Falling with a harness on?

[Greenhead]

After reading the hunting accident thread. Who has fallen with a harness on? What's it like? Describe your experience.
How were your nads when the harness sinched up?

 

[fredfred]

I've forgotten to unhook mine from the tree after climbing down and stepped off the stand before. It was a monster wedgie! I couldn't get back in that stand quick enough. That was with a HSS

 

[TNDeerGuy]

Never fallen from a stand with a harness on, but I've fallen so many times while rock climbing that I quit counting years ago. Falls are not that bad, but I use a climbing harness in both rock climbing and hunting, which makes a huge difference. Keep in mind that treestand falls are static falls, which are more severe, but honestly there is not line out in a treestand to get the full effect of a static fall�most of the time you only fall 1-2 feet.

 

[Brisco Darlin]

Never fallen from a stand with a harness on, but I've fallen so many times while rock climbing that I quit counting years ago. Falls are not that bad, but I use a climbing harness in both rock climbing and hunting, which makes a huge difference. Keep in mind that treestand falls are static falls, which are more severe, but honestly there is not line out in a treestand to get the full effect of a static fall�most of the time you only fall 1-2 feet.

been there done that also. a lead climb fall can be quite a wild ride. :grin:

 

[Greenhead]

I wear a climbing harness too. I can only imagine it sucks to fall and hang there after your stand breaks and is no longer there. Or too high to reach.

 

[knightrider]

it is violent if you dont have the tree belt high enough, had to throw away pants and underwear because they were ripped off at the butt area talk about wedgie and dont even mention the nadds!!!

 

[in the dog house]

Never fallen from a stand with a harness on, but I've fallen so many times while rock climbing that I quit counting years ago. Falls are not that bad, but I use a climbing harness in both rock climbing and hunting, which makes a huge difference. Keep in mind that treestand falls are static falls, which are more severe, but honestly there is not line out in a treestand to get the full effect of a static fall�most of the time you only fall 1-2 feet.

been there done that also. a lead climb fall can be quite a wild ride. :grin:

Taken a few of those rides, and there no fun I never worried about ripping pants doing this, but changing shorts..... for sure :grin:

 

[treefarmer]

We each need to know how we are going to get down if we are left hanging by a rope. I keep a pocket knife and cell phone in my shirt pocket so I can hug the tree, cut the rope and slide down if needed. If you are hanging the harness prevents you from reaching into your pants pocket.

 

[TNDeerGuy]

I strongly suggest everyone start carrying a couple of foldup screw-in steps in your pant pockets to aid in recovery or decent in the event of a fall.

http://ezyclimb.shptron.com/c/tree-step ... 7058.0.0.0

 

[Brisco Darlin]

may sound like overkill but i attach a rope above my seat. i connect to the rope with a figure 8 and locking carabiner.

 

[huntinkev]

We each need to know how we are going to get down if we are left hanging by a rope. I keep a pocket knife and cell phone in my shirt pocket so I can hug the tree, cut the rope and slide down if needed. If you are hanging the harness prevents you from reaching into your pants pocket.

^^^This...I'm safety director with bridge company, a lot of fall risks. This is something you need to plan out in advance. If you are hanging from your harness you can't reach up behind and above you to cut the strap and you sure can't pull yourself up. The blood flow loss will cause unconsciousness if your not careful and hang to long. We have to have a rescue plan in place to get someone down as quick as possible. Absolutely no longer than 15 minutes.

I know your not going to fall as much as if you were on a jobsite, our falls would be 6' with 3' shock absorber so 9' fall. I don't guess your lanyards would be that long in a tree stand. so the initial jolt of the fall wouldn't be as strong but you don't need to hang there to long, also what about pendulum swing back into tree?

I don't wear a harness in a tree for the reasons I stated above. If hunting alone how would you rescue yourself?

Like the above posted, have a plan in place ahead of time.

 

[TNDeerGuy]

We each need to know how we are going to get down if we are left hanging by a rope. I keep a pocket knife and cell phone in my shirt pocket so I can hug the tree, cut the rope and slide down if needed. If you are hanging the harness prevents you from reaching into your pants pocket.

^^^This...I'm safety director with bridge company, a lot of fall risks. This is something you need to plan out in advance. If you are hanging from your harness you can't reach up behind and above you to cut the strap and you sure can't pull yourself up. The blood flow loss will cause unconsciousness if your not careful and hang to long. We have to have a rescue plan in place to get someone down as quick as possible. Absolutely no longer than 15 minutes.

