Section 2 - Harness Suspension / Use Of Suspension Relief Strap; Use Of The Suspension Relief Strap - Summit Treestands Summit Instruction Booklet

Section 2 - Harness Suspension / Use of Suspension
Relief Strap:
It is necessary and very important that someone knows
your hunting location and time of return. It is also very
important that you carry (on your person) emergency
communication devices such as a cell phone, two-way radio,
whistle, signal flare or preferably a PLD (Personal Locator
Device - FCC approved July, '03). When triggered, a PLD
will transmit an emergency signal to local rescue teams
identifying your location via satellite GPS coordinates.
PLD's may be purchased at Wilderness outfitters or on the
internet.
Suspension trauma or blood pooling can occur when
suspended motionless in a harness for periods of time. This
can lead to unconsciousness and death.
WARNING
!
If you have to hang in the tree before help arrives,
you need to exercise your legs by pushing off from
the tree or by using the attached suspension relief
strap.

Use of the Suspension Relief Strap:

Warning!
This Suspension Relief Strap MUST be on your person and
accessable while using your harness!!! The steps below
assume you are hanging by your tether line after a fall.
Step 1. Retrieve the Suspension Relief Strap (SRS) from
the storage pouch on the side of the harness. See Figure 26.
Step 2. Tie one end of the SRS to one of the Climbing Strap
loops sewn into each side of the harness belt. See Figure 27
position A.
Step 3. Tie the other end of the SRS to the opposite harness
belt loop as show in Figure 27 position B. Adjust the SRS
so the large loop it forms is just above the ankles - Figure
28.
Step 4. Put both feet in the loop and stand up to relieve
the pressure from the harness leg straps. See Figure 29
and Figure 30. NOTE: Readjust the length of the loop if
considerable pressure is still felt on the leg straps.
Self extraction may be necessary in the unfortunate situation
that A) No one knows your location, B) Your communication
efforts are exhausted, C) You are confident that you have
the strength, dexterity and ability to perform self-extraction
and D) You decide this is your "absolute last resort". It is
necessary to carry a device to assist with this self-extraction.
Simple devices such as screw-in steps or a rope "Tree
Descender" (available from Summit) will allow you to
remove the weight from your harness. This may enable you
to return to the treestand/ladder/climbing steps or slowly
descend the tree.
WARNING
!
Prolonged harness suspension may be fatal. If
rescue personnel cannot be notified, you must
have a plan to recover / escape before hunting.
PAGE 6
Figure 26
A
Figure 27
Figure 28
Figure 29
B
Figure 30