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Tree Stand Safety
Tree stand accidents account for 36% of all hunting accidents. In Maryland, tree stand accidents account for nearly half of all hunting accidents! With those statistics, it is obvious why tree stand safety is so important. Accidents can be caused by: · Permanent stands that are nailed into the tree rot and become a danger · Old or weakened wooden steps collapse causing injury or death · Old or weakened stands can collapse resulting in injury or death · Wooden steps or stands eventually get a slippery growth on them causing slips and falls · Climbing a dead or diseased tree
Before using a tree stand: · Check for metal fatigue on all joints and welds · Check metal stands for rust · Check for missing bolts or nuts · Check wood for rot · Check for deterioration due to poor storage
When thinking tree stand safety, remember the biggest preventer of tree stand accidents is the wearing of a harness, preferably, a full-body harness. In one study only 15% of hunters wear a safety harness, although studies in other parts of the country report figures up to 30%. Remember to use a fall restraint system, which is any device that hunters use to attach themselves to the tree to keep them from falling to the ground in an uncontrolled manner – and it also allows them to safely descend to the ground after falling. The Tree Stand Manufacturers Association and the National Bowhunter Education Foundation [along with many other organizations] recommend wearing a full body harness. A full body harness has straps under the legs and over the shoulders that are designed to keep you upright if you are involved in a tree stand accident. This doesn’t guarantee you won’t have an accident; however, it minimizes the potential for serious injury. It is your best weapon in tree stand safety.
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