Summit Treestands SOP STS Series User manual

• WHEN HUNTING FROM A TREESTAND FALLS CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH CAN OCCUR ANY TIME AFTER LEAVING THE GROUND!
FOR THOSE REASONS ALWAYS USE A FALL ARREST SYSTEM (FAS) COMPRISING A FULL BODY HARNESS AT ALL TIMES AFTER LEAVING THE
GROUND. YOU MUST STAY CONNECTED AT ALL TIMES AFTER LEAVING THE GROUND WHILE USING ANY ELEVATED HUNTING PLATFORM.
SINGLE SAFETY BELTS AND CHEST HARNESSES ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED AND SHOULD NEVER BE USED. IF YOU ARE NOT USING A FULL
BODY HARNESS THAT IS PROTECTING YOU FROM A FALL, DO NOT LEAVE THE GROUND!
• READ AND UNDERSTAND THE MANUFACTURER’S WARNINGS, EXPIRATION DATE AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO USE AND HOW TO
PROPERLY ADJUST THE HARNESS.
• PRACTICE THE USE OF A FULL BODY HARNESS AT GROUND LEVEL IN THE PRESENCE OF A RESPONSIBLE ADULT TO EXPERIENCE THE
FEELING OF HANGING SUSPENDED BEFORE USING IN A HUNTING ENVIRONMENT.
• THE LENGTH OF THE HARNESS TETHER MUST BE MINIMIZED AT ALL TIMES. IT SHOULD BE ADJUSTED SO THAT IT IS ABOVE THE HEAD
WITH NO SLACK (SNUG) IN THE SITTING POSITION AND YOU SHOULD HAVE THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF SLACK POSSIBLE WHEN
CLIMBING.
• NEVER ALLOW THE TETHER ROPE TO GET UNDER YOUR CHIN OR AROUND YOUR NECK!
• FAILURE TO FOLLOW HARNESS INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO RETURN TO THE STAND AND BEING
SUSPENDED IN A HARNESS AFTER A FALL. IF THE HUNTING LOCATION IS UNKNOWN BY ANYONE AND COMMUNICATION EFFORTS ARE
UNSUCCESSFUL, YOU MUST HAVE A PERSONAL PLAN FOR RECOVERY/ESCAPE BECAUSE PROLONGED SUSPENSION IN A HARNESS CAN
BE FATAL. IT IS IMPORTANT TO EXERCISE THE LEGS BY TRYING TO RAISE YOUR KNEES TO YOUR CHEST OR DOING OTHER FORMS OF
CONTINUOUS LEG EXERCISES TO AVOID BLOOD POOLING WHILE BEING SUSPENDED. HUNTERS WITH VARYING DEGREES OF PHYSICAL
FITNESS MAY REQUIRE DIFFERENT PLANS TO RECOVER/ESCAPE THE EFFECTS OF PROLONGED SUSPENSION. HAVE A PERSONAL PLAN AND
PRACTICE IT IN THE PRESENCE OF A RESPONSIBLE ADULT BEFORE LEAVING THE GROUND. NO ONE ESCAPE/RESCUE PLAN WILL WORK
FOR EVERY HUNTER ON EVERY TREE IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE. ONLY YOU CAN DETERMINE THE BEST RECOVERY/ESCAPE PLAN FOR
YOUR HUNTING SITUATION AND YOU MUST HAVE A RECOVERY/ESCAPE PLAN FOR YOUR SITUATION BEFORE LEAVING THE GROUND.
• HUNT FROM THE GROUND WHEN SELF-RECOVERY/ESCAPE ABILITY IS ABSENT.
• A SUSPENSION RELIEF DEVICE MUST BE ON YOUR PERSON AND READILY ACCESSIBLE WHILE USING A HARNESS. THIS DEVICE WILL
ALLOW THE USER TO RELIEVE THE LOAD ON THE LOWER EXTREMITIES IF SUSPENDED IN A HARNESS TO HELP MAINTAIN CIRCULATION
IN THE LEGS AND PREVENT SUSPENSION TRAUMA (BLOOD POOLING). BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER’S DIRECTIONS ON THE
SAFE USE OF ANY SUSPENSION RELIEF DEVICE.
