Yes, I have put TOO MUCH trust in the equipment as well. Trusting my entire wieght load to ONE screw in tree spike, at times, 25' up !!
Not just screwin steps..........I trust my Cranford Ezy Climb steps as much or more than any hunting equipment I own. I believe in them that much. But all stands, sticks, etc. are attached by some means, usually a strap. Things can happen. We all need to wear a harness with safety line climbing up, down and in a tree. For the first 10-15 years I hunted from a stand I never even wore a simple safety belt while in a stand.[&:]