I'm not a member of the safety police union, but I do have a fun police badge. We're kind of the same thing.
The ratings on climbing gear are based on two assumptions: There's a threshold for margin of error that once you're above it, the odds of something breaking are almost zero. And second, it's implied you're properly trained and certified to use the equipment, so the power of the first assumption is magnified by you staying within known operating parameters.
Most casual consumers of climbing gear, specifically hunters, make the assumption that if the gear carries a strength rating, doing things within that rating aren't dangerous. They not only reduce the effectiveness of strength ratings, like you said - they may even create scenarios where the strength of the climbing equipment becomes the actual risk factor.
You're very right Sir!
This next part is not directed at you
@Bwhana !
I firmly support separating "climbing a tree" from "saddle hunting". The "I got my saddle, what climbing method do you recommend?" Line of thinking is very dangerous. Saddle companies are making an assumption - Our product is designed to hold you under constant tension, on properly rated ropes/hardware. They do drop tests, and strength ratings on the equipment to reduce liability insurance costs, and make it more difficult to litigate against them in an injury case. THEY DO NOT DO DROP TESTS, STRENGTH TESTS, CERTIFICATIONS, TMA, ETC. FOR YOUR WELL BEING. I REPEAT - TESTING IS NOT DONE FOR YOU. Because people conflate using a saddle to hunt, and how they climb a tree, people are going to die. A saddle is designed to hold your butt at height under tension. That's it. ITS GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH CLIMBING A TREE.
If you want equipment designed to help you safely climb a tree - There's plenty out there. New Tribe has built an entire business around the industry. If you're not using properly rated arborist and climbing equipment, and you're not trained properly by properly certified climbing instructors, you're introducing a large amount of risk into your hunting activities. I'm not pooping on the parade - I climb trees too. But it is very important to understand that YOU are assuming ALL of that risk - you will not win any consolation prizes, cash awards, nothing from a saddle company if you hurt yourself climbing a tree. And I think that's important. People see 24kn rating, tma approved, "everybody's doing it", etc. and they convince themselves that it's not likely that something bad will happen, and its not their responsibility if it does. This is wrong.
It bears repeating - climbing trees is dangerous. It is still dangerous if you have a strong piece of fabric planted on your backside. It is still dangerous if you use a lineman's belt. Or your tether. It's dangerous if you use super rigid steel climbing sticks or steps or ladders that don't flex or have been tested to high heaven to hold up a truck. It's dangerous when you're 2 feet off the ground, or 20 feet in the air. It's dangerous if you practice. It's dangerous if conditions are perfect. It's dangerous.
Get the notion out of your head that hanging from a rope in a tree, and climbing a tree, are related in ANY way in regards to risk. And get the notion out of your head that the numbers and letters stamped on the side of your equipment mean anything if you're not properly trained and your gear properly vetted for climbing trees.
- "Treestand Manufacturer’s Association (TMA), industry standards for treestands and treestand harnesses were developed and approved by members of the association. The association’s bylaws require that members in the Manufacturing Class submit products to a third party testing firm and certified by that testing firm to meet or exceed industry standards recognized by TMA. TMA members have voted and approved eleven (11) Treestand Manufacturing Standards (TMS)".
