Treestand safety
Additional safety for tree-stands
Tether (Safety) Strap for Tree The second component to the Fall Arrest System (FAS) is the tether strap that attaches to the tree. This is the anchor point for the safety harness. When the hunter is standing on the platform this safety strap should be attached to the tree at eye level or above. There should be NO slack in the tether when sitting. Having no slack in the tether will prevent the hunter from falling more than a few inches. It is much better to fall a few inches than several feet. A third component of the FAS/FBH is the Suspension Relief Device. Always have your suspension relief aid handy and ready to use if you do fall. Remember to always follow the manufacturer's instructions and practice using your FAS/FBH at ground level with a responsible adult before using it aloft. Additionally, there are several optional, commercially available self-recovery or self-extraction devices. These optional devices enable the user to be safely lowered to the ground automatically, or under the control of the user. One of the devices can be considered for use as an additional safety precaution against prolonged suspension trauma.
A fixed or hang-on tree stand
fixed or hang-on type stand can be attached to a tree at any height. It consists of a seat and a platform, along with straps and/or chains to attach the stand. A hunter's movement in this stand is very limited, and it requires a ladder or steps for access. Make sure the attaching straps or chains are tight and secure or the stand could slip when weight is applied to the platform. Safety Tips for Fixed / Hang-on Stands: ALWAYS use a climbing / lineman's belt when installing or removing a fixed position stand and also while ascending or descending the tree. NEVER support your weight with a tree limb. Tree limbs can break causing you to fall. Always test the stand to be sure it is secure before climbing into it Never use wood steps attached to the tree with nails or spikes. Avoid using screw-in steps, as they can be more dangerous than other climbing aides. They are also illegal in some states. Know the law!
Fall Arrest System / Full body harness
*Vest-Type Harness* This is the safest, most reliable harness a hunter can use. It is very easy for any hunter to use - simply slip it on, adjust the straps and fasten the clips. Unlike the simple belt or chest harness, it is strapped around the shoulders, waist and legs so that in the event of a fall from a treestand, pressure is distributed across a larger area of the hunter's body, helping to ensure a quick recovery with less chance of injury. *Parachute or Full-Body Harness* This harness is just as safe and offers the same type of protection as the Vest-harness when used properly, however there are many straps and buckles involved. Always check and re-check your harness to ensure that it is properly secured, before you start climbing up into the treestand. Remember! If you fall, practice your 3 R's - Rescue, Relief, Recover *Single Strap Harness* Single strap harnesses should not be considered as a safe harness. These kind of harnesses cause severe restriction in the chest area, making it difficult to breathe or move. *Chest Harness* Chest harnesses are no longer the preferred harnesses either. These harnesses cause severe restriction in the chest area, making it difficult to breathe or move.
disadvantages of treestands
A hunter has no protection from the wind unless the treestand has a skirt around its platform. Some treestands are quite heavy to carry into or out of the woods. In rainy or snowy weather, a hunter might lose his or her footing when climbing up to or getting out of the treestand. It is difficult to change positions or move around in some treestands Setting up and taking down a treestand can be very noisy A hunter might fall asleep in the treestand, and this could result in an incident. Many hunting incidents occur when a hunter is getting into or out of a treestand.
