They say it happens quick................

[23feetupandhappy]

Originally posted by reddogge:
Make a promise to yourself you'll never be unhooked in a tree again. Harness, tree attachment rope and lineman's belt.

I'll be defiantly changing how I do things and that's the key,  I didn't glean from others who have fallen and heeded their warning.  
I hope others heed the warning before something happens that they can't take back  

[23feetupandhappy]

Originally posted by DoubleLung:
Glad you're unhurt. You might need to rethink the name now though!    

23feetupandhappy was a name from back in my wheely days,
I carried it over when I started using this site.....

I'm more of a 16feetupandhappy kind of guy now  

[jax]

I stay hooked up going up and down. No reason to unhook.

[monkeyball]

I just read an article in Deer and Deer Hunting concerning tree stands and safety belts/ harnesses. It still can be a life threatening situation.

  It changed my mind about killing from the trees. Grounded for life..........my choice.

  23ft, I am glad you are no worse for the wear. You are the exception. Thank God for that.

                                                 Good Hunting,
                                                                 Craig

[kennyb]

Benjamin-glad you are not hurt physically and able to talk about this subject. I would venture to say the good Lord was with you! This is down right scary! Everyone should use a belt or harness while hunting from above. Godspeed and take care.

Kenny      

[23feetupandhappy]

Thanks all for the well wishes......

Kenny, there's no doubt that the Good Lord was with me!!!!

Lord, may I always give you the credit, for without you my life lacks purpose.........
Thank you Lord for keeping me safe  

[chall]

Glad you were ok and everything worked out. One thing I've learned is I dont bounce like I used too.

[nineworlds9]

Glad you're alright!!  Safety safety safety!  Your handle almost became "sixfeetunderandunhappy" dude!!  A sobering moment.

[Hawkeye]

I have balance trouble from medical problems, and have gone to safety lines on every ladder stand I still use.  I think you can find them a number of places, but I got mine from from Safetreehunt (add a dot com to see them).  I'm secure from the time my feet leave the ground until they are back on the ground again.

Glad you are OK, and that you WEREN'T "23feetup"!

[23feetupandhappy]

Originally posted by Hawkeye:
I have balance trouble from medical problems, and have gone to safety lines on every ladder stand I still use.  I think you can find them a number of places, but I got mine from from Safetreehunt (add a dot com to see them).  I'm secure from the time my feet leave the ground until they are back on the ground again.

Glad you are OK, and that you WEREN'T "23feetup"!

Thanks Hawkeye, Ill give it a look  

[Tajue17]

I have a brandnew Gorilla harness in the package I never used if you want it.

[23feetupandhappy]

Originally posted by Tajue17:
I have a brandnew Gorilla harness in the package I never used if you want it.

Thanks for the offer Tajue17!

I have and wear a harness while in the stand but now will implement a linesman belt for putting up and taking down stands    

Thanks again for your generosity!!!

[Altiman94]

I also use a lineman's belt (scare strap) but what I am not sure of is how to move from my last stick up into the stand and from the stand to my last stick.  Even using a lineman's belt wouldn't prefer a fall in those 2 cases.

I have to unhook the lineman's belt to move from the sticks to the stand and getting down to the first stick - then I can hook back in.  So for that split moment - I am unhooked.

I understand using a life line but since I put up and tear down on each hunt - I still have those two moments where I am not tied in.

For those of you that hung and hunt - how do you stay 100% tied in?  Even when using a life line - I envision the initial hanging of the life line still have those two moments unhooked because the life time is tied in above the level of the treestand.  Since those 2 times are the most likely to fall - how do you avoid it?

[Altiman94]

EDIT:  On second thought - I could hook in a lifeline while standing on my top stick before setting my stand but while still hooked in with a lineman's belt....then I'd leave the lifeline hooked up until I get my stand down and am tied in with my lineman's belt again....

Still curious how others do it - trying to avoid future falls for anyone reading this thread.

