Tree Stand Fall-Arrest System: A Necessity When Hunting

A necessity when hunting from a tree stand is a Fall Arrest System or Full Body Safety Harness.  A Fall Arrest System is used to attach the hunter to the tree to lessen a fall should it occur.  Since accidents can happen when hunting from a tree stand, a Fall Arrest System should always be used when hunting from a climbing, hang on, or ladder tree stand, and when using climbing sticks and steps.  

A hunter should only use a safety harness approved by the Treestand Manufacturer Association (TMA).  The single strap belts or chest harnesses should no longer be used.  A safety harness that encircles the torso, legs, and shoulders lets the hunter hang in an upright position.  In order to keep current with the latest information based on research, each hunter should take a free online safety course.  The course was developed by HunterExam.com, HE Tools™ and TMA and is offered online.
 
Many manufacturers now include a safety harness with the purchase of a tree stand.  A hunter should always check the Fall Arrest System and practice using the harness before hunting.  A Fall Arrest System should be worn not only when in the tree stand but when climbing, descending, and moving in the stand.  The 3 Point Rule should be followed when climbing or descending a tree.  The 3 Point Rule states that the hunter should maintain 3 points of your body in contact with the stand or ladder at all times.

No one expects to have an accident but it is important to be prepared in case an accident does occur.  Each hunter needs to have a plan for escape from the safety harness in the event a fall does occur.  This is crucial because prolonged suspension from a safety harness could be fatal.  A hunter should always carry emergency signal devices (whistle, flashlight, cell phone, signal flare) to call for help if needed.  It is also important to tell another person where you are hunting and when you’ll return.  If a fall does occur, the Fall Arrest System should be discarded and replaced.

There are many advantages to hunting from a tree stand but the proper safety precautions must be implemented in order to avoid becoming one of the statistics.  The use of a Fall Arrest System is not an option but a necessity for your safety when hunting from a tree stand.