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Saddle Death… Stay safe out there.

Even the medical community has difficulty giving “cause” of death a crisp answer in cases of suspension trauma.

If you’ll commit 30 minutes of your time to listening to the talk, you’ll hear Dr. Roger B. Mortimer, MD explain this, and how a person can be incapacitated within a few minutes of hanging passively with blood flow pooling in their legs. Death in less than 10 minutes has been documented in numerous cases that he discusses.

In one case, the autopsy for an otherwise healthy woman in her 20s who died from suspension trauma simply cited the cause of death as “circulatory collapse.”
 
This is a very sad situation and I can’t imagine what the family is going through.
For me personally it hits very close to home and makes me realize my short comings when it comes to hunting safety.
For years I’ve hunted alone never really ever told anyone where I’m at other than my hunting area in general but never the exact spot but I plan to change that habit with technology by dropping a pin at my location and sharing with my wife.
Since I’ve started saddle hunting I haven’t carried a knife or suspension relief system in case something happened and I needed it.
I have focused on packing less stuff over safety it seems.
The one thing I have done is practice my climbing method down to where I’m very proficient at it.
Actually I’ve practiced so much my wife has said many times why are you always climbing those ropes but I am glad I have put in the time to get to the level I feel I’m at.
I have chosen DRT as my method to climb and honestly feel it’s the safest method I’ve used in 47 years of hunting from a tree.
I agree if you don’t want to put in the time to get it down you should leave the ropes alone but without practice with any system your best to leave your feet on the ground.
I hope we all can learn from this very bad situation and take a close look at ourselves and how we do things to improve our safety.
No one will every know what really happened that day but we can use it for good to learn and grow.
I hope everyone has a great season everyone be safe out there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Lots going on here for someone new to the site and late to this thread.

I had a TBI in 2020 (on a beach bike - idiot!) and almost died, so now I don’t take anything for granted. I’ve upped my ear and eye pro, avoid indoor ranges, muzzle brakes and other ways of getting concussion waves, and relevant to this thread, I’m trying to climb more safely.

I admit to not always having used the safest approaches when climbing ladder stands and pre-set sticks, but I’ve improved. I always tie in at least to a life line, and I’m exploring new climbing methods. I do cringe when I watch a friend hang a stand and attach a lifeline at the top when only using an LB to get up there.

Some of even the advanced methods, if practiced, are probably better than some of the methods of climbing I (and I imagine others) have done without any YouTube or other preparation - like climbing wet sticks wearing 5.5lbs of rubber boots and only tying in at the top. (Guilty!).

Learning in person is often ideal, but not always. Look how many have said their mentors taught them by omission, or how I “learned” by what my friends did - so a teacher isn’t always the best.

I’m early in learning about JRB and other climbing methods, and yes it’s October, but if I use it outside of my backyard, it will only be next season after considerable practice - with bystanders, a ladder and more than one self rescue options.
 
New to the sport new to the forum & just came across this. So very sorry for the loss of a fellow hunter. Sorry for his wife & families loss.

For the sake of safety we would and do feel, a great debt of gratitude for the respect for the sport that Dane loved. I, we appreciate Jackie's ability to be composed in a attempt to share with us what she can in an effort to help us stay as safe as reasonably possible while participating in this sport.

Jackie did a podcast with Hunting roots, titled 6ft off the ground that makes me admire her even more in her helpfulness & lack of bitterness for the situation. In the podcast Jackie does her best to share what little is understood about what happened. Sorry to say that after listening I understand this situation even less.
 
Any determination of what happened? Any and all info was deleted of the JRB Facebook group and I was blocked by JRB for asking questions.

Sooo…. What happened?

JRB is on this forum. I'm not familiar with the ins-and-outs of Facebook, but a PM might be an appropriate way to reach him via this forum.

The aforementioned Hunting Roots Podcast where Dane's wife Jackie Purcell speaks on the incident said the specifics of how it played out are undetermined. Similar info was issued with a few more particulars in the article: https://www.bowhunting.com/article/hunter-dies-in-saddle-hunting-accident/


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I haven't seen updates. I don't know what JRB could possibly add, reckon he'd have to answer on that. I just know it's a darn shame and am thankful that Jackie has been willing to share what she can.
 
