Ditto on putting weight at the end of the platform furthest from the tree and the same with the seat portion. Let those teeth dig in. Also make sure you tie the top and bottom half together, you don't want to be dangling from the seat while your platform skitters down the tree. Also a ratchet strap around the tree attached to the seat portion helps keep things secure, and as others have said, angle the stand upwards so it will level out as you climb. If you didn't angle it up enough, climb down, adjust and start again. Its no fun being up there with the platform or seat angled downwards, at least not for me. I always feel like I am going to fall. All is good when level though.