Well I climbed into a stand tonight and got settled in. Soon after I had a small buck dog a little doe by. Not long after they disappeared I get a text from my buddy. "Call me it's an EMERGENCY". Not a text you want to read. I call him and he tells me one of our buddies had just fallen out of his treestand. I was the closest to him so I sent him a text saying to stay put I am on the way. I got down and headed to the truck in a hurry. On the way there I arranged for an ambulance to meet us at the farm he was on. At this point I had no idea what kind of shape he was in. Just after talking with the EMS I get a call from my buddy that had fallen. He said I walked to the road and someone dropped me off at the gas station. I could tell he was busted up bad and somewhat delusional. I pull in the station and he's sitting on a bench out front. He is pale white and busted up and saying he feels like he is going to pass out. His lower back was killing him and we were afraid he was bleeding internally. Ambulance showed up and they called for the helicopter.
We went down to the hospital. They ran all the tests and scans and we are still awaiting word. He stepped onto his platform when the ratchet strap let go. He is in fantastic shape and they think that really helped him. He also recalls hitting several limbs on the way down which was sure to help as well.
He lives for deer hunting and said to me as he laid in the hospital bed. I am never hunting again. Please keep him in your prayers tonight and most of all be safe and DO take your cell phone with you at all times.
Always hate to read these. Please keep us posted on how your friend is doing. This makes the 4th story I have heard this year where a ratchet strap gave way.
Hope all turns out for the best! He's in our prayers
:pray:
Tracy
:pray:
May God be with him & his family.
Hope everything works out for your Friend Tom.
Dennis Lewis of Southern Woods and Water TV had a serious accident today also. Strap broke on top section of climbing stick. He was in Surgery for around 4 hours this afternoon with both legs broke and lower back problems.
please be careful out there everyone
Prayers up for your bud!! :pray: :pray: :pray:
Bisch
Sorry to hear this,please keep us posted.
He is in our prayers.
Prayers from Ohio
Sorry to hear about your friend. Please keep us posted.
Prayers sent! I wish him the best.
I hope he'll be okay.
Praying!
Prayers sent from my House TJ.RC
Prayers sent
TJ , sorry to hear this...if there's anything I can do besides keeping him in my prayers please let me know.
Hope he's OK. One of the reasons I quit hunting was the inability to find someone dependable to go with. Always hunt with a buddy.
TJ after taking a fall and getting busted up lately I can feel your friend's pain. Hope he heals up soon.
After my recent accident and after realizing how close I came to death, I can tell you that I have re-thought tree stands. No stand I am in will be without the lifeline and prussic hitch. I also have vowed to never go a season without replacing every stand's rachet strap. I had a friend help me this weekend check my older stands and 4 of them had rotten straps.
God bless this fella and may he find the will to get back after it after healing up. :campfire:
Prayers for your friend TJ. :pray:
Prayer sent. Hope he gets well, soon.
Prayers sent.
Please update us on his recovery.
:pray:
Prayers sent. Keep us posted TJ.
Prayers sent for your buddy sir!
Thoughts and prayers for you and your friend, TJ.
Thank you guys. His wife just texted me with docs news.
"Hes going to be ok. He has a collapsed lung and a broken lower rib."
Man, I hope he'll be alright.
Godspeed.
homebru
He is a very lucky man! i will be checking some ratchet straps out tomorrow....
Me to Rasta. Going to walmart and will be putting two at the top of all mine. Those arent the only things that can fail on a stand and dump you out. A few years ago a side cable that holds up the platform broke on my brother. Thank God he caught a limb as it dumped him out.
That is good news TJ ! Could have been much worse. Prayers for a speedy recovery sent from TN.
Sure hope he will be ok. :pray:
I took a very small amount of rock climbing training some years ago. I noticed that every restraint system has a back-up system.
For that reason I always have 2 straps on my stands. And like Wapiti792 I never leave the ground without a prussic and lifeline. I'm old enuf to know I don't bounce anymore, I break.
JW
Sorry to hear about your bud, man. Hope all turns out well.
I took a bad fall 20 years ago, broke my back.
I ordered life lines for my hang-ons the other day. Too old to take any chances.
Wish everyone the best. Hang in there, tough news.
:pray: :pray:
I'll be praying
:pray:
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
It's getting a bit spooky for me in a tree as well. Maybe time to become a ground pounder. Love the tree advantages, but the Ghillie threads are encouraging.
Take care, everyone.
The life lines are the best things to ever hit the market. They keep you connected the entire time. I'm glad he's not hurt any worse than he is. I hope he can enjoy hunting again.
I have mostly switched to climber with saftey harness connected all the way up. I hope he heals fast and doesn't give up on hunting.
Rob
Best wishes for a 100 % recovery!
Prayers sent!
Prayers sent TJ. Just 2 days ago a friend texted me saying one of his hunting buddy's ladder stand gave way killing him. I haven't always used a safety harness but will from now on. Hope your friend heals quickly.
