| If you don't want to become a statistic like so | | | | there's ice or snow on the steps or ladder. These |
| many other hunters, you need to know how to | | | | can lead to dangerous slips. Always make sure |
| hunt safely from a tree stand. Almost one in | | | | your climbing steps aren't loose before you put |
| every three hunters who use tree stands will end | | | | your full weight on them. If they fail, you could |
| up in an accident that causes them injury. These | | | | take a fall. |
| injuries can be severe, from broken bones and | | | | If you do fall while wearing your harness, try not |
| fractures to death. | | | | to hang from the tree any longer than absolutely |
| The following safety tips will help you have a safe | | | | necessary. Get yourself out of the situation while |
| hunt the next time you climb into a tree stand. | | | | your adrenaline is high. The longer you stay |
| Heed the warnings and use your common sense | | | | suspended, the harder it will be to get yourself to |
| and you can insure you make it out of your tree | | | | safety. Take pressure off the harness by |
| stand injury free. | | | | grabbing and holding onto the tree, the ladder, or |
| Safety harnesses are the most important piece | | | | the steps and then use them to help you climb |
| of equipment you will wear into your tree stand. | | | | down the tree or climb back into the tree stand. |
| You might know your safety harness as a fall | | | | As I mentioned before, after a fall, you need to |
| arrest system, but they mean the same thing. | | | | replace your harness for safety reasons. The fall |
| The harness is worn by the hunter so that when | | | | could damage the harness and it could fail in the |
| he falls he won't hit the ground and do himself | | | | event of a future fall. |
| serious injury. Full body harnesses are the | | | | When you're climbing into your tree stand, don't |
| recommended style and if you wear something | | | | carry more than the necessary items with you |
| less than this, you need to upgrade your safety | | | | such as a cell phone, radio, flare or flashlight. You |
| harness immediately. | | | | need these items with you so you can signal or |
| You should wear the harness not only while you're | | | | call someone if you are in an accident, but the |
| sitting in the tree stand, but during your climb up | | | | rest of your gear should be hauled up to you with |
| and down the tree. Many falls happen during this | | | | a haul line after you reach your tree stand. |
| time, so don't think you're safe if you wait until | | | | Try not to climb too high into a tree with your |
| you're in the stand to use the harness. | | | | tree stand. The higher you are, the more likely |
| Keep your harness's safety strap attached to the | | | | any fall you have is going to lead to serious |
| tree at all times. Inspect your harness regularly | | | | injuries. |
| for wear and tear, and if you ever fall, replace | | | | Tree stand safety is an important issue for |
| your harness afterward. The stresses of the fall | | | | hunters to think about and deal with. Being |
| could damage the harness, making it less safe in | | | | prepared with a plan in case of a fall is also |
| the event of future falls. | | | | important. If you want to stay safe, you need to |
| To help prevent a fall, keep in contact with the | | | | pay attention to the tree you're climbing and trust |
| tree, the ladder, or the steps you use to get up | | | | your gut when it tells you you're high enough, or |
| the tree. The more contact you have, the better | | | | that you might be pushing yourself too hard. |
| prepared you are to quickly recover if you lose | | | | Follow all the safety guidelines mentioned above, |
| your balance or slip. Take it easy when you're | | | | and you're assured of a much safer hunt the |
| climbing a tree in cold weather, just in case | | | | next time you head into the woods. |