Opening day 2015, after 45 years of bow hunting. Went to a loc on with climbing bar with new straps for both. I always replaced straps annually. When I got there it had new straps, a buddy had replaced them. I climbed up, attached my safety belt , then a new strap on the loc on and stepped into the stand. Hunted two hours and reversed the procedure. Half way down the steps separated and I went to the ground with a thud that echoed through the woods I still remember! Lay there a moment and said “Thank you Lord” when I realized I was still alive. Broke my wrist and suffered contusion for several weeks. Moral of the story: don’t trust anyone else’s rigging! Had killed several from m ground blinds and knew they were effective for bow hunting, some shots at 5 steps. I now own 6 blinds but can no longer pull my bows due to RA, tried a crossbow but didn’t like, just not the same, but had several opportunities this year that made me wish I had a crossbow, may try it again, particularly early season. Have a buddy who has hunted a diy saddle system , self drilling for steps. He was putting up a ladder stand alone and it slipped off the tree and he broke his lower leg . It can happen with ANY type stand.

The Earth is Gods footstool