Prayers sent to him and you and to all that know him,
There are way to many of these fals everyone please be carefull
Please use a safety line make one yourself there are directions here on tradgang to do it or go to HSS and buy one from them you are attached to the tree from the ground up we have one on all of our treestands
http://www.huntersafetysystem.com/store/tree-stand-life-line.html
QuoteOriginally posted by Jock Whisky:
I took a very small amount of rock climbing training some years ago. I noticed that every restraint system has a back-up system.
For that reason I always have 2 straps on my stands. And like Wapiti792 I never leave the ground without a prussic and lifeline. I'm old enuf to know I don't bounce anymore, I break.
JW
Glad to hear he's going to be okay.
I was just hunting with a buddy who deals with ratchet straps on a daily basis. He would never trust just one and that when one part of the ratchet fails the who unit explodes into a bunch of pieces.
Thanks for sharing Tom, I hope your friend is healing up quickly.
Tim
Very glad your hunting partner is O.K.
It brings up a very good warning, regarding the failure of the ratchet straps, especially if the stands are left out year round.
I have had a false sense of security, hunting out of ladder stands, however the double ratched is a fantastic idea.
Praying for your friend!!
Thoughts are with everyone involved. Hope it turns out okay.
I hope everything turns out ok.
Always makes me cringe reading these...but the last few have "better than average" outcomes, but a lot of healing and pain none the less!
This is so close to home. So many of us spend time in our stands and so much can happen.
One moment...being tired, cold, sleepy... and life changes in that instant...or ends.
Prayers for recovery and realization that mechanical things fail...people (us) are the only true safety measure by using back up systems as stated.
Thanks for sharing.
Prayers for healing. Glad to hear he will be OK.
I always use a back-up strap at the top of my stands, usually the motorcycle tie-down type.
I must say that those cables that secure the platform make me nervous. I have not come up with a safety for that, but do wear my SOP harness.
I fell backwards from a home built stand about 20 years ago. 20+ feet. I was fortunate to only shatter my wrist. Makes me extra carefull with treestands now.
I personally think every treestand should have 2 points of attachment to the tree. For an extra couple dollars no stand would break away. Straps of any kind have always worried me. Never seen a good chain destroyed by a squirrel or the sun. Ratchets are particularly worrisome, as the only thing between success and failure are 2 spring-loaded dogs and ratchet gears built to very loose tolerances. When setting a stand I always ask myself "Would you put your kid in this stand?"
I really hope this guy has a full recovery. I'm sure he'll never look at a treestand the same way again.
Prayers sent for a quick recovery!
Hopefully he heals quickly!!
Several years ago I started modifying all my hang on stands whether they attach with strap or chain.
I have added a flat steel strap on the vertical cross bars between the seat and the platform, it has a notch which will set on a screw in step.
This spreads the weight and takes most of the load off the strap. It also makes hanging your stand easier. Screw the step in first hang your stand and attach the strap or chain.
Good reminder to be safe out there, check your stands every time you get in.
Glad no one was seriously injured. Prayers for a speedy recovery.
Thank you relaying the real ever-living possibility.
My prayers continue go out to your friend and his family.
Perhaps it is a blessing that the docs have restricted me to the ground these days.
prayers for a fast heal and a recover in bowhunting drive.
Wow TJ. Glad it was'nt worse. Hoping for his speedy recovery.
Prayers sent to your friend and his family Tom.
After my fall a few years ago, these stories are particularly troubling to me.
Please remember everyone, if you are unattached for even a second while off the ground, you are at risk of falling!
Thanks guys, just talked to him. Three fractured vertebra's also. He is a lucky boy.
Prayers for your friend TJ
:pray:
Sorry to hear about your friend TJ, although it could've been a lot worse. I will keep him in my prayers for a quick and complete recovery.
did his safety harness fail too. It is odd to have both fail
Exactly Jax, If he is able and we are successful in getting him back in a tree I bet he will have one on.
QuoteOriginally posted by jax:
did his safety harness fail too. It is odd to have both fail
What he said
Praying!!!
(http://i.imgur.com/Uqy5q.jpg)
Prayers sent.
Will keep your friend in our prayers.
Prayers sent for your friend. I mostly use a climber and harness all the way up and down. When I do use a loc on I use a separate climbing belt until I get up to the stand and attach my harness tether above the stand before I take the climbing belt off and step onto the stand. Reverse the process on the way down. Takes a little more time and you have to carry an extra belt but I am attached all the way up and down. I also bought a CDS 2 harness this year so if I fall I can lower myself to the ground.
It sounds like he's going to be ok, that's great news! Maybe when he heals up he'll change his mind about not hunting any more and get back at it.
I was out in the wind and rain we had yesterday moving a stand, things just didn't feel right! I'm not a big fan of heights and I just had an uneasy feeling. To tell you the truth I've seen more game hunting from the ground this year, I bought the Rancho Safari get up over the winter and all though I haven't shot anything from it yet, I've had plenty of chances!
Maybe I'll be hunting the ground more often? I'm after fun when I'm huntin, and it's hard to beat game in close on the ground.
Tree stands are safe to a point, but there will always be a level of risk involved in hanging and using them, even if you use a life line, someones gotta put it up that first time. Even if your doing everything safe crap can happen, you just have to decide if it's worth the risk, or if it's a fun way to hunt for you?
