Yikes Bluecollar!! I'm glad you were using fall restraint. Also glad you didn't suffer any substantial injuries or pain from the fall arrest. I've always wondered what types of injuries could happen from even the shortest of falls. We are in trees with guns or broad heads, and we have sticks or steps and other metal objects to get ripped-open on. Then there is always the scary thought of having testicles smashed by the leg straps.
One thing that is seldom discussed, and a lot of hunters have never even heard of, is suspension trauma. Having the harness save you from the fall is only half the battle. You MUST be able to get back on the steps (or platform) asap. It's a fallacy to believe that you can hang in a safety harness with feet dangling for an extended time (until help comes). Suspension trauma is a very real threat and it can kill you. Legs hanging with no muscle tension allows blood to pool in the legs and it will eventually kill you, and it doesn't take very long to happen. Even after rescuing someone that has been suspended has severe risks when blood then rushes back from the legs. Do not remain suspended in a harness!!
My chain conversions have served me well. I've had no issues with the strength of the chain or the carabiners that I chose. But if anyone has the slightest doubt about using a carabiner (in order to allow leveling of the stand), then go with just chain and no beener...the stand won't be adjustable without tools, but quality chain is still better than cables.
Amsteel rope (AKA Dyneema rope) is another option for replacing cables. Amsteel is used to replace steel cable in winches, so it's extremely strong. If I remember correctly, 1/4" Amsteel has something like a 7,500 lb break strength. There are some very easy-to-make splices for Amsteel that will allow it to be adjusted safely in order to level stands. My only question about using Amsteel is, will varmints ever chew it? I've used Amsteel on sticks and never had squirrel damage, so take that for what it's worth.
All that being said, I will admit that, for 90% of my tree sits, I've changed my method from a traditional platform to a tree saddle. Saddles, when properly used, are the safest way to be elevated. They also allow for a greater variety of tree selection. The older generation of saddles (Trophy Line brand) IMO, left a lot to be desired. They were uncomfortable, bulky to wear and terrible to walk in. But there are newer designs on the market that are much more user-friendly, comfortable and wearing while walking is a non-issue. I am in the midst of my 1st, fully-dedicated season of saddle hunting and I am absolutely sold on them. There is a bit of a learning curve and practice needed to develop a system, but once those are accomplished, a saddle is comfortable, extremely mobile, and very safe. With a saddle, your stand will never be stollen or hunted by unauthorized hunters. Nobody will realize your stand locations, ether.
And saddles beat the crap out of climbers...hands down.
Saddles can also be used while hunting from traditional platforms or ladders. They allow 360 degree shooting in many cases because of mobility around the tree.
But one of my favorite uses for saddles is for just hanging stands. Setting a stand while attached to the tree via a tether is MUCH easier that doing it with a lineman belt.
There's a lot of info out there about saddles. There is a forum dedicated to saddles and also quite a few Youtube vids on the entire subject.
No matter what type of platform I use, I will always be in a saddle as opposed to an old school harness.
one on again.
