OK.
1. Always, always use your harness, unless you're only going up 5 to 8 feet. That's about the height I will first put the harness around the tree.
2. Choose a tree that is consistent in its thickness from bottom to top - with very little change in diameter. Many trees are thick near the base, but thin out quickly - this will screw you up, and leave your stand hanging loose, angling down toward the ground, once you get up higher. And don't ever try to change/adjust the cables when you're up in it.
3. Choose a tree that is straight up and down, or very slightly angled away from the side you're climbing up from, and one that is smooth, without limbs. If there are just a few little limbs, then try it, but take a little saw with you to cut the limbs off as you go up.
4. Don't carry your gun/bow up with you. Tie a cord/rope to your fanny pack or belt on one end, and your weapon on the other. Pull up your weapon when you get settled in. Open the bolt/action on your gun before you climb, cuz it may be pointed at you as you pull it up.
5. Keep an extra cotter pin or two in your fanny pack or pocket. If you accidentally pull a pin and the top or bottom parts fail you, you can sit or stand on the part that didn't fail, and repair the other one.
6. For scenario 5 (which happened to me), make sure you tie a string about 3 or 4 feet long to both the top and bottom parts. For example, when the bottom failed on me, it dropped, but hung there due to the rope. I caught myself on the top with my arms, pulled myself up into the seat (not easy), and then pulled up the bottom with the rope, and repaired the bottom. I had pulled out a pin with my bootlaces. I used on that day a little screw-in-to-the-tree accessory hook as a backup pin.
7. Keep a knife for cutting yourself loose if necessary. But don't put it in your pants pocket, because the leg straps of the harness will compress your pocket, and keep you from getting it out. Keep a knife or 3 in your jacket pocket or fanny pack/backpack.
8. Not a bad idea to keep a cell phone (and walkie talkie) on your person, if you have a signal. Turn ringer off before hunting.
9. Don't choose a tree that is too thin (esp. on a windy day). Don't choose a tree that is too thick either, or you harness may not go around it.
smooth bark is bad karma.
Hmm, I did not realize that. I've not had problems using cottonwood (smooth tree), but glad you said that - wouldn't want to try it when wet. Thanks.