Recommendations--time to upgrade my tree security

[olddogrib]

Okay, I'm not as young (or as dumb) as I used to be and probably could use a bit more security in the tree.  I'm not telling what I've usd for the past 40 years (don't want to hear the flack), but I will admit it was woefully inadequate. I already know a full body harness would drive me nuts, but I might step up to a climbing harness used in conjuction with a home-made "lineman's belt", i.e. climbing rope, ascender, carabiner. It's just that it looks like all climbing harnesses attach in the front, I'd prefer the back. I think I'd really like a simple stout belt with 'D' rings on the side, but I know the danger there is getting upside down.  Reasonable alternatives please, my old ar*e may depend on it. Pics are helpful...I'm still a little slow on the uptake, but some of the stuff these days looks like it came from the "kinky" store.

[hockey7]

-look at rock climber harnesses. Very lightweight, easy to put on, keeps you upright if you fall, not expensive, available in dark colours.

[The Night Stalker]

I use the hunter safety system vest with the webbing sewed to the vest.  Every setup has a climbing rope/ Prussik with a screw eye attached to the base of the tree.

[old_goat2]

Originally posted by The Night Stalker:
I use the hunter safety system vest with the webbing sewed to the vest.  Every setup has a climbing rope/ Prussik with a screw eye attached to the base of the tree.

X2, I have their cheapest model and it's actually very comfortable! I received some professional training at work because we work aloft sometimes, the system you described is about a millimeter up the list from wearing nothing at all! The vest on the HSS kind of keeps all the webbing organized so it doesn't drive you nuts!

[jjwaldman]

I would second the climbing harness. You can get a good one pretty cheap.  If you are interested in a combo stand and harness, you could go with one of these:

 http://newtribe.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=134

This is my stand and harness.  I love it.

[Iowabowhunter]

I like my Muddy Treestand Harness w/linemans belt.

[EHK]

X3 on the hunter's safety system vest here.  It's so comfortable you won't even know you have it on.  Couple that with one of their lifelines which you can leave connected to the tree all the time, and you are secure from ground to stand and back.  I don't like using a lineman's belt - I find it to be a hassle.  the lifeline is the best safety investment I ever made.

[JAG]

Hunters Safety System or eat of the Pants.  Both good annd safe.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The safety line you use is just as important as your harness. They make a shock cord that cushions your fall instead of jerking you to a stop. using a climbing belt with D rings for setting a stand is a good idea if its used properly, but falling from a stand with it will do a hell of a lot more damage to you than hanging upside down..... it can break your back and paralyze you for life.

Either use an approved safety harness and get used to it, or stay out of a tree stand is my opinion.

If you feel i'm giving you some flack, so be it. archers die, or get seriously injured every year falling out of trees.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The safety line you use is just as important as your harness. They make a shock cord that cushions your fall instead of jerking you to a stop. using a climbing belt with D rings for setting a stand is a good idea if its used properly, but falling from a stand with it will do a hell of a lot more damage to you than hanging upside down..... it can break your back and paralyze you for life.

Either use an approved safety harness and get used to it, or stay out of a tree stand is my opinion.

If you feel i'm giving you some flack, so be it. archers die, or get seriously injured every year falling out of trees.

[MCNSC]

Harnesses are not bad or at all. I need to upgrade mine as I know improvements have been made in the past few years. They are not in the way, awkward or noisy, there is really no reason not to wear one.

[Tony Z]

Hunter Safety System vest can be a little much if you wear it on the way to stand in warm weather. The Tree Spider or Muddy harness are cooler and less cumbersome. TonyZ.

[ishoot4thrills]

Originally posted by EHK:
......Couple that with one of their lifelines which you can leave connected to the tree all the time, and you are secure from ground to stand and back.  I don't like using a lineman's belt - I find it to be a hassle.  the lifeline is the best safety investment I ever made.

X2 on the safety/life line and some type of harness. I bought one(Muddy Outdoors safety line, $29.99) and it's great. Very simple and hassle-free once fixed to the tree. I use a lineman's belt to attach climbing sticks and loc-on type stands to the tree.

I have a wife and three teenage kids and I don't intend to leave her/them spouseless or fatherless, at least not if I can help it. Like Kirk said, if you can't, or won't, use a harness, then hunt from the ground.  

[ddauler]

This is my first year wearing a harness I hunted 30 years with a simple one piece belt if I used anything. I bought a muddy and it is light simple and most of all cool. It's hot here in Ga. I really like it when hanging loc on stands. I don't use the tree strap I use the rope with the prussic knot for linemans belt and for the tether works great.

[30coupe]

I bought a Big Game harness like this one:

 http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/412421/big-game-ironhide-treestand-safety-harness-epic-camo

I got it on sale at Menards for $37.95. It is cool, comfortable and secure, not to mention cheap. I broke one of the plastic buckles on my out of date HSS vest, so I thought I'd give this one a try. I think I like it batter than the HSS, and it comes with the lineman's belt and tree strap. The only negative is it only came with one carabiner, so I had to add one for use with the lineman's belt...pretty insignificant since I have several of them already.

BTW: I am with Kirk 100 percent on this topic. For the few dollars it costs to be safe, it is extremely foolish to do otherwise. I feel way more comfortable in my safety harness than I would in a full body cast...or a casket.