Doesn't matter what stand it was. A harness and a tether should have been used whether it was a climber or a ladder stand.
There are safety harnesses and safety straps that will tether the hunter in for both from the ground up and back down when using either.
AND THE ONLY SAFETY VEST TO USE IS A 5 POINT VEST!
For a ladder stand tthere is a system sold now that is a rope which is tied to the bottom rung and then tied up above in conjunction with the prusik knot which slides on that rope and is attached to your safety harness strap and is the way to go. That is what we highly stress now in all of our hunter safety classes. Can yo fall off a ladder stand? You betcha!
Yes it takes more time but it is your life.
Safe Hunting is NO Accident!
Tree Stand Accidents is a Leading cause of hunting accidents in today's world and why it is stressed so heavily on part of the tests to pass Hunter Safety courses.
JW