A fall from an elevated tree stand, even when the fall-arrest system successfully stops the descent, presents an immediate, life-threatening scenario. The initial violent impact is only the first danger; the subsequent suspension creates a physiological emergency that demands instant action. An immediate plan is paramount for survival, as your body begins a rapid decline once you are left dangling.
Activate Suspension Relief and Stabilize
The first action to take after the sudden jolt of a fall is to mitigate the danger of suspension trauma, also known as orthostatic intolerance. This condition occurs when harness leg straps exert pressure on the femoral veins, causing blood to pool in the lower extremities. As blood pools, it cannot return to the heart and lungs, leading to a rapid reduction in blood flow to the brain, or cerebral hypoxia.
The onset of unconsciousness can happen within 10 to 30 minutes, resulting in permanent organ damage or death. To prevent this, immediately deploy and use a suspension relief device, often a stirrup or strap that comes with the harness. Placing your feet in this strap allows you to stand up and take pressure off your legs, restoring circulation and enabling leg muscles to pump blood back toward the torso. If a relief strap is unavailable, continuously moving your legs by pushing off the tree or raising your knees is a mandatory, temporary substitute until rescue or self-recovery is possible.
Conduct a Rapid Self-Assessment
Once you have stabilized your position by utilizing the suspension relief strap, the next step is to conduct a systematic assessment of your physical condition. The sudden arrest of a fall, even with a harness, can cause severe trauma due to the forces involved. Spinal fractures are the most common serious injury sustained by tree stand fall victims, often involving compression and burst fractures in the thoracic and thoracolumbar spine.
While still suspended, check for sharp, localized pain in your neck, back, or head, and attempt to wiggle your fingers and toes. Any sign of numbness, tingling, or weakness in your limbs should be treated as a possible spinal cord injury, meaning you must avoid any movement that could shift your spine. Internal injuries are a substantial risk from blunt force trauma. Look for symptoms like unexpected dizziness, abdominal swelling or tightness, and clammy skin, which can indicate internal bleeding. Perform a quick “blood sweep” by running your hands over your body to check for major external bleeding that may be hidden by clothing.
Establish Emergency Communication
With physical stability addressed and a preliminary injury assessment complete, the priority shifts to alerting rescuers to your precise location. Cell phones, whistles, and two-way radios are essential signaling tools; keep them in an easily accessible pocket or pouch, even while suspended. If cell service is available, relay a brief description of your emergency and your exact coordinates, as a standard 911 call may only provide a location within a 300-meter radius based on the nearest cell tower.
For remote locations without cellular coverage, a specialized satellite device is necessary, such as a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a satellite messenger. A PLB sends a one-way distress signal and your GPS location through a powerful satellite network to search and rescue authorities, often with no subscription cost. Satellite messengers offer two-way text communication, allowing you to update rescuers on your condition and injuries, which aids in coordinating a targeted response. When transmitting coordinates, the most effective format for ground rescue teams is often Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) or latitude and longitude in degrees and decimal minutes.
Seek Professional Medical Evaluation
After the immediate crisis has passed and you are safely back on the ground or have been rescued, a professional medical evaluation is mandatory, regardless of how minor your injuries appear. The adrenaline surge following a fall can mask pain and delay the onset of symptoms for serious internal trauma. Internal bleeding, for instance, may not present noticeable symptoms for hours or days after the event, but it can quickly become life-threatening if left untreated.
A physician needs to rule out common delayed complications, including mild traumatic brain injury or concussion, and hairline fractures that are not visible externally. Given the high incidence of spinal injuries from tree stand falls, a full assessment using medical imaging is necessary to check for hidden compression or burst fractures. The physiological stress of prolonged suspension can also lead to complications after rescue, such as reperfusion injury, which requires specific medical management and monitoring.