What should you do to safely get your firearm into an elevated stand?

To safely get your firearm into an elevated stand, the best practice is to haul up the unloaded firearm after you have secured yourself. This method emphasizes safety by ensuring that you first stabilize your own position, minimizing the risk of falling while you are handling the firearm. Bringing the firearm up after securing yourself helps prevent accidents or mishaps that could occur if you were to carry it while climbing, which could lead to losing your balance or having a misfire if the firearm were to discharge due to an unexpected movement. In situations involving elevation, it’s crucial to prioritize safety by managing one task at a time: securing yourself, and then handling the firearm.

Other methods, such as climbing with the firearm in hand, pose significant risks as they can impede your ability to maintain three points of contact while climbing, increasing the likelihood of a dangerous fall. Leaving the firearm on the ground also means it is unattended and could potentially be accessed by someone else or could be damaged or lost. Securing the firearm at your waist may not provide the necessary safety and control during the ascent. Hence, the recommended approach prioritizes both personal safety and responsible firearm handling.