a fall. Keeping yourself on as short a leash as possible while in the tree may at times prevent you from the possibility of falling off the platform, although it doesn't help if the platform gives way.
Next minimize free fall distance. The farther you free fall the greater the arresting force your body will see. When hunting I can't really visualize a situation where a free fall should be much greater than 12 inches. This as well as the design of the lanyard strap should keep the arresting forces low.
Rule number one in the event of a fall is don't hit the ground or any other object below. This is something you have to think about. If you experience a fall the attachment point between the harness and lanyard will will end up about even with the top of your head. In addition some or all of the tear outs on the lanyard strap will tear and its overall length will increase. When all this happens where will your feet be? Make some measurements of your gear and find out. You will come to find that your are much safer sky high in a tree than you are at intermediate heights getting into or out of the tree. Hmmmm.
In the event of a fall you need to have a rescue plan. If you hunt alone self rescue is the only option. Do yourself a favor and get hung in a controlled situation and practice your anticipated rescue plan. You may find in practice that things dont go as easily as you might have thought. Make adjustments if necessary.
Wow this all seems like work doesn't it? Just think though about all the time you put into scouting and hanging stands and checking arrow and bow specs and degree of weight forward etc.... This could save your life someday.
A case in point. I had a very real and dangerous situation occur last week on the return trip from bowhunting an island on the Susquehanna river. I rolled my kayak while wearing hunting gear and chest waders. Luckily I had practiced this situation during fair weather and the procedure for self rescue was almost automatic. I wound up with no lost gear, and was able to right myself and self rescue and just wound up getting a little wet and took a bruise to my pride as I had an audience to witness my debacle. I might note that some of the folks on shore were actually impressed with how quickly and calmly I recollected and continued to shore. Bang ego back in place.
Anyhow educate yourself and practice the worst scenario you can think of. It could save your life some day.
Topic: suspension trauma (Read 988 times)
