I can only speak for myself and my experiences, I use to climb into stands that were nailed into trees ten years earlier. As long as the steps didn't twist too much and the wood seem strong it was great. Once I progressed to a hang on stand and strap steps I felt great, the nasty double loop safety BELT they supplied was worthless. But I felt secure in the stand, much more than the rotted wood stands.

Once I progressed to a climbing stand and it came with a five point harness, I now feel naked when in a stand without the harness (which has happened a few times due to forgetting a component).

I did feel the safety harness was needed and spoke to my father about it, he was resistant for quite a while, he had been a contractor and scaled buildings and heights for years and was fearless. He finially relented and wears one religiously.

It does take all of us varying experiences to take the step, I promote it with all new hunters (which I will be speaking with one Tuesday who works with my wife). I believe it is important to wear one but it wasn't instantaneous with the first time I heard about safety belts/harnesses.

My thought with the grieving family.