May 13, 2014
By Jeff Weakley

If you slip from your treestand, a properly fitted and secured safety harness should prevent you from falling to the ground. But now you're in something of a fix. Will you be able to rescue yourself from potentially life-threatening suspension trauma? As your legs dangle beneath your torso, blood may pool up, which lowers the rate of blood returning to the heart, and eventually the flow of oxygen to the brain. There are many devices, tips and videos on the Internet showing various ways of extricating yourself from a treestand fall.
Today, Florida Sportsman members are sharing some they've found, including: carrying a couple of screw-in steps to assist in retaking the stand; securing the safety harness high enough above the stand to avoid dropping below it; and rappel-style brake devices, such as the Rescue One system (a video is shown) and the Tree Spider Live Wire.
To find out what others are using, or share helpful stories that could save a fellow hunter's life, join the discussion here.