RE: How many use tether lines while climbing?
I do now! On 9/22 as I stood on my stand in the act of reaching around the tree to attach my safety belt I fell. I had not set the stand correctly.
I had been using the same stand for the last 5 seasons and never before had it so much as shift when first standing on it. I carry the stand in and out to prevent its theft, something that unfortunately happened to me on more than one occasion. I was lucky that I only ended up with a fractured foot and a severely sprained ankle after falling 18 feet. This past Saturday I got back on the horse. With the addition of a fall guy 20' tether. Even with that there were some very anxious moments when I first stepped on that stand. I have never been one who thought that it couldn't happen to me. I have always taken my time and tried to be as safe as possible, but being human I made an error. After setting the same stand ,which is inspected and maintained and is as good as the day it left the factory, hundreds of times it happened. Out of all of this I have promised myself and my family two things. 1. I will never climb without being attached to the tree in some manner. 2. I will never step onto a stand with only one strap, or chain holding to the tree.
Be safe out there and good hunting.