advantages of treestand
Gives a hunter a longer range of visibility, which allows more time to prepare for a safe shot. A hunter's scent remains in the canopy of the trees, instead of on the ground where it can give away a position to nearby animals. Game animals can detect even slight movements. In a treestand, the hunter can move without being easily detected. Blaze orange can be seen at greater distances in a treestand than on the ground, where the hunter's color(s) might be blocked by brush and debris. Shots taken by a hunter from a treestand are at a downward angle, so the bullet or arrow will go into the ground. This is especially important when hunting near homes and farm buildings
if you fall
If you fall from a treestand and you are properly using a FAS/FBH, remember your 3 R's - Rescue, Relief and Recover. Optimally, you should hunt with a buddy so they can help you in an emergency situation. If you are hunting alone and need to be rescued, someone will need to know where you are and how to find you. Before you go into the woods, you should always let others know your exact hunting location, where your treestand is located, when you plan to return, and who is with you. If you cannot recover from the fall yourself, the second option is to be rescued. You should always carry an emergency signal device on your person at all times in case of emergency. Emergency Signal Devices can be any of the following: Two-Way Radio Cell Phone Personal Locator Device Whistle Optimally, you should hunt with a buddy so they can help you in an emergency situation. If you are hunting alone and need to be rescued, someone will need to know where you are and how to find you. Before you go into the woods, you should always let others know your exact hunting location, where your treestand is located, when you plan to return, and who is with you. If you have to hang suspended in an FAS/FBH for an extended period of time before help arrives, seek suspension relief immediately by exercising your legs by pushing against the tree or doing any other form of continuous motion. This will help with suspension trauma, blood pooling in the legs. Failure to recover in a timely manner could result in serious injury or death. If you do not have the ability to recover or escape hunt from the ground. There are several optional, commercially available, self recovery or self extraction devices. These optional devices enable the user to be safely lowered to the ground automatically or under the control of the user. One of these devices can be considered for use as an additional safety precaution against prolonged suspension trauma. Remember! If you fall, don't panic. Stay calm and think out the situation. Remember to practice your 3 R's - Rescue, Relief and Recover.
Self-climbing stand
The self-climbing stand is highly portable and is available in many styles. It can be carried like a backpack into the woods on the day of the hunt and used in different locations, depending on the hunting conditions. To install it in a tree, a hunter uses a push-down, pull-up method. It requires practice to become proficient with how this stand operates, so it's wise to practice at ground level before hunting season begins. A safety strap is required when climbing with this stand, so select a tree that does not have loose or peeling bark. The hunter stands on the bottom platform and pulls the seat section up to waist level. He or she then sits on the seat and raises the bottom platform up to the bottom of the seat section. The hunter then stands on the bottom platform and pulls the seat section up to waist level. This action is repeated until the hunter reaches the desired height. Safety Tips for Self-Climbing Stands: Attach your FAS/FBH to the tree before leaving the ground. Attach the seating and standing platforms in a slightly upward direction to compensate for the narrowing of the tree trunk as you go up. Connect both the seating and standing platforms together to prevent the platforms from separating, leaving you stranded. As you ascend or descend, move the tree belt anchorage with you. Never hurry. Take short, distinct bites.
Tower stand
This is a freestanding stand, featuring either three or four legs, depending on the manufacturer. A ladder is included with this stand to access the top platform, where the seat is attached. The tower stand is best suited for the edge of a field or in open country. It requires a strong, level, firm base and needs to be secured to the ground. ALWAYS lean forward and maintain three points of contact while climbing the ladder. Example: Two hands, one foot.
latter stand
This stand is safer to enter and exit thanks to the ladder, but it may require three people to install and secure it properly to a tree. Ranging between 12 and 16 feet in height, it is ideal when hunting on well-established game trails. Some ladder stands have a small seat and platform for one hunter. Others feature a larger seat and platform for two hunters. A skirt can also be purchased, which will conceal the hunter's movements. Some ladder stands feature a bar that can be used as a gun rest. Safety Tips for Ladder Stands: Ladder stands should include criss-cross straps, standoff brackets or other means of securing the ladder to the tree before climbing to the platform. Ladder sections must be securely held together with retainer pins, clips, or some other device to prevent the ladder sections from coming apart unexpectedly. Ladder stands can require up to 3 persons to install or remove correctly. Don't risk your safety or the safety of others by attempting to install or remove it yourself. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. ALWAYS lean forward and maintain three points of contact while climbing the ladder. Example: Two hands, one foot. As you approach the top of the ladder, attach the FAS/FBH tether to the tree as soon as possible.
