ORIGINAL: Cougar Mag
I tell everyone to have a safety belt or harness around the tree while hanging stands.
Having said that, I've hung and still hang stands unattached to the tree[X(]. I carry some of my stands with one hand while climbing with the other. But the tricky part is holding on to the tree, holding the stand with one hand and throwing the chain or strap around with the other, then fastening the chain or strap on while still holding on to the tree. I guess I have been lucky in that I haven't fallen..............so far.
This is the way it is for me also. However I picked up a linemans belt for my HSS so this year I hope to be a little safer.