I know your not going to fall as much as if you were on a jobsite, our falls would be 6' with 3' shock absorber so 9' fall. I don't guess your lanyards would be that long in a tree stand. so the initial jolt of the fall wouldn't be as strong but you don't need to hang there to long, also what about pendulum swing back into tree?

[color:#FF0000]I don't wear a harness in a tree for the reasons I stated above. If hunting alone how would you rescue yourself?
[/color]
Like the above posted, have a plan in place ahead of time.

Why don't you consider using a climbing harness instead�that way you eliminate practically everything listed above and can still remain safe. Self-rescue is fairly easy, especially with a couple of screw-in steps in your pocket, and suspension trauma is all but eliminated.

 

[huntinkev]

We each need to know how we are going to get down if we are left hanging by a rope. I keep a pocket knife and cell phone in my shirt pocket so I can hug the tree, cut the rope and slide down if needed. If you are hanging the harness prevents you from reaching into your pants pocket.

^^^This...I'm safety director with bridge company, a lot of fall risks. This is something you need to plan out in advance. If you are hanging from your harness you can't reach up behind and above you to cut the strap and you sure can't pull yourself up. The blood flow loss will cause unconsciousness if your not careful and hang to long. We have to have a rescue plan in place to get someone down as quick as possible. Absolutely no longer than 15 minutes.

I know your not going to fall as much as if you were on a jobsite, our falls would be 6' with 3' shock absorber so 9' fall. I don't guess your lanyards would be that long in a tree stand. so the initial jolt of the fall wouldn't be as strong but you don't need to hang there to long, also what about pendulum swing back into tree?

[color:#FF0000]I don't wear a harness in a tree for the reasons I stated above. If hunting alone how would you rescue yourself?
[/color]
Like the above posted, have a plan in place ahead of time.

Why don't you consider using a climbing harness instead�that way you eliminate practically everything listed above and can still remain safe. Self-rescue is fairly easy, especially with a couple of screw-in steps in your pocket, and suspension trauma is all but eliminated.

That would work, that is a good idea to keep in your pocket....I almost always hunt on ground during muzzleloader and rifle anyway, about the only time I hunt in a stand is during bow. I will wear my harness in my climbing stand but I haven't had it out in a long time.

 

[treefarmer]

I am going to buy some screw in steps to keep with me. After reading the above, I realize the rope I want to cut is behind me and not easily reached when hanging. Good discussion.

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

I hope a safety Director is not saying do not wear a harness ?? Surely hanging around for a bit is better than a broken neck or back .Most 1/2 way decent Harness's come with a descent system.The cheapest one's are just a strap to wrap around the tree. You put your foot in it to take your weight off the harness and ease yourself to the ground.I tried mine for practice several times in the backyard they work pretty good for something so simple. If you do not have one I would strongly suggest shopping around for one.
https://www.google.com/search?q=safety+ ... =firefox-a

 

[CAW]

Here is another option...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJeCIysSqDA

I fell 17' years ago and was VERY lucky to walk away. Any precautionary step you take in tree stand safety IS NOT overkill.

 

[TNDeerGuy]

I am going to buy some screw in steps to keep with me. After reading the above, I realize the rope I want to cut is behind me and not easily reached when hanging. Good discussion.

Just FYI, the folding steps work better in the pocket than the normal screw steps that have the exposed screw�a scar beside my knee is proof of that!

 

[knightrider]

to a search on suspension trauma!!! not good

 

[Meateater]

That's why I use the Rescue One CDS harness; it seems to be the simplest and safest way to get out of that situation. At my age I just need to get to the ground without gambling on a lot of acrobatics.

 

[Mike Belt]

It' wise to make sure your harness is attached to the tree higher than your stand but without much slack dropping you below your stand should you fall.

 

[Jcalder]

We each need to know how we are going to get down if we are left hanging by a rope. I keep a pocket knife and cell phone in my shirt pocket so I can hug the tree, cut the rope and slide down if needed. If you are hanging the harness prevents you from reaching into your pants pocket.