• IN THE EVENT OF A FALL - DO NOT PANIC!! - THERE IS TIME TO MAKE A CORRECT DECISION ON WHAT ACTION TO TAKE IF A FALL
OCCURS WHILE USING A FULL BODY HARNESS. REMAIN CALM AND IMPLEMENT YOUR PRACTICED RESCUE, RELIEF AND RECOVERY
PLAN.
WARNING
!
You must fully read, understand and follow these warnings
and instructions (written and video)! Failure to follow these
instructions may cause serious injury or death!!
FORM# 18046, 2/13
You MUST also view the enclosed DVD
BEFORE using your new treestand!!
HARNESS WEIGHT LIMITS
300 LBS. TOTAL*
SOP STS FastBack
(all models / sizes) 83073, 83074, 83075
SOP STS Pro
(all models / sizes) 83076, 83077
SOP STS Deluxe
(all models / sizes) 83078, 83079
DO NOT EXCEED THIS LIMIT!
(* Includes all gear)
1 INDEX
GENERAL WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, WEIGHT LIMITS PG 1
SECTION 1 - INDEX PG 1
SECTION 2 - CONTENTS PG 2
SECTION 3 - HARNESS REPLACEMENT PG 2
SECTION 4 - HARNESS FEATURES PG 3
SECTION 5 - LIMITED WARRANTY PG 3
SECTION 6 - USE PG 4 - 6
SECTION 7 - LINEMAN’S BELT PG 7
SECTION 8 - SUSPENSION RELIEF PG 7 - 8
© 2013 Summit Treestands, LLC
715A Summit Dr. Decatur, AL 35601
[phone]
[email protected]
SOP - STS Series
Harness Instructions

YOU MUST REPLACE YOUR SAFETY ROPE / HARNESS UNDER
ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES:
• AFTER 5 (FIVE) YEARS FROM MANUFACTURE DATE (LOCATED ON
HARNESS WARNING LABEL).
• THE SAFETY ROPE / HARNESS HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO SEVERE
SHOCK LOADING.
• THE SAFETY ROPE / HARNESS HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO THE KIND OF OVERLOAD FOR WHICH IT WAS NOT DESIGNED, SUCH
AS TOWING A VEHICLE.
• THE SAFETY ROPE / HARNESS SHOWS SIGNS OF FRAYING FROM SUBSTANTIAL USE OR THE SAFETY ROPE / PRUSIK HITCH
HAS BEEN LEFT IN THE WEATHER AND HAS BECOME HARD OR STIFF.
• THE SAFETY ROPE / HARNESS WAS USED IN PREVENTING A FALL.
PG 2
2 CONTENTS
3 HARNESS REPLACEMENT
Please call 256-353-0634 or visit http://www.summitstands.com/contactus/
if you have any questions, if you need replacement parts, if you have any missing parts or if the
included DVD does not play.
www.summitstands.com
• 4 POINT SAFETY HARNESS 1
- INCLUDES ATTACHED SRS STRAP / POUCH
• TREESTAND SAFETY ROPE WITH ATTACHED PRUSIK HITCH 1
• LOCKING CARABINER / SAFETY CLIP 1
• LINEMAN’S BELT CLIP 1
• WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS 1
VIDEO FOOTAGE ON SOP HARNESS AND LINEMAN’S BELT USE IS CONTAINED ON THE INCLUDED INSTRUCTIONAL DVD.
WARNING
!
If you fall, you must replace the harness by
contacting Summit Treestands, LLC.
This harness has been designed to be used only as a
safety device for hunting from elevated treestands
and ladder stands. Any other use is PROHIBITED!
WARNING
!
MAKE SURE YOUR PRUSIK HITCH LOOKS LIKE THIS PICTURE BEFORE USING!
NEVER USE unless your Prusik hitch has 6 (six) loops!
NEVER USE unless your Prusik hitch has a 1.5” long tails (minimum) beyond the knot end!
ALWAYS Pull on the knot end of the Prusik hitch and make sure it locks to the safety rope.
