Sad story

[Blazerman]

http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/2017/11/13/hunter-dies-fall-tree-stand-mark-twain-national-forest/859641001/

[Greasy B]

Why aren’t Fall restraint and descent systems mandatory? Is I because we don’t like pesky regulations? 

[Chief Grey Bear]

How in the world would you enforce it?

[Johnsfolly]

21 minutes ago, Greasy B said:

Why aren’t Fall restraint and descent systems mandatory? Is I because we don’t like pesky regulations? 

It is mandatory for the manufacturers of the stand to provide a safety harness with each tree stand and instructions on its use. I agree with Chief that the enforcement of such a regulation in the field would be nearly impossible to manage. The use of tree stands and safety equipment is presented to thousands of hunters every year as part of hunter safety certification classes all over the state and country. The lack of use of a fall restraint is more likely due simply to inconvenience and it cost this woman her life. Also Ned Yost fell from one of his tree stands and was fortunate to not lose his life due to internal bleeding.

[jdmidwest]

I agree, who is going to write the ticket? MDC has a hard enough time doing what they do now. 

Its like a seatbelt in car. It may come with the stand but it is up to person to use it. 

[fishinwrench]

They never say this, but the majority of falls occur as the person is getting in or getting out of the stand.  She may very well have had the harness on while in the stand.   It doesn't say whether her gun was tied to a rope or just laying somewhere.  If it wasn't tied to a rope then we can assume that she violated rule #1 which is "DON'T BE AN IDIOT".

[MOPanfisher]

In the Hunter Ed/Safety Classes I help with, we always stress the importance of FAS and the need to use them properly.  I usually side bar just a bit explaining that gravity works 24/7/365, and is always waiting to pull you down to earth, you have to win EVERY time, gravity only needs to win once.  It's a bad deal but realistically as long as people climb trees some are going to fall.  

[Ketchup]

Sad story. I cant say anything because im one of the idiots. I own 2 quality harnesses, and probably 6 that came with stands, tho i have only worn one, twice in 30 years.  

A few years ago i was using a buddies climber "last minute hunt from work" and got about 18' up and the bottom section fell to the ground as i was turning around to get situated. I had to bear hug that massive oak to get down. atalk about ripping up a guys chest and nuts.  No harness on then either. 

[fishinwrench]

When I was a late teen I worked as a CATV Lineman, and we had the best climbing gear money could buy.... but I worked as a sub-contractor and got paid "piece work", and of course that safety gear slowed me down.   I've burnt more than my fair share of creosote covered pine.  A flannel shirt will cling to a tree or pole and will save your life, but those splinters are a mofo!

I couldn't do it nowadays, I get light-headed just standing on a chair.

[slothman]

Climbing in and out are definitely the most dangerous times. Back when I was in high school I fell out of a climbing stand while getting into it only a few feet off the ground. It was a bit too high to start, but the base of the tree was really wide and I thought I could scramble into a chest high climber with no problem. I fell out and landed on my back on top of my bow. I broke the bow and knocked the wind out of me. I'm lucky I didn't get a broadhead in my back and into a lung. That was an eye opening experience for me as I have always worn a harness when in the stand, just now while climbing up and down. I usually get my stand pretty high (15-23 feet). Having spend some years doing quite a bit of rock climbing in my college days gives me a little more confidence, but I still worry about falling. I use a lineman' belt when hanging my stand, but admittedly, I usually don't when just climbing up or down. It just seems to take a really long time to get up or down and I actually feel more comfortable not using it after my climbing sticks are already hung.