^^^This...I'm safety director with bridge company, a lot of fall risks. This is something you need to plan out in advance. If you are hanging from your harness you can't reach up behind and above you to cut the strap and you sure can't pull yourself up. The blood flow loss will cause unconsciousness if your not careful and hang to long. We have to have a rescue plan in place to get someone down as quick as possible. Absolutely no longer than 15 minutes.

I know your not going to fall as much as if you were on a jobsite, our falls would be 6' with 3' shock absorber so 9' fall. I don't guess your lanyards would be that long in a tree stand. so the initial jolt of the fall wouldn't be as strong but you don't need to hang there to long, also what about pendulum swing back into tree?

[color:#FF0000]I don't wear a harness in a tree for the reasons I stated above. If hunting alone how would you rescue yourself?
[/color]
Like the above posted, have a plan in place ahead of time.

Why don't you consider using a climbing harness instead�that way you eliminate practically everything listed above and can still remain safe. Self-rescue is fairly easy, especially with a couple of screw-in steps in your pocket, and suspension trauma is all but eliminated.

I know you endorse the climbing harness an awful lot. And I'm not against using one. I've used one a few times and understand how they work in a climbing sense. But with a climbing harness the hookups are in front of you. You have to have more slack in your tree rope so you can sit. My question is if you fall what keeps you from breaking your back when all your slack runs out. And if you are facing away from the tree when you fall that could create a lot more problems.

 

[Engine2c]

It' wise to make sure your harness is attached to the tree higher than your stand but without much slack dropping you below your stand should you fall.

I agree. I set mine as high as I can and leave just enough slack to sit down should I fall. That way I don't go far below my stand.

 

[TNDeerGuy]

We each need to know how we are going to get down if we are left hanging by a rope. I keep a pocket knife and cell phone in my shirt pocket so I can hug the tree, cut the rope and slide down if needed. If you are hanging the harness prevents you from reaching into your pants pocket.

^^^This...I'm safety director with bridge company, a lot of fall risks. This is something you need to plan out in advance. If you are hanging from your harness you can't reach up behind and above you to cut the strap and you sure can't pull yourself up. The blood flow loss will cause unconsciousness if your not careful and hang to long. We have to have a rescue plan in place to get someone down as quick as possible. Absolutely no longer than 15 minutes.

I know your not going to fall as much as if you were on a jobsite, our falls would be 6' with 3' shock absorber so 9' fall. I don't guess your lanyards would be that long in a tree stand. so the initial jolt of the fall wouldn't be as strong but you don't need to hang there to long, also what about pendulum swing back into tree?

[color:#FF0000]I don't wear a harness in a tree for the reasons I stated above. If hunting alone how would you rescue yourself?
[/color]
Like the above posted, have a plan in place ahead of time.

Why don't you consider using a climbing harness instead�that way you eliminate practically everything listed above and can still remain safe. Self-rescue is fairly easy, especially with a couple of screw-in steps in your pocket, and suspension trauma is all but eliminated.

I know you endorse the climbing harness an awful lot. And I'm not against using one. I've used one a few times and understand how they work in a climbing sense. But with a climbing harness the hookups are in front of you. You have to have more slack in your tree rope so you can sit. My question is if you fall what keeps you from breaking your back when all your slack runs out. And if you are facing away from the tree when you fall that could create a lot more problems.

There is not that much slack in my rope/strap�from the attachment point at the tree there is only about 2 1/2ft of length and there is just not enough energy built up during the fall to do anywhere near the type of damage you are describing due to the minimal amount travel. It's kind of hard of hard to explain how you would fall, but imagine unrolling a roll of toilet paper. Unlike a HSS style, that attaches behind you and above you, there is less of a chance of the attachment point getting around your neck, or trapping your arm during a fall.

 

[Jcalder]

We each need to know how we are going to get down if we are left hanging by a rope. I keep a pocket knife and cell phone in my shirt pocket so I can hug the tree, cut the rope and slide down if needed. If you are hanging the harness prevents you from reaching into your pants pocket.

^^^This...I'm safety director with bridge company, a lot of fall risks. This is something you need to plan out in advance. If you are hanging from your harness you can't reach up behind and above you to cut the strap and you sure can't pull yourself up. The blood flow loss will cause unconsciousness if your not careful and hang to long. We have to have a rescue plan in place to get someone down as quick as possible. Absolutely no longer than 15 minutes.

