Safety of Saddle vs. Tree Stands

[TNbowhunter]

I've heard lots of saddle hunters say, "Saddles are safer than tree stands because you're always attached to the tree." But, I think that's only a partial truth. Many tree stand hunters hunt with no safety harness at all, and many more don't connect their harness until they're at hunting height. For those folks, the saying holds true, as climbing with a saddle and linemen's belt would be safer. But for the tree stand guys wearing a full harness that's connected to an HSS tether from the ground up (the long ones you preset), how could that be less safe than climbing with a linemen's belt, which is definitely not as effective of a "fall restraint" as a tether? Just a little thing that's bugged me lately, and would love to hear others' thoughts.

 

[Wyatt_burp]

I one stick and rappel. Always tethered.

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[TNbowhunter]

I one stick and rappel. Always tethered.

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So would you say that's "safer" than the tree stand hunter who's tethered (with a full harness) all the way up and down, too? It seems equal (at best) to me, which is sort of my point...

 

[Weldabeast]

My climbing method didnt change with the switch from hang on stand.....I use linesman while climbing and tether in to either bridge with saddle or the lanyard on harness

 

[Wyatt_burp]

So would you say that's "safer" than the tree stand hunter who's tethered (with a full harness) all the way up and down, too? It seems equal (at best) to me, which is sort of my point...

I would say I am safer now than when I hunted from stands. I used to wear a Muddy harness that I would clip in as I got to the top of my ladder before I got on my stand. Or if I was using a climber stand, no harness at all.



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[Rich1201]

My climbing method didnt change with the switch from hang on stand.....I use linesman while climbing and tether in to either bridge with saddle or the lanyard on harness

This. I get the sentiment of the "saddle is safer" statement but regardless of method both require a great deal of personal responsibility on the climber. Neglegence with either method could result in devastating consequences.

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[joesoup]

It would be a mighty difficult thing to self rescue if you were wearing a harness on a safety line, almost impossible unless you had extra ropes. With a saddle you always have two possible points of connection so self rescue is absolutely possible.

 

[peteherbst]

My climbing method didnt change with the switch from hang on stand.....I use linesman while climbing and tether in to either bridge with saddle or the lanyard on harness

Same. My HHS harness has lineman’s loops and I used a lineman’s belt the entire climb until I was clipped in.

 

[DB4x4]

In my opinion, saddles and RCHs give you a better chance to self rescue, whereas with a typical treestand style safety harness, it is much more difficult. You are essentially a kitten being held by the scruff of its neck. If self rescue is not possible, you are then relying on others to help. Will there be adequate cell service? Will you even have your phone on you? If not, you are relying on someone realizing you are missing AND knowing where to find you.

Oh, and if self rescue in a treestand style harness is not possible, you had better have some sort of suspension relief on hand and know how to use it properly. If not, you have 20-30 minutes before you succumb to suspension trauma. If you don't know what that is, look it up ASAP.

 

[Weldabeast]

My harness came with a strap that u would either attach to ur linesmans loops and make a sling to stand to relief pressure or u could girth to the tree to make a foot hold....that is essentially what I carry now except its amsteel and I carry 2 now instead of a 1 strap

I feel 100xs safer in the saddle versus a harness....I could never get the harness to fit just right and if I did fall with the harness loose like that it would have damaged my boys 4 sure

 

[HuntNorthEast]

So would you say that's "safer" than the tree stand hunter who's tethered (with a full harness) all the way up and down, too? It seems equal (at best) to me, which is sort of my point...

Comparing one method of being tethered to a tree saddle hunting to the SAFEST method of being tied in tree stand hunting shouldn't be the matrix.

MOST of the time saddle hunters are tied in from the ground up (no matter which climbing method), weigh that against all other safety systems of tree stand hunters and I guarantee saddle hunters are indeed safer during ascent.

 

[DB4x4]

Treestand Hunter Dies – Bowhunting.Net

bowhunting.net

"Suspension trauma occurs when a person is suspended in a full body harness and the leg straps constrict the legs. When blood is pumped into the legs the constriction stops the blood from flowing back to the heart. Blood pools in the legs. This results in a drop in blood pressure followed by unconsciousness. A study by the US Air force discovered that a victim hanging suspended motionless in a harness can loose consciousness in as little as 5 minutes. This condition can then lead directly to death if the victim is not rescued."

 

[HuntNorthEast]

In my opinion, saddles and RCHs give you a better chance to self rescue, whereas with a typical treestand style safety harness, it is much more difficult. You are essentially a kitten being held by the scruff of its neck. If self rescue is not possible, you are then relying on others to help. Will there be adequate cell service? Will you even have your phone on you? If not, you are relying on someone realizing you are missing AND knowing where to find you.

Oh, and if self rescue in a treestand style harness is not possible, you had better have some sort of suspension relief on hand and know how to use it properly. If not, you have 20-30 minutes before you succumb to suspension trauma. If you don't know what that is, look it up ASAP.

Valid point! Leg reliefs or you are F'd rapidly! First thing they teach you in any fall protection course...

 

[DB4x4]

I stumbled onto tree saddles by questioning the safety of my (at the time) current setup about 5 years ago...

How did you get started with saddle hunting?

My dad's friend had a trophyline that he used twice and packed it away. I happened to be there when he was cleaning out his garage. I saw camo and asked what it was and he told me. I guess I looked interested enough and he said I could have it. Took it home, figured it out and got a lot of...

saddlehunter.com

 

[Sniper4hire]

My percetion is that saddles are safer. It may be an illusion but I go higher in a saddle than a hang-on tree stand because of that perception. I guess if you're playing by all the rules, one should be just as good as the other.

 

[Cotehex]

Like others have said the ability to self rescue is the biggest difference to me.

 

[beej32]

Prior to using a saddle, I always used a harness and lifeline, so I questioned whether a saddle was truly safer. But I also only ever hunted presets and had no run-and-gun capabilities. Switching to a saddle gave the option to be mobile without compromising safety. I think that’s the biggest benefit. It’s not always an apples-to-apples comparison.

 

[sureshotscott]

But for the tree stand guys wearing a full harness that's connected to an HSS tether from the ground up (the long ones you preset), how could that be less safe than climbing with a linemen's belt, which is definitely not as effective of a "fall restraint" as a tether?

It's not.

Theoretically.

We don't have some overarching safety organization doing statistical analysis of all these incidents and publishing data for nerd consumption.

We have some reasonably smart guys analyzing the available data.

Tree stand guys wearing a harness connected to a tether from the ground up are probably safe as all getout. No worries.

 

[Bigterp]

You could be safe in either when safety measures are applied correctly. My main thing that I come back to is I’m consistently putting pressure on my safety lines not so in my old run & gun set. My hss tether was loose behind my head. I had one scenario where I hung in a friends set & the stand dropped out from underneath me from a bad ratchet strap ( the harness held & my back was wrecked for weeks). I know falls can happen due to faulty gear, improper use & failures. But I feel safer my saddle, that’s good enough for me.

 

[Apex7]

I carry a Treestand Wingman in a pouch in case I have a problem in my saddle. I hook it to my bridge and in a emergency I can safely lower my self to the ground.