NEVER USE your harness unless your Prusik hitch looks like the one pictured here. In addition,
ALWAYS MAKE SURE the hitch locks to the safety rope when you pull on the knot end.
1.5” Tail Minimum
1
2
3
4
5
6
Safety Rope
Prusik Hitch
Knot End

PG 3
4 HARNESS FEATURES
BOW CLIP
BUNGEE
ACCESSORY
DUMMY LINE
ELASTIC
BANDOLEER
AMMO
HOLDERS
CHEST
STRAP
WEBBING
LOOPS
LINEMAN’S
HOOKUP
LINEMAN’S
HOOKUP
SILENT,
RUBBER
COATED
BUCKLES
LARGE REAR STORAGE POUCH -
PRO MODEL ONLY
DELUXE MODEL EQUIPPED WITH
TWO SIDE STORAGE POUCHES.
SHOCK
REDUCING
TETHER
MESH
LOWER
BACK
HIGH STRENGTH, CLIMBING
GRADE ALUMINUM
CARABINER
SAFETY
ROPE WITH
PRUSIK
HITCH
LINEMAN’S CLIP FOR
CONVERTING ROPE
TO LINEMAN’S BELT
(A) Warranty
Summit Treestands, LLC (Summit) warrants to the original retail purchaser that all
products manufactured by it are free from defects in material and manufacture at the
time of shipment for sixty (60) months from the date of purchase. Summit will replace
any part found defective if the unit claimed to be defective shall be returned to Summit,
postage prepaid, within the warranty period.
This warranty shall not apply to any product which has been subjected to misuse;
misapplication; neglect (including but not limited to improper maintenance); accident;
improper installation; modification (including but not limited to use of unauthorized
parts or attachments); adjustment or repair. THE FOREGOING IS IN LIEU OF ALL
OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING THOSE OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS OF ANY PRODUCT FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE), AND
OF ANY OTHER OBLIGATION OF LIABILITY ON THE PART OF THE COMPANY.
(B) Limitation of Liability
It is expressly understood that Summit’s liability for its products, whether due to
breach of warranty, negligence, strict liability, or otherwise, is limited to the repair of
the product, as stated above, and Summit will not be liable for any other injury, loss,
damage, or expense, whether direct or consequential, including but not limited to
loss of use, income, profit, or damage to material, arising in connection with the sale,
installation, use of, inability to use, or the repair or replacement of Summit’s products.
Summit reserves the right to make alterations or modifications in its products at any
time, which in its opinion, may improve the performance and efficiency of the product.
It shall not be obligated to make such alterations or modifications to products already in
service.
Please take the time to fill out the warranty card online at http://www.
summitstands.com/warranty or fill out and mail in the enclosed warranty card.
5LIMITED WARRANTY

PG 4 www.summitstands.com
6USE
PUTTING ON THE HARNESS
1. Always key off the Black Tether line when picking
up the harness to put it on. This will help keep the
harness tangle free.
2. The sewn lineman’s loops should be on the outside
of the harness as shown in figure 3. Be sure the
shoulder straps do not cross each other and that they
are not twisted.
3. For All STS harnesses - buckle the main belt around
your waist next. Thread the buckle as shown in figure
4 - 7. Turn the metal 3 bar slide slightly sideways to
push it into the D-Ring.
WARNING
!
• Always check to make sure leg straps are secure
around legs and buckled before climbing the
tree!!!
• Be sure the harness tether strap is attached to safety
strap!!
• NEVER ALLOW THE TETHER STRAP TO GET UNDER
OR AROUND YOUR NECK as shown in figure 1.
• If wearing harness under hunting clothes, make sure
your hunting clothes are not tight around your neck.
The harness will slip up if you fall as shown
in figure 2.
• Always check harness webbing and hardware before
every use for any damaged or worn stitching, webbing
or hardware. If you find a problem, DO NOT use
the harness until the problem has been resolved by
Summit Treestands, LLC.
NEVER ALLOW THE TETHER STRAP TO
GET UNDER OR AROUND YOUR NECK!
WARNING
!
