Bulzeye

There really are some huge forces there that are oftenunderestimated.
I use fall-protection fairly often at work. One of the things included in our training is that a 200 pound human falling a short ways of15 feet or so can exert almost 5,000 pounds of force on the anchor point to which he is tied.

Not something I want to experience.

Windwalker7

I skipped over most of the posts, but let me say this;


Try putting a safety belt around your waiste ( or under armpits).

Now go stand next to a tree.

Strap the other end as high up the tree as you can.

Now, SLOWLY bend your knees to let yourself hang from the belt. What do you notice? IT HURTS!

A co-worker told me to try this many years ago. That night I went and bought a full body harness.
I could not imagine the pain of falling and coming to the end of the strap with a sudden jolt. OUCH!
Many huntershave had lungs punctured, hung upside down, sufficated or had the wind knocked out of them by a belt.

A full body harness is the only way to go.


OSHA does not allow a simple safety belt in the work place anymore. They onlyallow full body harness.

BDC

That's not entirely true. OSHA does allow waist belts as positioning devices only.

You are allowed up to 25' on a fixed ladder without fall protection if you use a positioning device such as a waist belt and a rebar chain assembly that restricts a fall within 2'. You are correct by stating OSHA does not allow waist belts as fall protection.

I often wonder why nobody has come up with a positioning device as an alternative to full body harnesss'. They would be easier to climb with and would not be in your way of shooting since it would be connected at your waist. In the event of a fall, your fall would be limited to 2'. This force exerted from a 2' fall would not be enough to cause any harm. Plus you would only fall down 2', would would still be able to grab your stand and pull yourself back up or shimmy down the tree.

Fall arrest full body systems are not the answer to hunt with if you ask me. They are bulky and awkward which could cause you to fall. They are in the way, which could cause you to miss or make a bad shot on an animal. But they are better than nothing.

GregH

I feel this way, exactly. I've depended on the single belt system since day one. I currently still do, however, since I'm getting older I may switch to the vest system. My bones don't heal as quickly as they used to.[:-]

johnnydialtone

I started using the full body harness that came with my Summit stand last year and once I figured out how to put it on it hasn't been a problem. Don't see how it gets in the way much. Had to do a full turn facing the tree on the first deer I shot this year andit didn't get in the way. I just ducked under it. I wear it under a layer or two and put it on before I get into the woods so I can see what I am doing. I can't even tell I'm wearing it. Using that harness and my climber I feel more comfortable about going higher up.

Ray Hunter 42

The hss is the way to go, Takes a whole 5 seconds to put it on and it can act like a layer of cloths if you get a heavyer one. Its very comfortable but when i shot my 11 point i drew back and my arm did hit the strap and i had to bend my arm and put it under and then send that arrow right threw the lungs of the deer.
But that will happen on all of them so i cant complain. But i love my HSS and i tthink its the only way to go.

MOmightymite

I suggest you use one of the saftey harness vests. These make it easy for people to wear harnesses because you dont have the hustle and bustle of putting your arm or leg in the wrong place. They keep your harness from becoming a tangled mess, and also keep your harness close to your body while hunting. They are rather expensive but i think i would give more money to keep me from getting hurt.

heeze gutshot shortee

chitownbow...get a safety vest...the end

kybowhunter423

i have a full body harness, never could get use to it, so i had to cut the leg straps off, i know its not safe and might break a few ribs if i fall but it beats nothing at all.....looking to buy a Hunter Safety System, seems to be the only way to go, ive heard lots of good talk about it

wis_bow_huntr

I like the upper body half body restraint with the climbing attachment and quick release clip.