I have often wondered the same thing. I do know that my safety vest and prusic knot line will get me a lot closer to the ground if I just slide the knot down I figure I could then maybe chimmey or unsnap and slide down the vest to get closer to the ground. I usually hunt 20 to 22 feet though, so I'm still probably 8 to 10 feet up. I figure I wouldn't kill myself in a controlled drop straight down with a little PLF thrown in. BUT, at 62 that's still not a comfortable thing. The other day I bought one of those rope deals that you can attach to to climb up to your hang on and climb down while being hooked up. It's like a $40 rope, but I thought I'd try and see what gives. It may be one of those deals where I shorten it some so as not to carry a ton of weight and I could use it even with my climber, just push it up as I go. Stay hooked to it and if anything happens just slowly sneak down with the prusic knot until I'm down. It's 30 feet. I figure if I shorten it(which I won't until I experiment) to say 15 feet, with my vest line I'm at the ground. Sounds better than hanging there hoping my cell phone works and I don't or haven't dropped it. Whatcha think???? I also got looking at this thing. I think I can make one for a lot less thantheysell them for.