I fell out of my stand yesterday

Well not actually out of the stand, I was climbing down when a rung of the ladder gave way causing me to fall... about 2 inches or so, an exaggeration it was probably more. I have lifelines attached to each and every tree we climb, this one worked as it was suppose to. Upon arriving at the tree, all we do is attach our climbing vest with a climbing rated locking carabiner to a prusick knot attached to a lifeline that it attached to the tree above the stand. As we climb/ascend the tree we slide the knot up/down the lifeline. When the rung broke, all my weight was going down the prusick knot turned on it's side and stopped me immediately... the vest didn't even pinch the boys! This was one of the lower if not lowest stands that we have, without the climbing system we use I would have only fallen 14' or so; but straight onto my back, would have been worse if one for the 20' stands. I had to climb back up the ladder to take the stress of the knot before heading back down. Time to swap out the ladder for one of the TV antanee towers we have picked up and stored for just an occasion... means what was one of our lowest stands may now become one of the taller ones! BTW, I am lucky to be in an area where we do not have a Controlled Hunt this week so I was in the stand with my bow.

If you do not use a climbing system like we do... start to, accidents happen.

Some examples:

http://www.huntersafetysystem.com/lifelines-1/

http://www.lonewolfhuntingproducts.c...ine__TSSL.aspx

I have both of the above; but now I make my own with the proper ropes from Cancord http://www.cancord.com/ which can be ordered thru http://ropeshop.ca/

The rope you can buy at Canadian Tire or TSC may work, may not, do it right get rope made to save your life.

A good reminder for all.

Number 1 reason for an accident while Hunting....climbing up/down...includes doing so with a loaded rifle. My wife see them every year coming thru the ER in Ottawa. Some with life altering results.

Like Doug has said...get the equipment you need to stay safe !!

Not sure if this applies...when I was climbing in the everest region, a famous climber slipped and fell but was saved by his rope. He did not change to a new rope, as per standard climbing rules. Shortly after he fell again, but the rope then broke. I think they are still looking for him ; ) . Not sure how much stress your gear took?

Don.

I fell out of my tree stand about 15 years ago. Was cross bow hunting and had been sitting cross legged for about 4 hrs. When I stood up my legs went numb and then they folded and I went over as I went I threw my cross bow in the other directions. I think I was out for a few minutes pretty sure I suffered a concussion as I got severe migraines for about 2 months afterwards.. I remember when I got up I check to make sure I had not been pierced by any sticks or branches. Back then I never told my wife or anyone for that matter where it was that I hunted. I guess if I had been more seriously hurt nobody would have known where to find me.

That is why i have changed my hunting strategies and started to build hunting shacks with an actual set of stairs and hand rail. My days of climbing into a tree stand i hope are limited now. I always used a retractable lanyard that i got. It works like a seat belt in that it allows slow even movement but will lock on a hard or jerky pull.

Nice stand,is it about 4x6???

This one is 4x8 my other is 6x8. They are great with 2 hunters but my next will only be 6x6 the 8 ft is a bit long to watch out both ends. The 4 ft is narrow when you get a nice armed office chair in it. 6 ft just seems real comfy.

Have you got air conditioning in there Tom !!! Nice buck by the way. We head to Fort Francis on Saturday..

I just open the windows and let the wind blow. I do have heat tho. Keeps the fingers and toes warm ;) Sitting up here the last two days have been really nice. Didnt see a thing yesterday but the local fox came in for a quick bite of apple. But this morning seen 9 does and fawns no horn. Sitting in a tee shirt just doesn't seem like deer season anyways back to watching the bush activity