I use a full body harness when I use my tree climber and when I'm on stand. PERIOD!!! One came with my Ameristep tree stand with directions so I'm good. I go to a yard sale last year and a hunter is selling a brand new Grizzley full body for $3....MINE! No directions but that is okay. I put it on to test it out and there is an extra strap. There is a buckle located on both hips with a piece of adjustable webbing going from one buckle to the other. This forms a loop in front of me at my hips. Is this supposed to be a linemans loop? Do you use that if you climb steps? I know it will be too close for me to use with my climber. I will use the normal tree strap and slide it up as I go. If it is a linemans loop then I will remove it and leave it in the van or maybe put it in my pack for a drag strap or something.

Also the strap going from my back to the tree loop is folded and sewn about a dozen times. Is this supposed to be a sort of shock absorber if I fall. I see them popping and extending until I reach the end of my rope...[&o]. My son is a quality auditor for a seat belt factory. I will ask him if that would work.

Thanks for any answers to my dumb stupid question for the day.

Reid

Dunno ..that's why I bought a vest type, I could never understand all them straps and loops. I also didn't have the time to try and figure them out in the dark! I have 3-4 collecting dust that came with stands.

same here, i use a vest. it is much easier. didnt they tell you in school there is no such thing as a stupid question

Maybe it is not so dumb and stupid since 60 hunters have read the post and nobody has given me an answer....

Yes the loop around the waist is the linesman harness. The folds in the main strap are there for two fold, one is to pop in the case of fall to let you know that the harness has been used (ie get a new one) and the other to reduce stress in the event of fall. That is what I was told anyway.

Tom

Or maybe we're all just dumb and stupid when it comes to figuring out all those straps... I don't trust a vest to hold without crushing my chest but from rock climbing, I'm always prepared for a lot harder fall than anyone should ever experience from a treestand. Full body harness with leg loops is still the way I go. I believe you're correct about the stitching being used to convert relatively static (stiff) webbing into something more dynamic (stretchy). A 10' fall on a static line would make you feel like you'd been cut in half.

Yep, those loops are lineman's. They are intended for climbing w/steps. The folds are precisely for what u said, shock absorption. Good thing u wear your harness. I've actually responded to a call, in which a guy shot a buck, got the fever, & walked right off the dam stand.Down 20', nowhe's a quad now, no more hunting for him. Felt sorry for him.

The dumb, stupid question is the one that's not asked.

Here's a bit of info about harnesses that most don't know. Once you have fallen, you have less than 2 minutes to free yourself from the unfortunate situation. Should always carry a knife to cut the lanyard if you cannot get free. I build scaffold and have to wear a harness all of the time and this came up inone of our safety meetings. Apparently, after 2 minutes or so, the blood circulation is completely cut off from your lower extremeties and when you get freed after this happens, you are in great danger of heart failure due to the massive amount of blood rushing to your lower half. So be careful, wear your harness, and don't fall.

Pictures really do help.