Son in law had his X-stand sit and climb top cable break this afternoon. Luckily he was only a few feet off the ground. He hung by his feet backwards and could barely reach the ground but was unable to get back up. He finally got one foot out of the foot strap and was able to get the other loose also. He had on his harness but was trying to get up where his stand was level before attaching to the tree. He weighs 210 and the stand was rated for 300lbs, 2 years old. He said there were 2 small cables wrapped with rubber that had snapped off clean. If you have one of these stands i would be not use it without a harness. Wear those safety harness's from the ground up and down the tree. Could have been bad if he was higher up. Sore ankles and knees.Be safe out there.

Glad to hear he’s ok

Dang it man I have heard of a lot of stand malfunctions this year.

Them x stands look sketchy to me anyhow I'm a fat kid and they scare me

Stand cables should be easy to inspect. The ones "covered" with rubber make it very difficult to see if the structural wires inside are broken.

My buddies lower did the same thing early this year (not sure the mfg of the stand). He was able to lower himself and only drop ~5ft to the ground. His looked fine on the outside, but the metal cable on the inside was rusty.

That's crazy I guess I need to inspect mine a little closer

Replace them every year. Why would you not when your life depends on it?

Your personal safety is your responsibility. And as a responsible adult it is your duty to family members to return home safe.

Glad he is okay.

I have several older API. They have the
Chain cables.has anyone had any problems
Out of them to speak of..
Just checking. I'm 6,1. 225.

One more reason for me to use a pop-up. I don't bounce like I used to.Glad he wasn't hurt. Be safe yall.

Same here. There’s not a deer big enough for me to climb a tree anymore, and I work at extreme heights nearly everyday.

10-4, heck with a tree stand.

I read that last night on FB (Alabama Deer Hunters) from him.

He also reported (I believe) the stand was 2 years old and he was carrying gear with him so his total weight was 240??

In being hung in the position he was, it was quite scary in reading his post!!

So glad he is ok.

God Bless,
David B.

Same here. I love a ground blind.

Was he using a harness?

I love my summits. But I have always wondered what my cables look like under that rubber. Guess replacing them every year would be wise.

Glad to hear he’s fine. Folks, attach yer damn harness to the tree before your feet get off the ground and don’t detach it til your feet are back on the ground.

Dr. B

Harness won't help if you fall with your feet caught in your foot climber. It happened to me a few years ago too. I always cut off any nylon feet straps and replace with a tarp strap which will allow you to lift the platform but still won't break your legs or trap you upside down if you do fall.

Good idea. I use a summit. I just hook my feet under the bars on each side. But still, wearing a harness is added security.

Man that is scary! How in the world does that happen? I'm trying to figure out how you fall backwards with your feet in the straps if you are tethered to the tree with less than 2 feet of slack in the lifeline and moving the strap above your head as you climb up. Glad you're ok as well!

Dr. B

I bought one of those stands a few years ago and sent it right back. It didn’t feel right to me.