Treestand safety

[Tom L]

So I have never done this right most of the time wearing no safety belt at all. Dumb I know. Ok. But I'm getting older 61 and I'm ready to change all that and do things right. I use lock On style stands. So what do I need to be tied off to the tree at all times?

Thanks for the help
Tom

[Rustic]

HSS Harness worked for me. Do a web search and you will find more info about this great product.

[Wheels2]

http://www.bowhunterssuperstore.com/gorilla-gtac-safety-harness-mens-120300lbs-infinity-p-1882551.html

Use the lineman's belt around the tree when climbing and once in the stand convert to the back tether.
I have and have used others that came with various stands, but this one is much easier to put on in the darkness or can be worn while walking into the woods.

[Tom L]

Thanks.

Founds this on youtube
 

[KSdan]

More important discussion right here on TG:

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=138850

[Fletcher]

Safe Tree Hunt makes great lanyards, tethers and long ropes and has some good video.

 http://safetreehunt.com/

I've been using Summit or a lightweight HSS harness for several years.  Both work well, along with several others.  Just get a good one.  The lineman's belt is crucial for climbing and hanging the stand.  If you leave your stand up, drop a long lanyard that goes from above the stand to the ground.  You'll hook up before you climb and stay hooked until you get back down.

There was a great video posted recently showing how one guy goes up and down.  I'll see if I can find it.

[Fletcher]

Here it is:   http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=139135#000000

[onewhohasfun]

Just bought an HSS lightweight harness on sale for $50 at Cabelas, reg. $110. Comes with a free $25 climbing belt.

[dbd870]

Another HSS fan here.

[AKP]

Lots of good harnesses out there.  I use a rope with a sliding section attached with a prussic knot.  You attach at the ground and stay attached until you leave.  Been doing this for several years and won't hunt from a tree any other way.  

As mentioned above, the HSS lightweight is excellent.  I like a smaller harness that I can wear under a jacket or other clothing.

[LB_hntr]

I have been using a prusik knot lineman belt for the youth hunt while my son uses my custom lineman belt with the ascender. I can honestly say the prusik knot is such a pain in the but compared to a lineman belt with an ascender! the whole time i missed my one handed operation with the ascender and cussed at that prusik knot the whole time. I will never use a prusik knot lineman belt again. Granted they are the best "commercial bought" lineman belts, but nothing link the simplicity and speed of the ascender.
  If you are gonna climb trees with a lineman belt the ascender is the best way to go.