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

Many years ago,a work colleague fell and dangled in his harness for almost five hours before he was found. He lost one leg from the get-go and seven years later,lost the other from the knee down because of bad circulation from the damage the accident caused. Just this past summer,he passed from a coronary embolism caused by a blood clot after dealing with severe Phlebitis since his last surgery. Since he had the accident,I've made it a point to stay solidly on the ground.

"Many years ago,a work colleague fell and dangled in his harness for almost five hours before he was found. He lost one leg from the get-go and seven years later,lost the other from the knee down because of bad circulation from the damage the accident caused."

It's called 'suspension trauma'. Construction workers have died hanging in their harness, when not rescued in time. You could literally die feet from the ground, if you have no way to quickly free yourself. Something to plan for.

Don.

I am new to tree hunting. but I am trained in construction fall arrest for work.

another issue that can arise if you fall is what's called de-gloving, when your leg straps are too loose in a fall situation they move up over your testicles and remove the skin from them. they showed us pictures which have stuck in my brain more than any other element of any of my safety training.

don't forget to make sure your leg straps are tight enough!!

I had my first fall after many years in/out of a treesstands on Monday. On all of my climbers and store bought stands I secure with a rope and harness, but for some stupid reason when it comes to one wood platform and ladder stand i have I don't ... no reason for it ... just stupidity on my part in thinking the nice cedar wood ladder is somehow not worthy of falling from. Mon morning second rung from the top gave way and I landed squarely at the base of the tree. I am lucky, I got the wind knocked out of me, a bruised elbow and ribs and a sore tail bone. I should know better and feel pretty stupid for having it happen, but if your not using a restraint device ... stay on the ground. I for one have learned my lesson the hard way and will always tie off no matter how secure or low to the ground the stand is!

I always use a harness and I tie in once on the stand. I haven't used a climbing technique to keep me safe while I climb. you're post Doug has me reconsidering. I'll check out the websites.
Dan O.

Good advice

The furthest I'd fall, is off my turkey seat !!!!

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

The furthest I'd fall, is off my turkey seat !!!!

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I don't hunt turkey's, but by god I've fallen off a chair a few times at camp? :o

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Originally Posted by zoli 16ga.

"Many years ago,a work colleague fell and dangled in his harness for almost five hours before he was found. He lost one leg from the get-go and seven years later,lost the other from the knee down because of bad circulation from the damage the accident caused."

It's called 'suspension trauma'. Construction workers have died hanging in their harness, when not rescued in time. You could literally die feet from the ground, if you have no way to quickly free yourself. Something to plan for.

Don.

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Found out a couple of years ago at a training for work, they make straps with loops that attach to your harness that when released they hang down below your knees and you can pick up your weight till help arrives.

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Originally Posted by DanO

I always use a harness and I tie in once on the stand. I haven't used a climbing technique to keep me safe while I climb. you're post Doug has me reconsidering. I'll check out the websites.
Dan O.

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Dan, (and others) consider this, the lifeline is the cost of a case of beer, what cost do you put on your life as it is today? As Mike stated, every fall people have life changing accidents while hunting, local guy paralyzed.

As for the other comments, yes I should probably change the line/rope on which I fell, I have a spare in the garage. The leg/foot strap would be on the harness/vest, I do not have them; but should look into a vest that does, in the meantime there is a knife on my left shoulder strap... better a prepared controlled fall then one out of control. Unless our ladder comes completely away from the tree, i will always have something to grab and pull myself up with.

The leg straps are an add on that get put on by a loop thru the main belt of the harness. When a fall happens the user simply pulls these straps and steps into a loop that allows you to take the weight of your lower waist allowing blood flow. Any industrial supply or i would say rental supply places will have them. Again price should not dictate owning them, but i dont believe they are very expensive to add to your safty harness

I lost a colleague several years ago from falling out of a tree stand. He hiked into the area, cut away brush around the tree base with a 5' bush hook, stuck the bush hook into the ground(horizontally) and climbed.

He never returned home that evening and a search began. He was found(by his brother) the next day deceased, under the tree where he had fallen across the bush hook.

Wear a harness and tie off.