if you follow the instructions and use the provided saftey harness you are going to be very safe. I would trust a Summit stand alot farther than I would any other manufactures stand. Of course any time your feet come off the ground you are going to be at some risk, but In my not so humble opinion Summit makes the Safest stands on the market. I would contact them and have them send out some materials to you, or maybe even have your dad contact them and speak to them directly about safety. I know they would be glad to help out any way they can. Of course I am saying all this without really knowing how old you are? I am assuming that you are old enough, and mature enough to use a climbing stand responably.