1
2
3
4 5
6 7

PG 5
PUTTING ON THE HARNESS (continued)
4. Adjust belt strap by pulling on tag end (figure
7) until comfortably snug. Roll the free ends of the
webbing up and use the hook and loop straps to secure
as shown in figure 8.
5. For the STS Pro, rotate the pouch to your front.
Unsnap the pouch and pull out the black tether strap
(this strap will act as a pull cord to pull out the shoulder
straps). Once the straps are out, rotate the pouch back
behind you. Slip your arms through the shoulder straps
as you would a jacket. Be sure the shoulder straps do
not cross each other and that they are not twisted.
6. For All STS models adjust the 3-bar slide on each
shoulder strap (figure 9) until the shoulder straps and
waist belt are comfortably snug as shown in figure 10.
7. The adjustable, rubber coated 3 bar slide on the end
of each leg strap controls the overall length of your
leg straps. (See figure 11) Slide this 3 bar slide up
or down the webbing and then pull the slack through
the rubber coated buckle as shown in figure 12. Roll
the free ends of the webbing up and use the hook and
loop straps to secure.
8. For All STS models, bring leg strap BEHIND the leg
then between the legs to the front as shown in figure
13.
9. Thread the male part of the leg buckles through the
female part as show in figure 14. If the leg straps are
loose pull on the free end of the webbing until snug.
Leg straps should be comfortably snug (see figure 15).
You should only have to adjust the strap length once as
you initially fit the harness.
10. Fasten the chest buckle next as shown in figure 16.
3 BAR
SLIDE
9
8
16
10 11
12 13
14 15

PG 6 www.summitstands.com
USING THE HARNESS WITH A CLIMBING TREESTAND
1. Attach the safety rope to the tree, following the directions
listed on Page 6.
2. Slide the safety rope up the tree as you climb. While climbing,
adjustments to the harness attachment to the tree (tether/
safety rope) should be frequent and coordinated with treestand
movement to maintain the least amount of slack in the tether
that will allow for climbing.
3. When you are at your hunting height, position safety rope
above your head (See figure 21).
ATTACHING THE TREESTAND SAFETY ROPE TO THE
TREE
The adjustable Prusik hitch should be snug to the safety
rope. It should be tight when sliding it on the safety
rope. If necessary, gently pull on the loop to
increase the tension of the Prusik on the safety rope.
1. Put the loop end of the safety rope around the
tree.
2. Thread the knot end and the adjustable Prusik hitch
all the way through the loop end of the safety rope
(see figure 17).
3. Open the Prusik hitch loop and insert the harness
tether safety clip through this loop as shown in
figure 18. Be sure the knot at the end of the prussic
hitch is tight and that it has at least 1.5” of rope as
a tail (See Diagram on first page of this instruction
book.) Screw the locking collar COMPLETELY closed
to secure the safety clip.
4. Pull on the end of the prussic hitch to secure it to the
safety rope. See figure 19.
5. Tie an overhand knot in the safety rope approximately
ten (10) inches under the Prusik hitch as shown in
figure 20. This will help maintain your position on the
safety rope in the event of a fall.
WARNING
!
When attaching the harness safety rope to the tree,
be sure the adjustable Prusik hitch has been fed
completely through the loop at the end of the safety
rope as shown in figure 17. Do this BEFORE you
being to climb with a climbing treestand.
WARNING
!
NEVER disconnect from your safety harness or your
safety rope once you are off the ground!
WARNING
!
ALWAYS adjust the safety rope to minimize the slack
while you are climbing.
WARNING
!
NEVER disconnect from your safety harness or your
safety rope once you are off the ground!
21
WARNING
!
NEVER allow more than 24 inches total combined
slack in the safety rope and harness tether strap.
WARNING
!
ALWAYS confirm the carabiner locking collar has
been completely screwed closed to secure the safety
clip
17 18
19 20

Your Safety Rope can easily be converted to a lineman’s belt
to aid you in installing and using hang-on treestands. To stay
connected at all times while using a hang-on Treestand you must
either purchase an additional safety rope (PN 83015) or use the
lineman’s belt supplied with your Summit Hang-On treestand.