This one is still suspicious as to the cause, but to quote the article “Upon arriving on the scene, the hunter reported that Dane was upright in his saddle (not upside down), about 6 feet off the ground, in distress and on the brink of losing consciousness (reason unknown).” That does not sound like a stuck upside down deal and blood pooling to the brain. It also seems possible to use your legs and arms to relieve suspension trauma prior to the squirrel hunter arriving enough to survive. Maybe something in the saddle setup (belt, leg straps, or combo was too tight and led to suspension trauma).

I am NOT making light of the tragedy of this event, so take my words that follow with that in mind!

True it is a “saddle death” since it happened in a saddle, but is also the statistical equivalent of saying someone died from Covid because they tested positive when they were taken to the hospital after a bad car crash and died. Likely his weight and pre-existing health condition were major factors (again based on the picture and info in the article).

I’ve said this here previously, but I do not think anything short of ladders and box blinds are appropriate for the MAJORITY of heavier, less agile guys (yes I know there are some exceptions and there are bigger guys who are athletic and can handle it). This event only strengthens my view and just throwing this out for thought. Just because a saddle or gear can hold 250-350 lbs doesn’t mean your should climb if you are that big, but that is your call.

I hope she finds peace.
 
This one is still suspicious as to the cause, but to quote the article “Upon arriving on the scene, the hunter reported that Dane was upright in his saddle (not upside down), about 6 feet off the ground, in distress and on the brink of losing consciousness (reason unknown).” That does not sound like a stuck upside down deal and blood pooling to the brain. It also seems possible to use your legs and arms to relieve suspension trauma prior to the squirrel hunter arriving enough to survive. Maybe something in the saddle setup (belt, leg straps, or combo was too tight and led to suspension trauma).

I am NOT making light of the tragedy of this event, so take my words that follow with that in mind!

True it is a “saddle death” since it happened in a saddle, but is also the statistical equivalent of saying someone died from Covid because they tested positive when they were taken to the hospital after a bad car crash and died. Likely his weight and pre-existing health condition were major factors (again based on the picture and info in the article).

I’ve said this here previously, but I do not think anything short of ladders and box blinds are appropriate for the MAJORITY of heavier, less agile guys (yes I know there are some exceptions and there are bigger guys who are athletic and can handle it). This event only strengthens my view and just throwing this out for thought. Just because a saddle or gear can hold 250-350 lbs doesn’t mean your should climb if you are that big, but that is your call.

I hope she finds peace.

Yeah, sad deal all around. I agree, saddle hunting is not for everyone. Health/Family are way more important than any buck the wall. People still kill lots of game from the ground.
 
Any determination of what happened? Any and all info was deleted of the JRB Facebook group and I was blocked by JRB for asking questions.

Sooo…. What happened?
If you mention it at all or inquire, his followers will send you nasty emails too. I’ve gotten a few myself. None of us know what really happened, beyond the couple of obvious points that were made such as suspension trauma, the gear being used and him being overweight for his stature … Outside of that, no need to speculate.
JRB is on this forum. I'm not familiar with the ins-and-outs of Facebook, but a PM might be an appropriate way to reach him via this forum.

The aforementioned Hunting Roots Podcast where Dane's wife Jackie Purcell speaks on the incident said the specifics of how it played out are undetermined. Similar info was issued with a few more particulars in the article: https://www.bowhunting.com/article/hunter-dies-in-saddle-hunting-accident/


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I haven't seen updates. I don't know what JRB could possibly add, reckon he'd have to answer on that. I just know it's a darn shame and am thankful that Jackie has been willing to share what she can.
I reached out to his wife after the event and she said her husband had been experimenting with his climbing method and active on his Facebook group. She claimed John reached out and offered his expertise to help figure out what may have caused his death. Then all mentions, back and forth advice involving Dane was deleted from his Facebook group. No one knows what actually happened, however his condition did not cause him to go unconscious, suspension trauma caused that. It’s my understanding that the “saddle” he was practicing from was a RCH style harness that he had just received. It’s one where the leg straps pull from under and across the inner thighs which can cause blood return from the arteries to be restricted quicker than a standard saddle with a bottom strap support where the leg straps are never weighted. Add in he probably never practiced any form of self rescue, didn’t think to walk his legs upward to help alleviate pooling blood, or to create a suspension relief strap from his extra rope. And as others have mentioned, you should be healthy enough to climb trees to hunt from an elevated position. That incident was extremely sad and I wish more public details had been released to educate others. The hunt will never be worth not going home to your loved ones.
 
