Great advice guys. Thank you.
I practiced with a ratchet strap tied to the cables tightening the cable around the tree once I am settled in. This felt much more secure.

I also "flipped the cable up" before putting my weight the upper part again. This certainly seemed to make it grab quicker and stronger.

I just kept climbing up and down about 4 feet last night on different trees with different bark styles. I certainly now have me some insight into how the climber grips different bark.

I'm looking forward to safely using it on my upcoming hunts this season. Right now though, i will only use it in weather that has no precipitation. Not sure i need that factor thrown it on me yet.