I always check and now usually have ladder stands because of the land I hunt now...but years ago I had used a climber and was up 20 feet or so. I had a bow holder attached to the climber that held the bow on the outside of the stand. I had hunted the tree before and after a few hours in the stand I heard cracking up above me. I realized just in time to grab my bow as a big limb fell right beside my stand ...A few inches closer to me I would guess I would be hoping someone would walk close enough to the tree to get me down from my harness, a bit closer than that, and I expect I wouldn't be typing this.
Scary really...it was 4-5 inch thick limb BTW. would have taken me out easy.