My son turns 13 this year and he want to try his own stand (hang on 16/18 ft) this year. We have been using ladder stands for the past 4 years when we hunt together. I feel a life line is the safest way for me to get him in the stand. I have not found a video for the life line to see how it is secured to the top of the tree (hunting height) is it a strap or just a lope. I can not find it in a store to look at so I have to get on line. I have a link to the line I have been looking at hope it work.http://www.huntersafetysystem.com/st...sDetailLLS.gif

That's a great idea to use that for you son.....we use them in lots of our stands (actually as many as possible) Climbing and getting into the stand is the most dangerous part! It's just a loop, basically it's a long rope (think mountain climbers rope) with a knot tied in the end of it to create a loop the first time you climb into the stand you wrap the rope around the tree and feed the rope all the way through the loop cinching the lifeline around the tree. Next just drop the rope down next to your ladder stick/steps, and make sure to tie the rope off at ground level to keep tension on the rope. Tying the lifeline to the bottom of the tree lets you slide the prusic knot (the loop that your harness attaches to) up and down with one hand. They work great and best of all will keep you safe!!!

Will We picked one up Saturday and got in the tree. I had my son step of the sticks about five feet up so he could see that it would stop him. Now I need to get him trained to hold on to the ladder and not the rope. If I thought it was going to work so well I would have just bought 100 ft of climbing rope and mad my own. This one cost 45+ now I need three more,I think I will look into some climbing rope.
With this one I had 10 feet on the ground. With the climbing rope I can custom cut for the stand it will go in.