I know

it's a saltwater fishing forum....but...all of us that deer hunt out of stands...wear a safety harness...I know of six that have fallen in Mississippi this year...today it was my 60 year old business partner...he is in surgery now...they don't think they can save his right foot it is crushed so bad...multiple compound fractures in the ankle and above the ankle...15 foot fall...
Off my soapbox ...

You don't have to apologize. That's exactly what the off topic forum is for. +1 on safety harnesses. Senseless accidents.

Doesn't sound like you're on a soapbox. Thanks for taking the time to try to remind folks to be safe. I hope your friend makes a full recovery.

the only rule we have in deer camp is no elevated hunting without a fall restraint. I, personally, have had my harness save me twice.

My fall was while I was trimming tree limbs and I only fell about 10 feet. Fall not so bad but the landing was terrible. I broke my Pelvis and even worse broke my acetabula (cup that serves as a socket). Two weeks in hospital in traction and surgery. followed by four months at home in a hospital bed with brief periods up in a wheel chair. Then wheel chair bound for two more months then a walker for three more months, Now I am good friends with a walking cane. I used to enjoy stalk hunting but gave it up and care nothing about sitting in a stand. Thank God for fishing because it is now my number one outdoor love. I also have an artificial radius, steel rod in my humerus, and metal plate screwed to my ulna thanks to another fall that destroyed my left arm. I definitely prefer spinning reel due to left arm weakness. Count your blessings with every fish you catch. I also am on my third pacemaker which has enabled me to keep fishing and enjoying life and my grandchildren.