I read that statistically one in 4 tree stand hunters will have a falling accident some time in their lives. A very good friend of mine who is a Vt hunter ed instructor fell from his climber just as he was getting ready to hitch up at the top. He said he knew the risks and had always attached on the way up but this one time took a shortcut. He ended up breaking his neck and was sidelined for months. If this whole thread makes one person safer than it was worth posting the safety info.