This one is still suspicious as to the cause, but to quote the article “Upon arriving on the scene, the hunter reported that Dane was upright in his saddle (not upside down), about 6 feet off the ground, in distress and on the brink of losing consciousness (reason unknown).” That does not sound like a stuck upside down deal and blood pooling to the brain. It also seems possible to use your legs and arms to relieve suspension trauma prior to the squirrel hunter arriving enough to survive. Maybe something in the saddle setup (belt, leg straps, or combo was too tight and led to suspension trauma).

I am NOT making light of the tragedy of this event, so take my words that follow with that in mind!

True it is a “saddle death” since it happened in a saddle, but is also the statistical equivalent of saying someone died from Covid because they tested positive when they were taken to the hospital after a bad car crash and died. Likely his weight and pre-existing health condition were major factors (again based on the picture and info in the article).

I’ve said this here previously, but I do not think anything short of ladders and box blinds are appropriate for the MAJORITY of heavier, less agile guys (yes I know there are some exceptions and there are bigger guys who are athletic and can handle it). This event only strengthens my view and just throwing this out for thought. Just because a saddle or gear can hold 250-350 lbs doesn’t mean your should climb if you are that big, but that is your call.

I hope she finds peace.
While I agree with most of (pretty much all of) what you said, more people are killed or injured from ladder stands than any other type every year in this country. In my mind physical fitness should and does play the biggest part in wanting to hunt from elevation. Another thing we need more of is actual safe climbing practices and to actually practice at home or with someone there to help before going to the woods alone.
 
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Didn't expect to see a notification that this thread was updated. Not active on Facebook so have not kept to date on the details. But around the time of the accident, his wife said he was using a Dryad saddle with the Killdeer RCH that he just got. I remember this very clearly because I was also testing out the Dryad with the RCH that came with it at the same time it happened. With the information available at that time, it kind of reinforced to me that the Killdeer was a poor minimalist RCH. That why it was believable that blood flow was cut due to the leg loops or something.

I wish we could of find out if he was in the process of climbing up or coming down. Because it didn't seem to me that the Dryad hammock was deployed, which lead me to think he was climbing up but slipped. The shock of the fall with the tightening of leg loop around his artery disoriented him enough that he couldn't do anything as consciousness slowly fade.
 
My condolences go out to his wife and loved ones.

This is an eye opener for me. I am just getting into saddle hunting. And I am as of now, just turned 66 years old. Being almost 250 lbs, I am active and can do about anything I want, but 50 pounds overweight just the same. Normally, I hunt out of ladder stands, and of course from the ground.

Saddle hunting looks fairly safe, but I won't be one sticking. I worked construction all of my life, and I know a lot about fall protection, because we had to take classes and wear fall harnesses, but we were told that if you did get suspended from the harness, you had better get rescued pretty quickly, or you were in big trouble do to the blood pooling.

If you are alone and you pass out, you're probably dead. The thought of having a heart attack or blacking out, does scare me a little, and I am a lone wolf, who would not have any help in time, if that was the case. Sobering food for thought, that's for sure.
 
My condolences go out to his wife and loved ones.

This is an eye opener for me. I am just getting into saddle hunting. And I am as of now, just turned 66 years old. Being almost 250 lbs, I am active and can do about anything I want, but 50 pounds overweight just the same. Normally, I hunt out of ladder stands, and of course from the ground.

Saddle hunting looks fairly safe, but I won't be one sticking. I worked construction all of my life, and I know a lot about fall protection, because we had to take classes and wear fall harnesses, but we were told that if you did get suspended from the harness, you had better get rescued pretty quickly, or you were in big trouble do to the blood pooling.

