I have 3 built by this guy: James Jacques [[email protected]]

they are a good price with top flight material.

Here's how they work:

- Safety rope is attached above the stand and runs along the tree, then ties off at the bottom of the tree. He has descriptions of how to get it up there in the first place, but I just hang it up there while hanging the stand, so yes, I am not 100% attached while hanging the stand, but I do have a strap and lineman's belt at all times.

- On the safety rope is the prussic knot. This has about a 6 inch loop that you hook your carabineer into

- Hook your harness via the carabeneer to the prussic knot while standing on the ground.

- As you climb, you simply slide the prussic knot up the rope as you go.

- When you get to the top you can stay attached to this, but I disconnect from the prussic AFTER I've attached myself to the tree.

- Coming down, you do the opposite.

Never disconnected from a safety device until your feet are on the ground.

The prussic knot slides up/down the rope with you. It's design is such that if you yank suddenly on it, it tightens and catches you.