Safety harness

[oldprofessor]

I have always used a safety harness when climbing - even in a tree stand.  My harness of choice is an old sit harness typically used in rock climbing or mountaineering.  I have had no reason to use any of the full body harnesses being sold to hunters except that I have three on hand that were included with tree stands I have purchased in recent years.  Last week I decided to try one of the full body "hunting" harnesses.  Although it was a bit confusing to understand how to get into it, I quickly made it work and found that it was easy to adjust and would probably have been quite comfortable.  Then I decided to add a jacket to my ensemble because there was a chill in the morning air.  It was at this time that I learned that these types of harness were not designed for the donning or removing of additional layers of clothing.  One has to remove the shoulder portion of the harness before donning or removing a jacket.  This could be a very dangerous thing to do when high in a tree.  Furthermore, the attachment portion of the harness is at the middle of the back.  This might make sense if the intent is to prevent a hunter, who is leaning out to make a shot, from falling out of his stand.  On the other hand, it would make it extremely difficult to accomplish a self-rescue after a fall if one is left hanging with his back to the tree.

I don't know why I bother posting this comment.  It is my choice to continue to use my climbing sit harness and I should allow other hunters to make their own choice if they wish to use the full body system.  -But, I think there may be a safety issue involved if people are required to remove part of their safety system in order to add or subtract layers of clothing.  I also think there is a problem in having the attachment point at the back of the harness.

Am I wrong in my impression?  Or have I overlooked something?

[birdinwithblue]

well i'm a pipefitter and in pipe racks and other high places we have to have them on OSHA's  rules i have fell with one on . i fell out of a pipe rack . rite in the middle and you can't do any thing to get your self back up . let alone the pain of those two straps between your legs . but on the other hand i did'nt hit the ground 30 feet below . i would think in a stand if you hook it high you can use the tree stand to get back up . and you can spin around and swing . i dont recommend the swingin . remimber the two straps between your legs hurt like hell . but i do think you could get back in a stand if you hook it higher than your head . hell take a buddy with ya and try it  :-D  dont for get the camera  :-D

[Wlscott]

Take a little advice from a Paratrooper.  Leave the leg straps fairly loose.  That way if/when you fall, you can reach down and adjust the straps so that they are on the outside of your stones :wink:

When I was a cherry I tightened the straps as tight as I could while I was on the bird, sitting down.  When you do that, then get up to jump, things "readjust", and the straps end up directly over the "equipment".  When you jump, you can imagine the pain.  The straps are then tight, and you can't do anything about it, but ride 'em down :shock:

As far as the harness goes, I wear mine under my jacket but over my shirt.  It's kind of a pain to have the top strap coming out under my hood, but it's not too bad.  That way I can take off my jacket if I need to, or add a coat also.

Hope this helps.

[safetreehunt]

I've always wondered how the mountaineering harnesses work out, nice bit of advice on them. I use the Hunter Safety System vest and climb on a line with a prussik knot. I had to learn to use this the hard way. Never had any idea I could set something like this up until after I fell and shattered my ankle two years ago.

I like the HSS because I can wear it in or outside of my jacket. It's camo so it doesn't really matter. It's also real easy to put on.