If you are alone and you pass out, you're probably dead. The thought of having a heart attack or blacking out, does scare me a little, and I am a lone wolf, who would not have any help in time, if that was the case. Sobering food for thought, that's for sure.
I’m no expert but can recommend that you get familiar with the dangers of static falls, such as when climbing sticks with slack. Also the ability to rappel down if you get hung up is worth considering, it’s extra rope but not that much weight. For example the New York Saddlehunters sell a safety kit with rope and descender that could get you down a tree. Don’t rush your process headed into season, make sure to get your safety options in place, good luck!
 
My question is how much of a danger is there of suspension trauma in a regular hunting saddle setup (Cruzr XC, Tethrd Phantom, Wood saddle)? Because rappelling I felt I could hang in a Tethrd phantom for quite some time, there wasn’t any pressure on the arteries of my legs but rather it would get uncomfortable on my hips and back of my legs instead. Is the risk of suspension trauma mainly to those folks running rock climbing type harness or full body fall arrests?
 
We will never know the details of what happened to Dane. But he did make one small mistake that amplified whatever accident happened: he went out to an isolated location to practice with tools and techniques he was unfamiliar with. That’s something we can all be well reminded of in this preseason. Lots of practice in safe spaces is of the greatest importance.
 
My question is how much of a danger is there of suspension trauma in a regular hunting saddle setup (Cruzr XC, Tethrd Phantom, Wood saddle)? Because rappelling I felt I could hang in a Tethrd phantom for quite some time, there wasn’t any pressure on the arteries of my legs but rather it would get uncomfortable on my hips and back of my legs instead. Is the risk of suspension trauma mainly to those folks running rock climbing type harness or full body fall arrests?
I believe if your leg straps are tight around your legs would be the only way to get suspension trauma from a saddle. Your weight would have to be down into the leg straps. I think 15 mins is enough to kill you.
 
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I’m no expert but can recommend that you get familiar with the dangers of static falls, such as when climbing sticks with slack. Also the ability to rappel down if you get hung up is worth considering, it’s extra rope but not that much weight. For example the New York Saddlehunters sell a safety kit with rope and descender that could get you down a tree. Don’t rush your process headed into season, make sure to get your safety options in place, good luck!
Always have a backup plan if things go south. A secon tether to strap to the tree, a foot loop something to upright yourself and or rappel down.
 
My question is how much of a danger is there of suspension trauma in a regular hunting saddle setup (Cruzr XC, Tethrd Phantom, Wood saddle)? Because rappelling I felt I could hang in a Tethrd phantom for quite some time, there wasn’t any pressure on the arteries of my legs but rather it would get uncomfortable on my hips and back of my legs instead. Is the risk of suspension trauma mainly to those folks running rock climbing type harness or full body fall arrests?
People have passed out just standing up for too long from blood having issues getting back to the heart……
There is always a chance of blood pooling in any harness when suspended. Typical saddles like the ones you mentioned, that don’t place the full weight to the inner thighs will take longer for that to happen simply because they are not pinching the arteries, however there is always a chance of suspension trauma occurring if you are sitting stagnant for too long… Further more if you’re able to get your feet to the tree and walk your legs up even with your chest you can prevent that from happening. Self rescue is always important. While saddles are not known to cause suspension trauma, there is always a small possibility
 
Custom Gear Modification has a little pouch on their saddles that has a suspension trauma kit in it . It is amsteel that you can girth hitch around one of the loops on your saddle and put your foot in a loop at the other end of the amsteel so you can stand up to keep the blood circulating and help prevent suspension trauma.
 
Custom Gear Modification has a little pouch on their saddles that has a suspension trauma kit in it . It is amsteel that you can girth hitch around one of the loops on your saddle and put your foot in a loop at the other end of the amsteel so you can stand up to keep the blood circulating and help prevent suspension trauma.

I'm thinking you could attach 7/64" amsteel to each bridge loop at the base of them.

Then join each of these to each other behind your back via blake's hitches (can use 2 like a fishermen's bend but an adjustable one).

These are pulled behind your back loose but not in the way (don't want them taking over the work of saddle webbing).

In a fall, you reach behind you, length this via the hitches and then use as a loop.
 
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