Hunter Safety System HSS-320 Quick guide

Instruction and Safe Use Manual
Hunter Safety System HSS-320 harness with lineman’s
climbing strap and suspension relief/deer drag
WARNING! Read, watch, understand and follow all written
and DVD instructions prior to using any part of this product.
Failure to read, watch, understand and follow this information
could result in not being able to return to the stand and being
suspended in the harness after a fall and can cause serious
injury or death! Call HSS at 1-877-296-3528 and speak to an
HSS representative BEFORE using your vest/harness or any
portion of this package if there is ANYTHING about these
products or instructions you do not understand! If you call
after hours or when a company representative is not available,
do not use this product until you speak to an HSS
representative whoclarifiesanythingyoudon’tunderstand.
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Table of Contents
ProductWarningsandRegistrationinformation………….…...Page1,2
HarnessParts,HarnessComponents,HarnessPhoto…………Page3
AdjustingyourHunterSafetySystemvest/harness…………...Page4
Attachingyourharnesstothetree……………………………..Page4
UsingtheSuspensionRelief/DeerDragStrap…………………Page5
UsingtheLineman’sClimbingStrap…………………………..Page6
Usewithvarioustreestandstyles………………………………Page7
Usingtheelasticshoulderstraps……………………………….Page7
Overallsafeuseinstructions…………….……………...………Page8,9,10
WARNING!
Read, watch, understand and follow all written and DVD instructions before
using any HSS product! Failure to do so could cause serious injury or death!
If there is ANYTHING about these products, their safe usage or the
instructions you do not understand or are uncertain about, call
877-296-3528 and speak to an HSS representative BEFORE using it!
Although Hunter Safety System, Inc. (HSS) is dedicated to manufacturing only the
safest hunting equipment possible, this goal cannot succeed without the aid of our
customers. Common sense in the use and understanding of this product is absolutely
necessary.
Important/caution: Safety and using safe hunting practices are the most important
elements of the hunting experience and are your responsibility.
A warranty registration form is included with your HSS Vest/Harness. Please fill out the infor-
mation requested in its entirety and return it to HSS, Inc. 8237 Danville Rd., Danville, Al.
35619. This warranty form must be signed and dated in order for the warranty to be in force.
Your signature also acknowledges that you have read and understand the instructions and
warnings contained within this booklet and that you recognize their importance
Page 1

Page 2
WARNING!!!
Below are identified critical issues regarding the use of HSS products and/or
hunting from an elevated position!
1. WARNING! Anytimethelineman’sclimbingstrapisusedtoascendordescendatree,youMUSTstay
doublyconnectedwiththeuseofthelineman’sclimbingstrapANDthesecondarytreestrap.Follow all
lineman’sclimbingstrapsafeuseinstructionsasdetailedintheseinstructions.
2 Warning! In the event of a fall, DO NOT PANIC! Put your practiced self recovery plan into action, ie
suspension relief, self recovery, or other means of rescue.
3. WARNING! NEVER drag an animal or weight that may cause injury to your back, legs, bones or
muscles. If you are presently or have ever experienced problems with these areas, DO NOT use the HSS
harness and deer drag strap to drag anything!
4. WARNING! For additional safety while climbing with the LCS, the tree strap and the
harness’stetherMUSTbeattachedtothetreefordoubleconnection.Attachingthissecondary
connection must take place before leaving the ground.
5. WARNING! Slide the tether and tree strap upward as you ascend or downward as you descend with the
lineman’sclimbingstrap,stayingdoublyconnected.Failuretodosocouldcauseseriousinjuryordeath
should a fall occur!
6. Warning! Anytime the tether is not attached to the tree, your HSS harness is not considered a fall restraint
device!
7. Warning! Only while advancing above or below a limb or treestand should either the tree strap or
lineman’sclimbingstrapbetemporarilyremoved.
8. Warning! If there is ANYTHING about this or any Hunter Safety System product or its instructions that
you do not understand, call 1-877-296-3528 and speak to an HSS representative BEFORE using it!
9. Warning!.Anytimetheharness’stetherisnotattachedtothetreeaspertheHSSlineman’sclimbing
strapinstructions,theHSSharness,whenusedwiththeHSSlineman’sclimbingstrap,shouldbe
considered a climbing aid only and NOT a fall restraint device.
10. Warning! If your harness model has elastic binocular straps, DO NOT ascend or descend a tree while
wearing anything attached to these elastic straps or when the straps are adjusted out with slack that may
catch or hang onto limbs, steps or other protruding objects. Doing so may cause a fall resulting in serious
injury or death.
11. Warning! NEVER exceed the total weight limit (yourself and gear) specified for the particular model
harness you are using.
12. Warning! DO NOT use this product or hunt from an elevated platform while using drugs of any type
without approval from your personal physician-or after the consumption of any amount of alcohol. These
items can impair your balance, judgment and ability to safely hunt from an elevated position.
13. Warning! DO NOT modify, repair, alter, or cut this product in any way. Doing so may cause serious
injury or death.
14. Warning! DO NOT use this product or hunt from an elevated platform unless you are well rested and
alert, or if you have in the past or are presently experiencing any back or heart problems or medical
condition that could cause a problem while above ground level. You MUST be physically and mentally
abletorecovertothestand’splatformorgroundintheeventofafall.
15. Warning! Never hunt from an elevated position during inclement weather such as rain, lightning, high
wind or icy conditions. Always end your hunt and return to the ground immediately if inclement weather
conditions arise.
16. Warning! The suspension relief/ deer drag loop located on the lower, rear portion of the harness is to be
used as a deer drag or suspension relief capabilities ONLY. This should NEVER be used to attach or
secure yourself to the tree.
17. Warning! Inspect belts, buckles and tree straps prior to each use. Do not use this harness if any of
these components are not working properly aredamaged or show signs of wear.
18. Warning! If you have purchased this harness in a sealed package with all instructions, warnings and items
listed in this instructional booklet, the harness must be removed from service five years from the
date of purchase. (Be sure to keep your proof of purchase) If you have purchased or obtained this harness
as a previously used harness, it must be removed from service five years from the date of manufacture.
This date is printed on the tether label.
19. Warning! Neverwraptheharness’stetheraroundoracrossyourneckorunderyourarms.

