Sometimes I hate it when someone brings back a old post from months & months ago we've all read & replied too. But in this case its an excellent idea as a reminder to all of us before our seasons start!!
I was one of those idiots, that usedto climb, and use stands w/o a safety harness. I fell 1 day being unsafe, when a branch broke I'd used 10x's already to climb into my stand. I was very lucky, and just happened to be hugging the tree alreadly. I fell holding onto the tree, and landed on my butt. But I still felt a jolt up my spine. I was shaken, and scared. I just sat there wondering if I could still walk. I was fine. I was dam lucky. I was also very very stupid. I never climb w/o one now. Nobody should, ever. Life, and hunting is too precious to loose, so why risk it. Seriously why?