The recent discussions on safety have made me reflect on my hunting history. I started bowhunting in 2003. I can tell you the very first time I ascended/decended a tree and was connected to the tree 100% of the time, was October 2017. You read that right, a couple of months ago. And only because of switching to a saddle system.
I personally am ok with taking the safety overkill approach. I spent just over a year soaking up as much saddle info as I could. As well as learning the many of the aspects of DIY (knots, sewing, splicing, etc). As an individual who just completed my first season of hunting from a saddle, I feel the excessive safety factor my equipment gave me some needed confidence in a system that was very different from what I was used to (hang ons and climbers).
I see more benefit to urging overkill, especially for newcomers. Explaining to people how overkill the equipment is can have the benefit of easing safety concerns for those who have not tried. From there, as comfort and knowledge increase, people are free to adjust as they see fit and evaluate risk as they choose. My 2 pennies...
I personally am ok with taking the safety overkill approach. I spent just over a year soaking up as much saddle info as I could. As well as learning the many of the aspects of DIY (knots, sewing, splicing, etc). As an individual who just completed my first season of hunting from a saddle, I feel the excessive safety factor my equipment gave me some needed confidence in a system that was very different from what I was used to (hang ons and climbers).
I see more benefit to urging overkill, especially for newcomers. Explaining to people how overkill the equipment is can have the benefit of easing safety concerns for those who have not tried. From there, as comfort and knowledge increase, people are free to adjust as they see fit and evaluate risk as they choose. My 2 pennies...