The biggest thing if you can have someone show how to climb and the things to do and not to do. It really isn't that hard but need to work with your climbers would be important. Climbing poles is a very safe thing if you know how and would be for trees as well. I would try to find a good set of climbers and like one post said those cheep setscould give you problems. You should have a set that supports all the way to the knee. Again it is a safeprocedure but practice and have someone help you at first.