well, I gotta tell you, I'm not sure. As of yet I put the vest on, climb my tree, then secure it to the trunk when I'm up there. I know this isn't the best, but there are some circumstances that make it difficult in the tree I'm hunting in to use it while climbing.

But yes, I watched the DVD that came with my vest just yesterday and that's how you would do it. You put the strap around the tree but keep it loose and slide it up as you climb. When you get up there, then you tighten it down. It's cumbersome, but it works.