Examine all components before using your Hunter Safety
System vest/harness.
The HSS harness contains the following items: Instruction and safe use booklet,
instructional DVD, a 1-7/8inchwidelineman’sclimbingstrap,a1-7/8 inch wide
tree strap, 1-inch wide suspension relief strap that can double as a deer drag, and a
vest/harness.
Although every component has been examined for quality compliance by HSS, all
components must be examined by the user before each use to assure there is no
damage or wear etc. Call 1-877-296-3528 and speak to an HSS representative be-
fore use if any of the above contents are missing.
NOTE: You may have purchased a model other than the one pictured below.
Certain options shown may vary with models; however, essential safety items
will be the same.
Page 3

ADJUSTING YOUR HUNTER SAFETY SYSTEM
1. Put the HSS harness on and securely fasten the waist buckle together. Listen for a secure,
complete snap that indicates it is locked in place. Grab each side of the buckle and pull
sharplytomakecertainit’slockedandsecure.Examinethebuckletoensureitisproperly
locked and secured. WARNING! This buckle must be used whenever the harness is worn.
2. Warning! Never rely on the zipper to hold should a fall occur. You MUST use all buckles.
3. Locate the adjustable slide bar that is attached to the waist strap. This thin, metal adjustment
slide-bar connects to the waist buckle found at the middle of your torso. (Figure 1)
4. Move the adjustable slide bar forward or back to adjust the harness comfortably snug to
your body. Large adjustments are more easily made while not wearing the safety system. To
make a large adjustment, place the harness on a flat surface, locate the adjustable slide bar,
and move it as needed. Make sure all straps are repositioned in place and not twisted after
making any adjustments. This can usually be accomplished by picking the vest up by the
waist buckle and shaking the vest or pulling outward on the buckle ends.
5. Release each leg strap buckle, bring them between your legs, and securely snap them in
place putting the left strap to the left leg buckle and right strap to the right leg buckle. Listen
for a secure and complete snap indicating they are locked in place. Grab both sides of each
buckle and pull sharply to make certain they are locked and secure with no clothing caught
in the buckle. WARNING! Both leg buckles must be used whenever the harness is worn.
6. Adjust each leg strap length making the webbing comfortably snug to the leg.
ATTACHING YOUR HARNESS TO THE TREE
1. Wrap the tree strap around the tree and bring the loose end through the loop located at the
endoftheharness’stether.(Thetetheristhestrapthatextendsoutfromtherearofthe
harnessneckline.)Properlyweavethetreestrap’swebbingandbuckleasfollows:Withthe
bent“sides”up,threadthetreestrapendfromthebacksidebetweenthesewnportionofthe
tree strap and the knurled slide bar. Bring the tree strap over the knurled slide bar and insert
the tree strap between the knurled slide bar and the end of the buckle. (Figure 2) Pull tight to
the tree and test attachment by pulling sharply on the tether and tree strap connection
makingsureit’ssecuredtighttothetree.Aftersecuringtothetree,theremustbeatleast
8-inches of slack webbing beyond the buckle.
2. Locate the trees strap at a height that allows for no slack in the tether while in the sitting
position. (Figure 3)This is often at or just above head height while standing on the treestand.
3. WARNING! Always carry the tree strap and suspension relief strap in a pocket, mesh bag
or the HSS accessory Tactical Bags when traveling. Never keep them attached to the
harnessuntilthey’reusedfortheirintendedpurpose.Allmodelswithoutpocketscome
standard with a mesh bag that is to be used for carrying and/or storing the tree strap and
suspension relief strap. You MUST keep this bag in a location on your person that will
allow quick and easy access to the suspension relief strap should a fall occur.
4. Toattachthemeshbagtotheharness,bringthebag’scordaroundandovertheharness’s
side webbing and thread the bag through the looped end of the cord.
Figure 1.
Locate harness adjustment under
left pocket & above leg buckle.
Figure 2
Page 4
1.Withthebuckle’sbent
sides upward, thread the
tree strap end up from the
bottom between the sewn
portion of the tree strap
and knurled slide bar.
2. Move the webbing over
the knurled slide bar
and…
3. Insert the tree strap
down between the knurled
slide bar and the end of the