[reddogge]

Altiman94, you can do either of two things. Before unhooking your linemans belt you can attach your tether to your regular tree stand attachment rope or belt above the sticks or around the sticks and then adjust and then unhook your linemans belt.

Or you could climb with two linemans belts and use one below and throw one above and then unhook the lower one to climb up.

I make my own linemans belts out of climbing line, prusik knot and two locking carabiners.

[Fritz]

Glad you are alright! The older I get the more I like ladder stands.

[23feetupandhappy]

Originally posted by Altiman94:
EDIT:  On second thought - I could hook in a lifeline while standing on my top stick before setting my stand but while still hooked in with a lineman's belt....then I'd leave the lifeline hooked up until I get my stand down and am tied in with my lineman's belt again....

Still curious how others do it - trying to avoid future falls for anyone reading this thread.

I'm guna start another thread asking this very question.
Hopefully we can get some good creative ideas!!!!!

[Tsalt]

Originally posted by 23feetupandhappy:
 

Originally posted by Altiman94:
EDIT:  On second thought - I could hook in a lifeline while standing on my top stick before setting my stand but while still hooked in with a lineman's belt....then I'd leave the lifeline hooked up until I get my stand down and am tied in with my lineman's belt again....

Still curious how others do it - trying to avoid future falls for anyone reading this thread.

I'm guna start another thread asking this very question.
Hopefully we can get some good creative ideas!!!!! [/b]

I would love to read a detailed description of how guys go up and down a tree while hooked on.  I hunt out of so many different types of trees... I hung a stand in one last night that has branches all over it...I can't imaging how I would stayed tied off and get up to the stand.  But I want to learn!  I always have the sense that I will never fall because I just know what I'm doing... that is foolish of me because it's obvious it can happen to anyone.  I'll be following along on that new thread.  
btw 23... glad your ok!  Sounds like your guardian angles softened your landing!   Ps. 91:11!!

[23feetupandhappy]

Originally posted by Tsalt:
 

Originally posted by 23feetupandhappy:
 

Originally posted by Altiman94:
EDIT:  On second thought - I could hook in a lifeline while standing on my top stick before setting my stand but while still hooked in with a lineman's belt....then I'd leave the lifeline hooked up until I get my stand down and am tied in with my lineman's belt again....

Still curious how others do it - trying to avoid future falls for anyone reading this thread.

I'm guna start another thread asking this very question.
Hopefully we can get some good creative ideas!!!!! [/b]

I would love to read a detailed description of how guys go up and down a tree while hooked on.  I hunt out of so many different types of trees... I hung a stand in one last night that has branches all over it...I can't imaging how I would stayed tied off and get up to the stand.  But I want to learn!  I always have the sense that I will never fall because I just know what I'm doing... that is foolish of me because it's obvious it can happen to anyone.  I'll be following along on that new thread.  
btw 23... glad your ok!  Sounds like your guardian angles softened your landing!   Ps. 91:11!! [/b]

You got that right Brother  
I have many of the same questions!!!!

Started a new thread up top

[Jock Whisky]

When first setting up the stand there is no lifeline to tie into. I have to get on the stand to install it. That's why I use a linemans belt. It also frees up both hands which is reason enough to use it, never mind the safety aspect.

So with my linemans belt I use two straps when installing and taking down a stand. One is around the tree as I climb and install the stand. The other just hangs until I need it. After the stand is installed, the second strap goes around the tree above the stand. I can then safely unhook the first strap and just let it hang and carry on. For taking the stand down I just reverse the process.

Is it a bit of a fuss? Yes. But being crippled or dead is a bigger fuss. And I'm 64 and don't bounce nearly as well as I used to.

As far as happening quick the OP is correct. A buddy fell 20 feet when his stand let go. His friends used to say they'd just grab a branch on the way down. He replied that he was on the ground long before he even had time to think about grabbing anything. He sustained a couple of cracked ribs and bruising. A very lucky man.