Alright guys. I want to start off by saying that I was very reluctant to post this thread. Mainly because I don't ever want to come across as someone that sounds like they're lecturing others. But an event that happened to me Sunday night seems like it should be said and hopefully someone will make a change because of this. I told my teammates about this in our team thread but I think everyone could use it as a reminder for themselves or someone else they might know. So Sunday afternoon I decided to sit in an area that I had very nice pictures of bucks from last year and this summer. The weather was perfect and it was a beautiful day. I hadn't seen anything all night and decided to get down about 6:30. I lowered my bow as I have thousands of times and proceeded to step on the climbing sticks. When on the climbing sticks I removed my tether from the rope style tree attachment. I will add that I purchased a new HSS ultralite harness and rope style attachments before the season. Well right as I got unhooked the branch I was holding onto with my off hand broke and down I went about 17 feet. Before I really knew what had happened I was squirming around on the ground trying to catch my breath. After I was able to regain a few breaths I did my best to keep calm. I called the first number that showed up on my phone, which happened to be my parents, and told them what happened. After that I was able to collect my gear and head out towards my truck. Luckily I was only about 300 yards or so from my truck. By the time I got ready to go my parents were waiting on the road for me. Anyway, I don't want to ramble on too much. My parents drove me to the ER where after about 4 hours of scans and x-rays it was determined that I broke 7 ribs on my my left side and had a small puncture to my right lung. I was kept in the hospital until last night when the doctor finally gave into my request of being released. I am in no way looking for sympathy, but I wanted to share the story with you all in case there is somebody out there that still doesn't wear a harness. I thought I was taking all the precautions. Unfortunately I found out the hard way that I wasn't. From now on I will be using the life-line system every time out. In fact I wish there was a way that it was made mandatory. Accidents can happen. And in a blink of an eye. I can attest to that. Sorry for the long post everyone, but I hope somebody can find value in this. I am extremely lucky that my injuries weren't worse. Please be safe out there....
I'm glad that you are going to be OK. Very scary. I wear a HHS vest but dont use the lifeline, but I use a 15' ladder stand. I have been trying for years to get my brother to buy a HHS vest because he is 25 foot up on a ladder stand, but he wont listen. Once I can afford I am going to buy him one. Thanks for sharing your story.
Glad you are a live bud!! I've always wanted to use lifelines and decided the price isn't worth it per one....DON'T FREAK...WHICH IS WHY WE'RE GOING TO BE MAKING OUR OWN GOING INTO NEXT SEASON
glad to hear you are ok.....that's my biggest fear....not falling....but not being able to get back up after a fall.....i hate all the extra safety equipment especially since i pack in and pack out almost every time but i do it because i couldn't imagine not going home to my 9 month old and my wife....hope people take your story to heart....it can happen to anyone at anytime
Praying for a quick recovery for you, Bro .... that sucks ... I use my tree hopper while climbing sticks and everything else ... very easy to adjust as to go up and down and around branches and stuff...
dude kyle! if u need anything just tell me and i will swing over by ur place and help you out! Glad your ok!
Oh wow Kyle...thank god it wasn't worse! It is a good thing you were able to call for help and able to walk out of there...and even able to post this story for all of us to learn from. I wish you a speedy recovery. Take Care!
Wow - I'm glad you're okay!! Just proof yet again why the LifeLife is something we should all be investing in. I have them on 90% of my sets right now, and by next year I'll have them on 100% of them for this exact reason.
Wow Kyle, glad your here to tell the tell and thanks for sharing. I don't think anyone should be afraid of lecturing something they feel can saves others lives. I just starting using the life-line this year and have been preaching about them myself. Cheap enough to buy and even easier to make. Get well soon bud.
So glad you weren't injured worse. 17 feet is quite a fall. I just moved to a body sling that can also be used for climbing... I have always used the old fashioned waste to tree belt/straps but decided I have pressed my luck far too long. Get well soon. Seven ribs... wow! Any surgery required?
Very sorry to hear this. I too wear my safety harness... always. I pack in everything (stand, calls, scents, you-name-it) and I find that adding a safety harness to my outfit can be quite cumbersome... but that's nothing compared to packing in a wheelchair! I hope you have a speedy recovery.
glad to hear you made it out ok. You just talked me into purchasing my first life line. thanks for sharing, now get better and get back out there.
this is why you shouldn't be worried about "preaching" on a topic like this.....you did good my friend
Man I'm glad to hear you survived but seven broken ribs is nothing to sneeze at. I'm sure you are going to be quite sore for some time. Thanks for sharing your story and reminding all of us about treestand safety. I will pray for a quick and complete recovery for you. Blessings........Pastorjim
Hope you make a speedy recovery and glad that it was not worse. I will be using a harness this year and will use the lifeline as well.
Man I hope you have a speedy recovery for sure and wish you the best. Exactly why I would like to be using a lifeline myself, but I can't afford it. I have a hard time believing they should cost that much. I would need about 12 of them, $400+...I wish I could afford that but I can't. Hopefully they stop caring so much about making money and lower the prices so more hunters can be safe out there. Well see...
Wishing you a speedy recovery. I have a not so good story about a friend on this, but I don't want to hijack the thread. Hope you recover well.