I know your not going to fall as much as if you were on a jobsite, our falls would be 6' with 3' shock absorber so 9' fall. I don't guess your lanyards would be that long in a tree stand. so the initial jolt of the fall wouldn't be as strong but you don't need to hang there to long, also what about pendulum swing back into tree?

[color:#FF0000]I don't wear a harness in a tree for the reasons I stated above. If hunting alone how would you rescue yourself?
[/color]
Like the above posted, have a plan in place ahead of time.

Why don't you consider using a climbing harness instead�that way you eliminate practically everything listed above and can still remain safe. Self-rescue is fairly easy, especially with a couple of screw-in steps in your pocket, and suspension trauma is all but eliminated.

I know you endorse the climbing harness an awful lot. And I'm not against using one. I've used one a few times and understand how they work in a climbing sense. But with a climbing harness the hookups are in front of you. You have to have more slack in your tree rope so you can sit. My question is if you fall what keeps you from breaking your back when all your slack runs out. And if you are facing away from the tree when you fall that could create a lot more problems.

There is not that much slack in my rope/strap�from the attachment point at the tree there is only about 2 1/2ft of length and there is just not enough energy built up during the fall to do anywhere near the type of damage you are describing due to the minimal amount travel. It's kind of hard of hard to explain how you would fall, but imagine unrolling a roll of toilet paper. Unlike a HSS style, that attaches behind you and above you, there is less of a chance of the attachment point getting around your neck, or trapping your arm during a fall.

2 1/2 feet in a twisting motion could hurt you in a bad way. Just falling 2 1/2 feet straight down without a shock absorber could break your back. I'm not saying it's not a great idea. But throwing in a twisting motion as you fall out could do more damage than the traditional harness. After a fall. I agree that is the harness I would prefer to be in. Also. More people fall either slipping or becoming unbalanced. I don't know that being tied off at the waist is the best idea in this situation.

We each need to know how we are going to get down if we are left hanging by a rope. I keep a pocket knife and cell phone in my shirt pocket so I can hug the tree, cut the rope and slide down if needed. If you are hanging the harness prevents you from reaching into your pants pocket.

^^^This...I'm safety director with bridge company, a lot of fall risks. This is something you need to plan out in advance. If you are hanging from your harness you can't reach up behind and above you to cut the strap and you sure can't pull yourself up. The blood flow loss will cause unconsciousness if your not careful and hang to long. We have to have a rescue plan in place to get someone down as quick as possible. Absolutely no longer than 15 minutes.

I know your not going to fall as much as if you were on a jobsite, our falls would be 6' with 3' shock absorber so 9' fall. I don't guess your lanyards would be that long in a tree stand. so the initial jolt of the fall wouldn't be as strong but you don't need to hang there to long, also what about pendulum swing back into tree?

[color:#FF0000]I don't wear a harness in a tree for the reasons I stated above. If hunting alone how would you rescue yourself?
[/color]
Like the above posted, have a plan in place ahead of time.

Why don't you consider using a climbing harness instead�that way you eliminate practically everything listed above and can still remain safe. Self-rescue is fairly easy, especially with a couple of screw-in steps in your pocket, and suspension trauma is all but eliminated.

I know you endorse the climbing harness an awful lot. And I'm not against using one. I've used one a few times and understand how they work in a climbing sense. But with a climbing harness the hookups are in front of you. You have to have more slack in your tree rope so you can sit. My question is if you fall what keeps you from breaking your back when all your slack runs out. And if you are facing away from the tree when you fall that could create a lot more problems.

You could still easily tie in from the back. In fact, many rock climbing harnesses, including the one or 2 most recommended for hunting, have a rear tie in points. There should be no more slack in the system then you need to turn left to right, stand up/sit down, lean over. With respect to that, a treestand fall should be very short. If you are concerned about the static degree of the fall, simply add a screamer to the system to absorb some of the shock.

Tying in on the back with this style is the last thing I would wanna do. Wouldn't be much different than the very first harnesses y'all used before my time. Tied off from the back with a taut line I don't see how you would turn yourself around dangling in the tree.

 

[huntinkev]

We each need to know how we are going to get down if we are left hanging by a rope. I keep a pocket knife and cell phone in my shirt pocket so I can hug the tree, cut the rope and slide down if needed. If you are hanging the harness prevents you from reaching into your pants pocket.