USING THE SAFETY ROPE AS A LINEMAN’S STYLE BELT
1. Clip the extra snap clip to the loop end of the safety rope
and then to the sewn Linemans Loops attached to the harness as
shown in figure 22.
2. Put the safety rope around the tree.
3. Clip the locking carabiner clip to the adjustable Prusik hitch on
the safety rope and then to the opposite, sewn Lineman’s Loop
on the harness. See figure 23.
4. To adjust the climbing belt, simply slide the adjustable Prusik
hitch forward or backward.
When using a hang-on Treestand, Summit recommends the
use of the SOP climbing system (PN 83014) for ascending and
descending from your treestand.
If you are using this STS harness with a Summit Original Equipment
Linemans Belt (sold with Summit Hang On Treestands) - follow
the instructions in the Summit Harness booklet. Run the webbing
belt through the same sewn loops as shown here.
Additional ropes and hardware can be purchased at www.
summitstands.com
7LINEMAN’S BELT
WARNING
!
The use of a Lineman’s climbing belt is required when
installing a hang-on treestand
22
NOTICE
To slide the hitch forward you will need to hold onto
the tag end of the rope as shown in figure 24.
WARNING
!
When using a fixed position stand, NEVER DISCONNECT
YOUR LINEMAN’S BELT UNTIL YOU HAVE SECURELY
CONNECTED THE REAR TETHER SYSTEM TO THE TREE!
PG 7
23
24
8HARNESS SUSPENSION
It is necessary and very important that someone knows your
hunting location and time of return. It is also very important that you
carry (on your person) emergency communication devices such as a
cell phone, two-way radio, whistle, signal flare or preferably a PLD
(Personal Locator Device - FCC approved July, ‘03). When triggered,
a PLD will transmit an emergency signal to local rescue teams
identifying your location via satellite GPS coordinates. PLD’s may be
purchased at Wilderness outfitters or on the internet.
25

Use of the Suspension Relief Strap
Suspension trauma or blood pooling can occur when
suspended motionless in a harness for periods of time.
This can lead to unconsciousness and death.
1. Retrieve the Suspension Relief Strap (SRS) from the
storage pouch on the side of the harness. See figure
25.
2. One end of the SRS strap will be pre-attached to
your harness shown in figure 26 position A.
3. Tie the other end of the SRS to the harness belt loop
as show in figure 26 position B. 4. Adjust the SRS so
the large loop it forms is just above the ankles - figure
27.
5. Put both feet in the loop and stand up to relieve the
pressure from the harness leg straps. See
figure 28 and figure 29. NOTE: Re-adjust the length
of the loop if considerable pressure is still felt on the leg
straps.
Self extraction may be necessary in the unfortunate
situation that A) No one knows your location, B) Your
communication efforts are exhausted, C) You are
confident that you have the strength, dexterity and
ability to perform self-extraction and D) You decide this
is your “absolute last resort”. It is necessary to carry a
device to assist with this self-extraction. Simple devices
such as screw-in steps or a rope “Tree Descender”
(available from Summit) will allow you to remove the
weight from your harness. This may enable you to
return to the treestand/ladder/climbing steps or slowly
descend the tree.
Several optional products/systems are available that
offer self-recovery or self extraction from a fall when
suspended in a harness. Returning to the ground
obviously also relieves suspension trauma and some
systems automatically descend the user while others
allow user control. If one of these products/systems
is selected for use as an additional safety precaution
against prolonged suspension, be sure to follow the
manufacturers’ directions for safe use.
WARNING
!
Prolonged harness suspension may be fatal. If
rescue personnel cannot be notified, you must
have a plan to recover / escape before hunting.
WARNING
!
If you have to hang in the tree before help arrives,
you need to exercise your legs by pushing off from
the tree, raising your knees to your chest or by
using the attached suspension relief strap.
WARNING
!
This Suspension Relief Strap MUST be on your person
and accessible while using your harness!!! The steps
below assume you are hanging by your tether line
after a fall.
AB
SRS
STRAP
26
27
28 29