Valley hunter died from asphyxiation

[Woody Williams]

This is so sad..

Prayers of comfort for the family.

Folks,

My sincerest suggestion - Cut up and throw away the shoulder harnesses and "safety belts" (do NOT even give them away) and get a good FULL BODY harness.

Your life could very well depend on it..


http://www.tribstar.com/articles/2005/1 ... e/lb02.txt


Officer: Valley hunter died from asphyxiation

Preliminary cause of death shows a Wabash Valley man who was found hanging from a tree stand Saturday died from asphyxiation, said Max Winchell, Indiana State Conservation public information officer.

Timothy J. Simonton, 42, who had recently moved to the area, was hunting in Clay County woods with his stepson when he fell out of his tree stand. The two were about two miles west of Indiana 59 on County Road 1500N. When Simonton did not show at a designated meeting time, his stepson went looking for him.

Investigators did not find signs of a struggle, so conservation officers do not know if Simonton passed out from a medical condition before he fell, Winchell said.

Alcohol was not a factor, he said.

Simonton was wearing a shoulder safety harness, which is fastened below the arms and around the chest and had about five feet of safety rope above him, Winchell said.

[A.W]

I'm trying to picture how this style of safety harness could stop you from breathing. Anyone understand this enough to explain it in detail?

Belt is tight around the chest thereby preventing the chest from expanding while inhaling air. Much like a boa constrictor kills it's food.

[Adam]

my safety belt is made from an old seatbelt, i push the button and im out of it

[A.W]

I've had to use this quick release before over the years.

Bob. Ever consider puting velcro on your but to stay in your seat?

[Hoss]

A hunter should always carry a knife and in a handy location that can be accessed when in need....Every mountain climber that deals with ropes and climbin do..I did..for that very reason if you get hung up in some rope you just pull out your knife and cut away..He was unprepared..all do respect intended..

[Hi5]

my safety belt is made from an old seatbelt, i push the button and im out of it

You might not be able to do that with your weight on the system. The seatbelt buckle may be locked so tight with your weight on it that it can't be unbuckled. People have drowned in overturned vehicles because they couldn't get out of their seatbelt.

It would be wise to test yours.

[Woodsman]

bstout, is that deer attractant in a can? Must be that new "Curiuosity Scent." The deer coming into the scent is wondering "What's that funky smell?"

[Adam]

thanks alot Hi5 ill give it a try a foot off the ground. im always hunting with someone else in a tree stand anyways. better to be sure than not.

[LoneWolf]

Both scent and sound.

Hey a natural grunt call!...

Dunno about the scent part though... PU...

[blackops]

Hello everyone, I'm Timothy Simonton's daughter. I was there on the property and found him hanging there. I seen how the harness was around his neck. Before he left the camper, he was all suited up to go hunt. He had the harness on just like every other time, plus he had put up the treestand just like the other times too. When he got on the treestand, the pin in the treestand broke as soon as he step foot on the stand. As that happened the harness ripped in half in the back and caught right under his neck and killed him instantly. I wanted to let everyone know exactly what happened and to be careful when using treestands and harnesses. Years before the accident, that type of treestand and harness was recalled and resold without anybody knowing it. Not only did my dad die, others have died from the same brand of treestand and harness. They just renamed the treestand and harness.

[vixenmaster]

I am sorry to hear of yer Father dying in that manner usin that type of Harness.

[robertyb]

Hello everyone, I'm Timothy Simonton's daughter. I was there on the property and found him hanging there. I seen how the harness was around his neck. Before he left the camper, he was all suited up to go hunt. He had the harness on just like every other time, plus he had put up the treestand just like the other times too. When he got on the treestand, the pin in the treestand broke as soon as he step foot on the stand. As that happened the harness ripped in half in the back and caught right under his neck and killed him instantly. I wanted to let everyone know exactly what happened and to be careful when using treestands and harnesses. Years before the accident, that type of treestand and harness was recalled and resold without anybody knowing it. Not only did my dad die, others have died from the same brand of treestand and harness. They just renamed the treestand and harness.

Sorry to hear about this. Please tell us what brand of treestand and harness he was using.

[Deerstalker]

Everyone needs to use a (relaible), safety harness when climbing. This is an example of what can happen when you do NOT use one and I was very LUCKY!! I fell out of a 16' tree stand when I did NOT use a safety harness.

[colouredchameleon]

One of these harnesses is in my plans for this year.

http://www.basspro.com/Mountaineer-Spor ... /10207487/

[robertyb]

One of these harnesses is in my plans for this year.

http://www.basspro.com/Mountaineer-Spor ... /10207487/

I use one most of the time. A tad on the heavy side and a little uncomfortable to wear but when hunting alone as I usually do I know I can get back on the ground if I should fall. The only times I do not use it is when I am walking a mile or so to get to my stand site. I use my SOP harness cause of the weight difference then.