Mitigating Suspension Trauma

In the event of a fall or accident where you cannot access your hunting platform or climbing sticks for support, you can use your lineman belt or tether as a suspension relief device. A suspension relief device must be readily available while saddle hunting. It helps relieve the weight put on the lower extremities if suspended in a harness, maintains leg circulation, mitigates suspension trauma (blood pooling), and assists you in descending to the ground.

1. Using either your lineman belt or tether rope, pass the free end of the rope through the looped end or through a carabiner to wrap the rope around the tree. See Figure 9.1 below.
2. Pull the rope tight and adjust the prusik loop or knot so it is about 3 to 5 inches below the girth hitch. See Figure 9.2 below.
3. With the remaining hanging rope, tie an overhand knot into the rope but do not pull it tight. Make sure you are leaving enough room in the rope between the knot and the girth hitch so that it fits your foot once secured. See Figure 9.3 below.
4. Clip the overhand knot into the hanging carabiner and tighten the rope on each end of the carabiner to secure it. See Figures 9.4 and 9.5 below.
5. You can now step into the created loop and stand up for suspension relief as you wait for help. See Figure 9.6 below.