Quick Answer
If you experience a fall while hunting, assess the situation quickly and prioritize your safety. If you're in a treestand, check your safety harness for secure attachment and use your fall protection system if you have one. Otherwise, slowly and carefully extricate yourself from the treestand.
Assessing the Situation
When you fall, the initial seconds are crucial. Stay calm, assess your injuries, and evaluate the severity of your situation. If you’re alone, call for emergency services or alert others in your party using a two-way radio or cell phone. If you’re in a group, assign someone to call for help while you focus on stabilizing your injuries.
Using Your Fall Protection System
If you have a fall protection system, such as a safety harness, immediately engage it to prevent further injury. Make sure the harness is securely attached to the treestand or a sturdy anchor point. If you’re unsure how to use your fall protection system, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or seek guidance from a qualified instructor.
Self-Rescue and Extraction
If you’re unable to use your fall protection system or if you’re not attached to one, prioritize self-rescue and extraction. Slowly and carefully climb down from the treestand, using three points of contact (two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand) to maintain stability. If you’re unable to climb down, wait for assistance from others or emergency responders.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.