Be careful guys & gals, there's been alot of people having falls this season.
Prayers sent from Kansas.
Prayers for recovery. If nothing else, maybe he can be a ground hunter.
Very sorry to hear about this. That kind of thing is great for another reminder to, at the very least, do two things when you're hunting from a tree stand:
a. Wear a vest with a safety harness built into it. Wear it all the time.
b. Chain and lock your tree stand to the tree. Give the chain 1 inch of slack at the most.
Prayers sent from Virginia. May he heal quickly and fully.
Prayers sent. I hope he's going to be okay.
Claudia
Another prayer TJ...
Prayers sent for a speedy healing for your friend TJ.
Sorry to hear about your bud TJ, glad he's going to be ok.
Hope heals up well and soon. Praying for him and his family.
sorry to hear about your friend TJ! we will keep this fellow and his family in our prayers. a few years back when I had the step to fail it really opened my eyes as to just how fast things can go bad.
I am praying for him.
TJ, Hope and pray your friend heals up well and soon. God Bless
This link demonstrates the use of a climbing system using a Prussic or climber's knot. This is the one thing I want my Hunter's Ed participants to KNOW how to use. 70% of falls occur while climbing or transitioning from steps to the platform. Simplying tying off once you're on stand is not good enough!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6OiBv1fR_0
Praying for your friend brother...
Hope your buddy heals up soon. Because of these stories I started putting three ratchet straps on my stands in case the top or bottom ratchet strap decides to let loose. My hope is that the extra strap under the seat and towards the top of the stand will support the stand if the top or bottom strap breaks. I'm just trying to take extra caution...
Ron
I text Drew yesterday morning and he said...."I'm the luckiest guy on the planet" ...I'm just glad he's still with us. Period!....
I text him a pic out the window of my double bull blind and said "hunting from the ground to honor you today"...figured he'd get a chuckle as I'm sure he needs one.
He is now home and in pretty good spirits. Say's it is just very hard to get comfortable.
Like Lowebow says we are trying to keep him upbeat. Here is the text I just sent him.
"I could have been attending your funeral today...Do you have any idea how $hitty that would have been for me."
LOL, that one is sure to make his rib hurt.
I always put 2 extra straps on all my lock-ons. 20 years ago i had a chain break on one of mine as i was drawing on a deer. Thank God i had a safety belt on.
Tom,
So glad he is gonna be ok. I know how he feels, I fell from a 24 foot stand a good many years back, did nothing but knock the breath out of me.. Woke me up on the use of a safety harness.
Lanier
2" ratchet straps are not very expensive. You guys should put one of these on all your lockons.
http://www.shipperssupplies.com/2RatchetStraps/2BuildYourRatchetStrap/
:pray: :pray:
I fell meny years ago climbing down(farmers cows had broke out and went running past me in the woods, I was on my way to get them when I fell) I missed a step and had wool gloves on(no grip) and fell hitting my head. I woke up yelled for help :scared: white. An EMS ride and a long day in the Hosp. Very up set wife and myself very lucky to be still :banghead: DUMB!!!) I now use a rescue one safty system. IF you climb trees to hunt you WILL fall maybe not to the ground, a safty system is the cheapest life insurance out there PLEASE USE THEM. We prey for your friends :pray: speedy recovery
Wow that story really hits home, cant be safe enough!!!
QuoteOriginally posted by KentuckyTJ:
He is now home and in pretty good spirits. Say's it is just very hard to get comfortable.
Like Lowebow says we are trying to keep him upbeat. Here is the text I just sent him.
"I could have been attending your funeral today...Do you have any idea how $hitty that would have been for me."
LOL, that one is sure to make his rib hurt.
I have no doubt that humor helps to heal. Sorry to hear about your close bud Tom, send him a text for me and my best wishes for his continued recovery.
TJ, glad to hear your buddy will be OK and thanks for posting. We can ALL use a reminder every year of just how fast an accident can happen. I'll be a little more careful in the morning just from reading this thread.
QuoteOriginally posted by KentuckyTJ:
2" ratchet straps are not very expensive. You guys should put one of these on all your lockons.
http://www.shipperssupplies.com/2RatchetStraps/2BuildYourRatchetStrap/
I have the strap that comes on all my lockons and I always put one at the top and one at the bottom as well. I also inspect each every year when I re hang all my stands. I have thought about leaving them out all year because they almost always go back in exactly the same spot but I've always been concerned about the straps weakening.
TJ I'm glad your buddy is OK. This thread is scary for me when I read it. I'm the only one in my family out of all my uncles and cusins that wear a harness.
QuoteOriginally posted by KentuckyTJ:
He is now home and in pretty good spirits. Say's it is just very hard to get comfortable.
Like Lowebow says we are trying to keep him upbeat. Here is the text I just sent him.
"I could have been attending your funeral today...Do you have any idea how $hitty that would have been for me."
LOL, that one is sure to make his rib hurt.
Yeah funerals during the rut are a real inconvenience ;)