Warnings
5
WARNING! The length of the full-body fall arrest tether must be minimized at all times. It should
be adjusted so that it is above the head with no slack (snug) in the sitting position and you should
have the minimum amount of slack possible when climbing. Failure to follow these instructions
may result in serious injury or death!
WARNING! Failure to follow harness instructions could result in not being able to return to the
stand and being suspended in a harness after a fall. If your hunting location is unknown by anyone
and communications efforts are unsuccessful, you must have a personal plan for self-
recovery/escape should you experience a fall. Prolonged suspension in a harness can be fatal. It
is important to exercise the legs by pushing against the tree or doing other forms of continuous leg
exercise to avoid blood pooling while being suspended. Varying degrees of physical fitness may
require different plans for self-recovery/escape to avoid the effects of prolonged suspension. Have
a personal plan and practice it in the presence of a responsible adult before leaving the ground.
No one escape/rescue plan will work for every hunter, on every tree, in every circumstance. Only
you can determine the best self-recovery/escape plan for your hunting situation and you must
have a self-recovery/escape plan for your individual situation before leaving the ground. There is
time to make a correct decision on what action to take if a fall occurs while wearing a full-body fall
arrest harness. It is important to remember, “DO NOT PANIC.” You must only hunt from the
ground when self-recovery/escape ability is absent. Failure to follow these instructions may result
in serious injury or death!
Several optional products/systems are available that offer self-recovery or self extraction from a
fall when suspended in a harness. Some systems automatically descend the user while others
allow user control. One of these products/systems can be considered for use as an additional
safety precaution against prolonged suspension and suspension trauma. Be sure to follow the
manufacturers’ directions on the safe use of these products/systems.
WARNING! A suspension relief device must be on your person and readily accessible while using
your full-body fall arrest harness. These devices allow the user to relieve the load on the lower
extremities if suspended in a harness and help maintain circulation in the legs, mitigate
suspension trauma (blood pooling) or allow descent to the ground. Be sure to follow the directions
on the safe use of any suspension relief device. Failure to follow these instructions may result in
serious injury or death!
WARNING! If you have a limiting physical and/or health condition, DO NOT hunt from heights
above ground level. Hunt from the ground when self-recovery/escape ability is absent. Failure to
follow these instructions may result in serious injury or death!
WARNING! NEVER allow the harness tether to get under your chin or around your neck. This
poses a choking hazard that can lead to serious injury or death. Failure to follow these instructions
may result in serious injury or death.
WARNING! Never attempt to climb up or climb down with a weapon and/or gear. ALWAYS unload
your weapon and pull it up to hunting height using a pull up rope when raising or lowering
firearms, the chamber must be open and the barrel pointing toward the ground. ALWAYS lower
your unloaded weapon down to the ground prior to attempting to climb down. Use this same
method when raising or lowering all other gear. Failure to follow these instructions may result in
serious injury or death!
