I read on AT I believe where a guy recommended you see what the harness feels like when you're hanging and how to get back in the stand. I've never experienced it before so I tried it today and and it is eye opening. I coudn't imagine how it would feel by actually dropping out at normal speed......I did a gradual rollout and hung there and then worked my way back on. I'll definitely keep my tether as short as possible from now on. Let's just say a gut can "snag" on the cross-belt of the harness!


Years ago before these multi-point harnesses were out, I made my own safety belt out of a strap and D-ring. After feeling the strap on my gut today, I would have died anyway back then if I fell. All the old safety belt was, was a strap around my waist. Probably had more chance livin if I fell.

If you ain't experienced it, it is recommended. I didn't think to, but using the suspension-relief strap would be a good idea too.

I don't plan on hanging, because I use a SpiderWire attachment to lower me safely to earth. Falling and hanging can be just as bad as falling.

To get the real effect you must tuck a nut under the groin strap. It don't matter what you do you will smash one but in a fall.

I knew a guy about 30 years ago that fell with one of those early strap harnesses. It cinched up around his chest, he tried to cut the strap, they found his open knife on the ground, and he died in the tree.

If you are gonna do this experiment, do it with someone around. It could end bad too.

I’ve thought about doing what BowTech is talking about but never had. Always heard it was hard to get turned around and back in stand.
This may be why I like ladder stands so much. I still strap up when I get in one.

100% and they need a ladder too.

I don't like most of the commercial ones so I built my own, had a local shoe shop do the sewing. Fit is excellent, light weight, and strong. I tested it right after I got it back from the shoe shop. I jumped off a climbing stand that was only a few feet off the ground. Worked fine. Tether line needs to be as short as you can stand it and still shoot.

Was this below Troy?

I make my own rescue ropes and tethers.
I keep a Gibbs ascender and extra set of prusik cord on me so if I do fall I can use it as a project capture device and ease myself down.

Another good thing to have is about 6-8 of climbing rope in about 7-8 mm or at least half the size of your life safety line.. then you’ll tie a dog and tail system in it and just slide it up the safety line as you climb up. The prusik knot is good but once it’s stuck into place it’s hard to get it fixed to allow it to slide down the rope.

I really recommend making your own safety ropes.. just purchase Good high quality safety line.
About 30-35 ft of half inch for a mainline safety then get 7mm prusik cord and make your prusik with.
They’re easy to tie.. double fisherman’s knot leave about an inch of tail and keep the tails on the same side..
I can make a video and show how I tie my stuff.

While I do think it’s a good idea to know what you’re dealing with, I wouldn’t recommend doing such with a harness like the HSS. The HSS has a break away feature and once used the harness is no longer as safe as before.

If you have a rock climbing harness it would be a good idea.

Solo is correct.. not only with your harness but you can shock load a rope too..
What’s behind that sheath could be damaged and you’d never know it. If you are still gonna try it then I’d suggest slowly and easily letting your weight onto the safety rope..
I’d stay away from any of it that wasn’t rescue or climbing rated kern mantle rope..

Oh i tested it near the ground. I couldnt imagine the “fun” 20 ft up.

Yep, last name was Turner.

Small world.That was tragic...

I have had a tree stand break from under me and luckily had my safety harness on but it suspended me from out in front of the tree stand and I was about 6ft away from the tree, the tether where it's doubled up all three snapped, I hung for about 10mins, and worse part was I couldn't reach anything. Yes, it's scary as all get out, yes you are going to crush your nuts, but the one thing I never realized is how all your weight settles in your leg straps, and you can't hardly move. At 210-215lbs it took me 10mins to swing myself, off the tree stand so I could get back to the tree and stand on my steps. Once I got back to the tree I could undo my harness enough to free me legs, I had to sit at the tree base for 30mins, one to say my prayers, two to gather my thoughts, and 3 was to get feeling back in my legs. It tore my safety harness to pieces but it saved my life.

Daffy, where the tether is doubled over and sewn I belive is designed to break, but absorb the initial load.

Only by accident. It worked.

That is exactly what they are designed to do and the reason I was never tempted to test mine. I want it to stay just like it was designed. BTW, a little traffic safety tip I learned in traffic Homicide Investigation school. Seat belts are designed to have some play in them at high stress from an accident. Once stressed they become weaker so after an accident where they were used, insurance companies are supposed to pay for the cost to replace them.