Get a harness system !! Don't be a fool !! If you dont die from the fall you could spend the rest of your life having your diaper changed !! I slipped once coming down from my ladder stand and fell 15 feet and broke my leg, I was lucky !! I hunt out of fixed hang on stands on my property and they all have the HSS lifelines on them, safest way to climb tree and get in and out of a stand!! GET A HARNESS SYSTEM and use it!!