how much are those?
They run about $69 bucks on sale. They will be on sale about August or so. They had them at the Big Buck Expo(which we all need to go to this year)
back in 84 a friend of mine used one of my ladder stands and fought me tooth and nail about using a safety belt ( harnesses/vests were not really avail/popular back then) finaly I told him no belt no stand, well he ended up falling asleep and guess what, he woke up suddenly a little bruised around the mid section but ok his gun however ended up with a broken stock, and that was only about 10 feet off the ground. nowadays I don't like to go any higher than I think I would survive the fall, 10-15 feet is fine with me. I use a seat of the pants harness and put it on as soon as I get dressed in the morning instead of fumbling in the woods in the dark. I've even seen some rocket scientists putting it on after they are allready in the treestand, better late then never I guess. these harnesses are also great for dragging game, I cut the legs off at the knee joint & toss them ,then tie the tether to the neck and off I go hands free. get the type with a climbing belt , like a telephone repairman, they are great when setting up tree stands. I use sectional ladderers/stix and strap on stands, then if I want to take a break I can climb up and down as I please, and if I leave for any length of time I can remove only the bottom2 ladder sections so noone else can use the stand.
Thats and eye opening video!
I have never fallen out of a stand. Mostly I use my API climber and have had the lower platform drop away and I had to pull it back up with the rope tied to the upper and lower section.
As for safety, I have an HSS vest that is great but I only use it for ML & Gun seasons. For bowhunting I stay lower and use the rib-buster belt.
Keep safe!
those "rib buster " belts will also strangle you if you are hanging long enough, or unconsious. I always keep a knife handy ( usualy a neck knife ) in case I have to cut myself loose. if you find yourself hanging and can't get back in the stand, hug the tree trunk cut the harness and slide down the tree trunk, you will get scuffed up some but should have no major injuries. most falls happen getting in or out of the stand, so NEVER step off the ground without a harness. a fall with injury will effect more than you so do it for them.
