Safety vest harness question
Equipment
Contributors to this thread:
Hey guys, I am currently using a non vest type safety harness but hate it. It's a pain untangling the thing in the morning and it seems way to big. Cabelas has a vest type on sale that includes the life line. Since I'm ordering it online I need to get the size right so I have two questions. Do any of you wear it under your winter jacket and just run the tether up the back or always over the jacket? Second I am 5ft 5 160 pounds and have a medium build frame, not skinny but not over weight. I'm torn between the Medium and large and don't want to have to send it back. Any help? Thanks
Spike, I wear mine under my winter jacket. I wear over top of lighter clothing early season and under Javier clothes later on.
I have a hunter safety system vest that I really like. I wear it outside when it's warm and under the coat in cold weather. I wear a large and it's a little big but I think that's better than too small.
Get the HSS Medium - it should accommodate your body size and weight. You can easily adjust the chest and crotch straps to be snug yet comfortable.
The key is to keep the crotch as snugged up as possible (without crossing the straps).
Beware of the "safe to use- expiration date" on the harness systems!!
Last thing I would want- an out of date safety system and I'm at height and my life is depending on it if I lose balance and fall !!
Good point Buff1. Check orange tags for date, if my memory's correct the shelf life is 5 yrs from date of manufacture.
I think milnrick has it. I am 5 8 and 158. I have the HSS medium. I wear it under my winter clothing, (I will put it over my Sikta 90% coat to keep away from body.) Puffy goes over it, and then silent windshell.
5 yr is shelf life is correct.
I have one of these:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunter-Safety-System-Ultra-Lite-Harness/2364421.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Dhunter%2Bsafety%2Bsystems
Maybe this is what you have and don't like. What I've done to avoid tangling is as I take it off, I buckle everything together so it can't get tangled. Then it is ready to go when I am. It has worked good for me.
I had one of those HS vests before the Summit harness I use now. The HS had a plastic buckle in the belt that went around the waist. The male part of the buckle broke one morning and I didn't notice it was broken until I came down out of the tree after my hunt. So basically I was sitting in the stand with no harness that morning...
Make sure the buckle on the waist belt is not plastic.
You did not ask this but you may want to do yourself a favor and look into the Rock Climbing Harness style instead. Not all agree but those who try them seem to not even consider going back. Way more comfortable and just as safe, maybe safer, in my opinion. Petzl, Black Diamond, many brands to choose from.
Thanks for the replays. I've got the vest picked out just debating between medium and large.
+1 bullshoter. I did it before I ever knew it was "a thing". Never looked back.
At a minimum don't even consider something without a good lineman's belt option. Not only does it make hanging stands exponentially safer, it makes it easier too.
Also needing to replace safety harness. Willing to consider rock climbing harness, but no experience with them. What makes, models, and features would be recommended? Mark
Blackbear I use a petzl Pandion. I threaded two inch webbing around the back of it and then ran 1 inch webbing with loops on each end to have loops to attach a linemans belt for hanging a stand. One thing that many hunters don't realize is that a rock climbing harness is designed to "sit" in and not only emergency purposes. If i'm 20 feet up in my climber and want to go above a limb, I just step out and hang, reposition my stand and get back in. I can't believe it took me so long to start using one. There are a lot of youtube videos on the use of them for hunting. Check out the DIY sportsman.
Question regarding safety a harness ?
If I have never fallen in it, i.e. not putting any stress on it due to fall. I do not leave it outside year round so no deterioration due to UV, why would I need to replace my harness every 5 years or whenever ? Same with my braided nylon lifeline along with my line-mans rope ?
Perhaps I am over looking safety issue's. Should I be concerned ?
Buc..... I'm Guessing it's a manufacture's insurance out. Some of those harnesses are real heavy duty.
Did some research, weighed ideas from this post; and just ordered a rock climbing harness. Thanks guys. Mark. Oh yah chose a black diamond various speed harness.