Use of the Suspension Relief Strap
Suspension trauma or blood pooling can occur when
suspended motionless in a harness for periods of time.
This can lead to unconsciousness and death.
1.
Retrieve the Suspension Relief Strap (SRS) from the
storage pouch on the side of the harness.
See figure
25
.
2.
One end of the SRS strap will be pre-attached to
your harness shown in
figure 26 position A
.
3.
Tie the other end of the SRS to the harness belt loop
as show in
figure 26 position B.
4.
Adjust the SRS so
the large loop it forms is just above the ankles -
figure
27
.
5.
Put both feet in the loop and stand up to relieve the
pressure from the harness leg straps. See
figure 28 and figure 29.
NOTE:
Re-adjust the length
of the loop if considerable pressure is still felt on the leg
straps.
Self extraction may be necessary in the unfortunate
situation that A) No one knows your location, B) Your
communication efforts are exhausted, C) You are
confident that you have the strength, dexterity and
ability to perform self-extraction and D) You decide this
is your “absolute last resort”. It is necessary to carry a
device to assist with this self-extraction. Simple devices
such as screw-in steps or a rope “Tree Descender”
(available from Summit) will allow you to remove the
weight from your harness. This may enable you to
return to the treestand/ladder/climbing steps or slowly
descend the tree.
Several optional products/systems are available that
offer self-recovery or self extraction from a fall when
suspended in a harness. Returning to the ground
obviously also relieves suspension trauma and some
systems automatically descend the user while others
allow user control. If one of these products/systems
is selected for use as an additional safety precaution
against prolonged suspension, be sure to follow the
manufacturers’ directions for safe use.
WARNING
!
Prolonged harness suspension may be fatal. If
rescue personnel cannot be notified, you must
have a plan to recover / escape before hunting.
WARNING
!
If you have to hang in the tree before help arrives,
you need to exercise your legs by pushing off from
the tree, raising your knees to your chest or by
using the attached suspension relief strap.
WARNING
!
This Suspension Relief Strap
MUST
be on your person
and accessible while using your harness!!! The steps
below assume you are hanging by your tether line
after a fall.
A
B
SRS
STRAP
26
27
28
29
