Just did some math. I climb approximately 35 times per year. That's 1 trip up, 1 trip down every time. I've been hunting that much since I was 14. So, 70 trips up or down the trunk per year x 14 years = 980 runs in my lifetime.

Out of my estimated 1000 trips up or down the trunk, I've had1 major episode where my safety belt saved my hide. That's a .1 % chance of an accident if you know what you're doing. I consider myself a seasoned, experienced climber.If you climb enough trees, it will happen to you - and the bad ones will come when you least expect it.

Mygut-check incident was around 1998 - was hunting a thicket with very few trees to pick from. Well, I was tied off in ain a mapletree that was a touchtoo smooth and a touchtooskinny. A buck approached from behind, and when I stood and leaned around the tree to get a better look, the whole platform swung out to the right, right out from under me.I dropped my bow approximately 25', but the safety belt snatched me up, or I was a goner. No broken ribs or anything, just a bruised ego. Icrushed my sight bracket and ruined 4 arrows.

I've had a bunch of episodes where the platform or the seat seems to have a good, solid bite, only to have it kick out later. Bumps and bruises, but no major injuries to speak of. If you're not tied off - it's only a matter of time before fate comes knockin'.

Climbing trees is no joke. At 25' - a freefall could easily be fatal or leave you in the Produce Aisle at the local trauma center.

I plan on being able to hunt for another 30 years... So that's at least another 2000 climbs.If the past is any indicator of the future- that tells me that death will come-a-knockin' two more times. Either be ready or be prepared to pay the piper.