I've been using the HSS for a few years now and I always keep extra steps in the vest pockets to screw into the tree just in case of a fall, which by the way has never happened to me. One thing I do though that prevents me from falling in the first place is adjust the strap so that my movement is limited while I'm in the stand. When I'm near the edge of my stand, my lanyard is tight. This prevents me from stepping off the edge but one never knows what could happen so fall protection is an absolute necessity. I like the thought of having a way to reach the ground safely without having to cut and jump. 25 feet is a long way down.