This document outlines the safety warnings and instructions for a climbing stick, a device designed for elevated hunting from a saddle. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting the inherent risks associated with hunting from an elevated position. The manufacturer, TETHRD®, is a team dedicated to saddle hunting, aiming to provide high-quality, mobile, stealthy, and safe elevated hunting gear.
The climbing stick is intended for use only from an elevated position and requires the user to wear an appropriate fall-rated TETHRD® Saddle or full-body safety harness with a lineman's climbing belt, fully secured to the tree and connected to the harness. Never attempt to climb a tree without this essential safety equipment. Before using the product, users must read and understand all accompanying instructions and warnings and familiarize themselves with its capabilities and limitations. Seeking qualified instruction before use is highly recommended, as failure to adhere to these warnings can lead to severe injury or death.
General Safety Instructions
Several critical safety warnings are highlighted:
- Never use climbing sticks while taking drugs (prescription or illegal), alcohol, or any other substance that impairs judgment.
- Never use climbing sticks during inclement weather such as rain, lightning, freezing rain, snow, or high winds. Such conditions can lead to loss of grip and falls.
- Never use climbing sticks when feeling ill, nauseous, dizzy, or if you have a medical condition that could be aggravated by climbing.
- Never use climbing sticks if you have any medical conditions that affect your balance, mobility, or grip, such as joint pain, numbness, or weakness in limbs.
- Never use climbing sticks on a dead, diseased, or loose-barked tree. Always inspect the tree for stability.
- Never use climbing sticks on a tree that is too small in diameter (less than 9 inches) or too large (more than 20 inches).
- Never use climbing sticks on a tree with thorns, loose bark, or other obstructions that could interfere with proper attachment or climbing.
- Never use climbing sticks if you are alone and cannot get help in an emergency. Always inform someone of your hunting location and expected duration.
- Always inspect the climbing stick, ropes, and all other components for damage before each use. Replace any damaged parts immediately.
- Always ensure all connections are secure and tight before climbing.
- Always maintain three points of contact with the climbing stick while climbing or descending.
- Always keep your lineman's belt attached to the tree above your waist.
- Never exceed the total weight limit of the climbing stick, which includes yourself and all gear.
Attaching the Climbing Stick to the Tree
The process of attaching the climbing stick to a tree is detailed with step-by-step instructions and corresponding figures. Before attachment, ensure you are wearing the appropriate safety harness and lineman's climbing belt.
- Hold the climbing stick against the tree and pass the DynaLITE™ Rope around the back of the tree.
- Pass the DynaLITE™ Rope below the DynaLOC™ Button and loop it over the top, ensuring the tag end is passed over the top of the rope. Never pass the tag end underneath itself.
- Firmly pull the tag end of the DynaLITE™ Rope down to tighten the loop around the DynaLOC™ Button.
- Feed the DynaLITE™ Rope through the bottom-right notch of the DynaLOC™ Button.
- Keeping the DynaLITE™ Rope taut, feed it through the opposite top-left corner notch.
- Once fully seated in both notches, pull down on the DynaLITE™ Rope to tighten it to the DynaLOC™ Button. If there is slack, repeat steps 1-5.
- Feed the DynaLITE™ Rope through the bottom-left notch.
- Feed the DynaLITE™ Rope through the opposite top-right notch, keeping it in front of itself. Do not pass the tag end underneath itself.
- Once fully seated in the remaining notches, pull down firmly on the DynaLITE™ Rope to secure it. If there is slack, repeat all previous steps.
- Secure the tag end of the DynaLITE™ Rope to itself using a half-hitch knot passed around the underside.
- Press down firmly on the climbing stick. The DynaLITE™ Rope should form an "X" through all four notches in the DynaLOC™ Button.
- When installed properly, the climbing stick should be secured tightly against the tree with no slack in the DynaLITE™ Rope. If slack exists, repeat all previous steps.
These steps can be mirrored for left-side attachment.
Stacking the Climbing Stick for Transport or Storage
The climbing stick features StickLOC™ technology for quick and easy stacking.
- Locate the StickLOC™ connectors on the bottom of each step and the mating holes on the top of each step of the climbing stick.
- Position the top stick on top of the bottom stick's DynaLOC™ Button, with the tube of the bottom stick nesting inside the step recess from the top stick's steps.
- Slide the climbing stick down, keeping the StickLOC™ connectors aligned with the mating holes.
- Press the sticks together firmly. Once fully seated, the climbing stick should be very snug with little to no movement.
- Repeat the process to stack additional sticks.
Maintenance Features
- Storage and Transport: Store all gear in a clean and dry environment, out of direct sunlight and away from chemicals. Keep your equipment away from gnawing rodents and pets.
- Inspection and Retirement: This product contains user-serviceable parts except for the DynaLITE™ Rope. Inspect your product for damage before each use. Any damage, including but not limited to wear, deterioration, corrosion, cuts, tears, or fraying, renders the product unsafe. If unsure, do not use the product and contact customer service.
- DynaLITE™ Rope: The DynaLITE™ Rope has a 2-year service life. If it is worn, cut, frayed, damaged, or past its service life, it must not be used and should be replaced.
- Climbing Stick: If the climbing stick is dented, bent, cracked, or damaged in any way, it must not be used and should be replaced.
- Missing Parts: If any parts are missing, the product must not be used. Contact customer support.
- TETHRD® Saddle or Full Body Harness with Lineman's Climbing Belt: If this essential safety equipment is unavailable or has problems, do not install or uninstall climbing sticks and remain at ground level.
Troubleshooting
The manual provides a troubleshooting guide for common issues:
- DynaLITE™ Rope is worn, cut, frayed, damaged or past 2-year service life: DO NOT USE. Contact Customer Service for assistance.
- Climbing stick is dented, bent, cracked or damaged in any way: DO NOT USE. Replace climbing stick.
- Missing Parts: DO NOT USE. Contact TETHRD® for customer support.
- TETHRD® Saddle or Full Body Harness with Lineman's Climbing Belt is unavailable: DO NOT USE, INSTALL, OR UNINSTALL CLIMBING STICKS. Remain at ground level.
- Problems with TETHRD® Saddle or Full Body Harness with Lineman's Climbing Belt: DO NOT USE, INSTALL OR UNINSTALL CLIMBING STICKS. Remain at ground level.
Limited Warranty
The product includes a limited one-year warranty against manufacturer defects in materials and workmanship from the date of purchase from an authorized retailer to the original, registered owner. TETHRD® will repair or replace any defective part if returned within the warranty period. This warranty is void if the product has been subjected to misuse, abuse, neglect, improper maintenance, failure to follow instructions, improper storage, misapplication, accident, normal wear, modification, adjustment, or unauthorized repair. No other warranties, expressed or implied, including merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, apply. The liability is limited to the repair of the product, and TETHRD® will not be liable for any other injury, loss, damage, or expense, whether direct or consequential. For repairs or warranty issues, contact customer service. TETHRD® reserves the right to make substitutions on warranty coverage, including available parts.
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