With deer hunting seasons underway across much of the U.S., numerous state game departments and law enforcement offices are reporting injuries—and deaths—related to falls from treestands. In many of the incidents the injured person was not wearing a safety harness. In some cases the hunter did not fall but died because the safety harness being worn was not properly used and this resulted in strangulation. In many states, the deaths related to falls from treestands now exceeds the number of hunters killed in hunting or firearms accidents.
Tips for staying safe include:
- Use a full-body harness or approved arrest device to prevent a fall.
- Inspect your treestand and related equipment for cracks, missing parts or damage before use, and do an online search to determine if the stand has been possibly recalled.
- When using a treestand, hunt with other hunters when possible to be better prepared in case an emergency arises.
- Always let friends and family members know where you are hunting, and when you will return—period.
- Carry a cellphone and keep it in a location so it available for use.
- Select the tree you will place the stand on carefully and be certain the tree is alive. Do not rely on tree limbs as steps.
Visit www.projectstand.net for more details and safety tips
