HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base

If you take a tumble, don’t panic—your fall arrest system will hold you. Follow these steps to recover from the fall:

1. Signal for help. If hunting with a friend, they should assist you to get back in the stand or on the ground.
2. Recover and climb back on the platform as quickly as possible.
3. If you cannot get back on the platform or on the ground quickly, take action to avoid suspension trauma. Your FAS should have a suspension relief strap suspended below your feet. Step into the loop and stand up to relieve the pressure and to keep your blood circulating through your legs while you work to relieve yourself or wait for rescue.

Wise Words: How to Keep Your Legs

Make sure your full body harness has a suspension relief strap. If you fall without one, you’ll have to raise your knees and pump your legs to keep the blood moving through your body. Then you must try to get out of the harness as quickly as possible… or risk losing your legs.