Climber slipped !

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Knothead

Knothead

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Ironic that just a few days ago I posted about the importance of wearing a safety harness ............

Yesterday morning, my summit Viper foot section slipped to the max while descending. I was in a red oak tree and the bark on those trees is very hard anyway. No fault of the stand. It simply did not get a good "bite" when I lowered it. Operator error. When I stood up to lower the seat portion, it slid down like a raw oyster in an esophagus------- and I hung on for the ride. :o
The umbilical cord stopped it, just at the same time my harness nearly yanked my "boys" to my throat. But, let me tell you something: the feeling of a free fall (even if it is just a split second)will get your attention real quickly and really drives home the point that things can go wrong so fast----and with no warning.

I have been using a climber for years and until yesterday, have never really had any close calls. It's not just the amateurs who need to pay attention and take all the precautions. In fact, I would venture to say that it's probably those amateurs who are the most conscientious of safety, and us old timers usually get slack and careless.

Wear those harnesses !! Thank God I only have "seat belt" bruises in my groin area. It could have been tragic had I not have had my harness on.
 
Knothead, I'm grateful you are okay and I'm glad had your harness on and strapped in. You have only re-affirmed the fact that there are two types of treestand hunters--those that have had a fall and those that will have a fall!
 
Secret Squirrel said:
That is why both sections of my climber are connected to each other. I am glad all you got was some bruises. It could have been much much worse. Loosing you would be like loosing a brother. I am glad you protected yourself.

Take note people. Accidents or unexpected events happen.
Click to expand...
very true
 
Secret Squirrel said:
That is why both sections of my climber are connected to each other.
Click to expand...

Mine were connected. Always are. Thank God they were or I'd still be sittin there. :crazy:
 
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Glad you are ok!

See folks, that is Exactly why you wear a harness every time from ground to hunting height and back down.

I hate hearing and reading about hunters who are injured every year when it could have been avoided.

I consider myself an "expert" treestand user and I have had 2 situations where the harness saved me from a fall. Well actually one since the first fall would have killed or crippled me for life.
 
glad your Ok. I picked out a tree during the summer in a new spot and went to hunt it Monday morning. Just never really looked at the tree other than it had good cover. about 10 feet up I came to realize it was a hickory. stand started to slip and would not catch unless I really paid attention. At 12 feet got that uneasy feeling that this was a stupid idea.So I climbed down very carefully and just went looking for another tree.that little voice in the back of your head is there for a reason
 
WRbowhunter said:
glad your Ok. I picked out a tree during the summer in a new spot and went to hunt it Monday morning. Just never really looked at the tree other than it had good cover. about 10 feet up I came to realize it was a hickory. stand started to slip and would not catch unless I really paid attention. At 12 feet got that uneasy feeling that this was a stupid idea.So I climbed down very carefully and just went looking for another tree.that little voice in the back of your head is there for a reason
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Smart. Hickory trees and Sycamore trees are a disaster waiting to happen!
 
I am so glad you are okay. Thank goodness you wore your harness. I was thinking about using a climber this year but I believe I just decided not to.
 
Bowdacious said:
I am so glad you are okay. Thank goodness you wore your harness. I was thinking about using a climber this year but I believe I just decided not to.
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Go ahead, Bowdacious, and use a climber. It was not the fault of the climber. It was my fault that I simply did not make SURE the foot piece had a good 'bite' in the tree bark before I stood up. As long as you check and double check, AND WEAR YOUR HARNESS, you should be fine in a climber. Dont let my post scare you away from one of the most versatile ways to hunt. Just be careful and pay attention to details. Have fun and be safe.
Good luck!
 
my summit viper slipped on me 2 yrs ago (red oak). I attached my seat to the tree, and when I sat down,my the climber part of my stand fell. I dropped to my platform and was hanging over the side of my climber. I have been a huge advocte for safty harnessess for the past 10 yrs or so, but this day I didn't wear my harness. I was late leaving the house that afternoon and left my harness at home, and like a dumba$$, climbed without it. Luckily my buddy was about 150 yrds from me and saw my crash, and came to help. I was in a real big bind and he talked me through how to get back situated. All I could think about while hanging on for dear life was how my stupidity could have caused my 29 year old wife and unborn child in her belly some pretty bad times. I have never and will never climb again without it.

If you do decide do climb without one, please make sure you have a great life insurance policy in place for the ones you will leave behind.
 
UTGrad said:
I am going to get one of these harnesses very soon...I really like the added safety of being able to lower myself down to the ground in the event I can't get back on the platform.

http://www.mountaineer-sports.com/
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I purchased one 2 years ago and it is a good feeling to do exactly what you said. It is a little heavier than other harnesses but that is a small price to pay in my mind.
 
I had my climber slip on a Red oak a few years ago . I'm glad I had my harness on ! Beware of the platform angle when placing the stand at the base of the tree . If it's too steep , it doesn't get a good bite on some types of trees , especially red oaks .
 
Buk-n-d0eHntn said:
Thanks for posting and glad you're okay. I actually felt pretty uneasy a few days ago while climbing down a yellow poplar tree. It was young and the bark wasn't so great.
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poplars are one of my favorites to climb.
 
Glad you are allright bro! Just goes to show that when you wear your harness, usually your able to write about it the next day,, (once your nads reset back to place)!! :crazy:
 

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