now I know I messed up. However, I was hanging my hang on’s today. Linemen’s belt all the way up until I had life line attached. Everything went well. But my 4 wheeler wouldn’t start or it would start but wouldn’t stay running. Great, we will get it later, so we moved on. Then my buddy showed up and ask for help moving his new ladder stand. He held on the ladder and asked me to gin up and un strapped it. I hesitated and said ah I’m not sure about this. He and my brother said they would hold the ladder so it won’t fall. Ok, I climbed up un strapped it then took one step down. All of a sudden the middle of the ladder started bending backwards. Yes, I fell about 20 feet. I landed feet first, but that wasn’t exactly a good thing either. I immediately felt the un mistakable pain from a broken bone. I couldn’t move my leg but it was in such pain. I finally was pullednto my foot and fell in pain again. Here we are In the woods , with a broke down 4 wheeler and my leg or foot is mush. Luckily my buddy had his 4wheeler on his trailer. With a dead battery. My brother and he went off to try and get his 2 wheeler to run. My 9 year old nephew was left with me and he was so scared and crying. I’m glad they left him because it sort of distracted my pain. Finally they show up load me in the 4 wheeler and we drive back to my Jeep. My dad was there as well so he road with me to the hospital. I drove since it was my left foot and needed something to distract my pain. Long story short. I completely destroyed my Calcaneal ( heel bone). Apparently it’s one the worst bones to break and mine is so severe they say I will not enjoy any of this recovery. Obviously I’m extremely lucky that my back didn’t break. FML. I never go up a stand like this and will never again. For everyone, if your hanging or taking down a ladder stand bring a ladder. It’s not worth the risk. This was a brand new stand purchased less then 3 weeks ago.
That sucks man. I hope you have a quick and full recovery. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Anyone have experience dealing with manufactures, personal injuries because of faulty products? My avatar is the stand that bent in half
Crap, sorry to hear this. A good reminder on safety. I spent quite some time and money putting up a new ladder stand this year but once I got in it, i didn't feel comfortable or safe. I took it down and went back to a climber that I have 100% confidence in.
Man, really sorry to hear about this. Prayers for a fast recovery and thankful you weren't hurt worse. Never would have guessed the ladder would have bent that way.
Man that is a bad deal , glad you are not hurt any worse. I do have to ask ,where are the straps that fasten to the stand and circle around the tree and back down to the bottom of the ladder?
Was the support bar in place between the tree and the ladder? Glad you weren't hurt worse, get well soon.
Sorry to hear about your fall. I'm glad you weren't hurt worse than you were! Speedy recovery to you. Will this effect your new job?
I had a near mishap about three years ago much like yours. Thanks for the reminder to get a sturdy ladder from now on when removing ladder stands. Very sorry to hear of your injury.
Probably the tubular part more so than the cheap part. All my ladder stand are cheap crappy 15 ft stands. All are square though.
