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Safety in Tree Stands
Tree stand accidents account for 36% of all hunting accidents. In Maryland, tree stand accidents account for nearly half of all hunting accidents! 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
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.
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