I always make sure my stabilizer bar is securely attached to the tree, this keeping the stand from falling backwards while your climbing. I just put mine back out two days ago and didnt quite have it set at the right angle. So when I climbed it the top to the satnd ended comming away from the tree about a foot and a half, now talk about a scary feeling. I climbed back down the ladder and pulled the bottom of the ladder out while the stablizer was attached, climbed back up, wratcheted to the tree and shes good to go. I can usually setup my 15ftladder stand and get it set in the tree with in 5-10 minutes, by myself.