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Another saddle accident

Illinois Hunter Ed instructor, saddle hunted for while. Each year I get to see the stats from hunting accidents. In Illinois "stands" are still most used. But, there has been 3 reports of saddle accidents, this goes back 15 years. I got to talk with the 3 people who had issues with using saddle, and thanked them for sharing to better educate people. 2 was not using the correct gear, and the other was not using it right. Again, this come from me talking with them and going over what they did. All 3 had no idea about carabiners not being side loaded, or the proper use of rope management. One told me "I thought 550 was what it could hold". These people survived with minor injuries. Why I make it a mission to educate all those that I can, when I teach a hunter ed class, it comes up and I break mine out and go in detail.
 
I've noticed a distinct pattern when it comes to reports (or just stories) of many saddle accidents: There's rarely any proof or details included. I'm not saying that's always the case, but it is often. Even when I've reached out directly to the person, group or organization who have claimed an incident, I have not been able to get any details about what caused the failure. Just a muddy tale of a failure or injury while using a saddle, similar to what we have here. I suspect that there are obvious reasons why this is.

Saddle hunting can be dangerous and risky. Climbing 20 ft in a tree via any means and for any reason can be dangerous and risky. I'm not claiming otherwise at all. People can and will get injured when engaging in these activities. Just sharing my observations when it comes to many of the saddle injury reports over the past few years.
 
Sempertodd said:
Illinois Hunter Ed instructor, saddle hunted for while. Each year I get to see the stats from hunting accidents. In Illinois "stands" are still most used. But, there has been 3 reports of saddle accidents, this goes back 15 years. I got to talk with the 3 people who had issues with using saddle, and thanked them for sharing to better educate people. 2 was not using the correct gear, and the other was not using it right. Again, this come from me talking with them and going over what they did. All 3 had no idea about carabiners not being side loaded, or the proper use of rope management. One told me "I thought 550 was what it could hold". These people survived with minor injuries. Why I make it a mission to educate all those that I can, when I teach a hunter ed class, it comes up and I break mine out and go in detail.
Click to expand...

thanks for doing this....an aside but i was trying to figure out my length for an aider at ground level and wanted to use cheap rope during trial and error and then use the good stuff (climb rated webbing, etc) once i got my specs down

well, when stepped on the rope from lowes that looked just like climbing rope, it majorly stretched......a rope autopsy showed that the core was folded plastic sheeting
 
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