^^^This...I'm safety director with bridge company, a lot of fall risks. This is something you need to plan out in afornce. If you are hanging from your harness you can't reach up behind and above you to cut the strap and you sure can't pull yourself up. The blood flow loss will cause unconsciousness if your not careful and hang to long. We have to have a rescue plan in place to get someone down as quick as possible. Absolutely no longer than 15 minutes.

I know your not going to fall as much as if you were on a jobsite, our falls would be 6' with 3' shock absorber so 9' fall. I don't guess your lanyards would be that long in a tree stand. so the initial jolt of the fall wouldn't be as strong but you don't need to hang there to long, also what about pendulum swing back into tree?

[color:#FF0000]I don't wear a harness in a tree for the reasons I stated above. If hunting alone how would you rescue yourself?
[/color]
Like the above posted, have a plan in place ahead of time.

Why don't you consider using a climbing harness instead�that way you eliminate practically everything listed above and can still remain safe. Self-rescue is fairly easy, especially with a couple of screw-in steps in your pocket, and suspension trauma is all but eliminated.

I know you endorse the climbing harness an awful lot. And I'm not against using one. I've used one a few times and understand how they work in a climbing sense. But with a climbing harness the hookups are in front of you. You have to have more slack in your tree rope so you can sit. My question is if you fall what keeps you from breaking your back when all your slack runs out. And if you are facing away from the tree when you fall that could create a lot more problems.

I'm not famalier with climbing harness but I can tell you tying off in front is a big no no. Like you mentioned you could cause back problem etc. You need to be connected in high up in your back between shoulder blades. If connected in front think about how you will be caught....flat facing up your body doesn't take shock very good in that direction you are going to fall back instead of slump forward.

The steps in pocket though that is good idea anything to do self rescue or ability to call help hunting with you and he has ability to get you down quickly. Like I said before you don't want to hang there to long. The average man will go unconscious in 12-15 minutes after fall from suspension trauma. I've never experienced it but have heard of stories rescue taking to long and die while hanging or getting them down and laying guy down flat on ground to soon after hanging for to long and killing them from bad blood in legs going to brain.

 

[huntinkev]

I hope a safety Director is not saying do not wear a har ?? Surely hanging around for a bit is better than a broken neck or back .Most 1/2 way decent Harness's come with a descent system.The cheapest one's are just a strap to wrap around the tree. You put your foot in it to take your weight off the harness and ease yourself to the ground.I tried mine for practice several times in the backyard they work pretty good for something so simple. If you do not have one I would strongly suggest shopping around for one.
https://www.google.com/search?q=safety+ ... =firefox-a

I'm not advocating not wearing safety harness but have a plan in place that will get you down.

I can tell you from being at several safety meetings and dealing with OSHA. When we have talked hunting at these things with other safety directors & OSHA people have said they don't wear them when hunting alone because of rescue factor.

Wear your harness but know how your getting down before hand have fool proof plan that's what I'm saying

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

Full body harness with a Descent system is safe and simple. Practice with the descent system of choice before you need it to be prepared.Live Wire is a decent system at a reasonable price.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... 88671&mt=b

 

[TNDeerGuy]

I would never tie in the back using a climbing harness in a hunting situation�self-rescue would be almost impossible. Tying in the back while repelling though.....a ton of fun!

Ya'll are way over-thinking the being tied in into the front. If you go by what ya'll are saying there would be so many climbers in wheel chairs and with neck and back problems and they would be switching to the vest style harnesses and that just isn't the case. Mountaineering has falls that are as bad as anything a hunter would face, and in certain cases many times worse. The twisting motion mentioned is not near as dramatic as ya'll are making it, your natural tendency will partially straighten you out and the fall just isn't far enough to generate the type of force that will do the damage you are talking about, especially if the rope/strap is connected with the proper amount of slack as Mike Belt and Engine2c previously described. I understand what you guys are saying, but until you have experience with mountaineering style harnesses, you cannot understand the mechanics of falling with one. I will bet my well-being and life, and anyone else that I love, on their use and benefits versus a vest style.

 

[TN Larry]

I bought a livewire descent system this year.

 

[Nimrod777]

It' wise to make sure your harness is attached to the tree higher than your stand but without much slack dropping you below your stand should you fall.

THIS!

If you are falling very far at all, you are NOT correctly secured to the tree. You should be attached to the tree low enough to be able to sit down on your stand, but not any more slack than that. A fall should leave you in position to grasp your stand and get yourself back into position.