Tree stand safety harnesses

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Wear it every time

The Treestand Manufacturers Association says to wear a full-body fall arrest harness system every time you leave the ground, including while going up and coming down. It says single strap belts and chest harnesses shall not be used. The CPSC warns that a single-strap or waist-type harness can cause strangulation in a fall.

Attach it the maker's way

The TMA says to attach the harness in the manner the manufacturer describes, and that the tether should have no slack when sitting. Some systems use a rope up the tree, known as a lifeline, so you stay attached while climbing. Follow your harness maker's instructions.

Climbing up and down

The TMA says to keep three points of contact on a ladder or steps: two hands and one foot, or one hand and two feet. The CPSC says most falls occur when hunters step onto or from their treestands.

Use a haul line

The TMA says never to climb with anything in your hands or on your back, and to use a haul line to raise and lower your gear.

Have a rescue plan

The TMA warns that prolonged suspension in a harness may be fatal. It says to have a plan for rescue, including a cell phone or signal device you can reach and use while suspended, and a plan for recovery or escape if rescue cannot be called. If you cannot recover or escape, it says to hunt from the ground.

Inspect and replace

The TMA says to inspect your stand and harness before each use, and that a harness must be discarded and replaced after a fall.

Sources: Treestand Manufacturers Association, Treestand Safety Guidelines (PDF); CPSC, Hunting Treestands and Harnesses, Safety Alert 5200 (PDF); IHEA-USA, Hunter Education Standards (PDF).

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