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Harness Hang Syndrome 11-Apr-2011 At 11:37:41 AM gordoste

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Good point Richard. From the references in that document I found this link:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr708.pdf

Page 20 is very interesting:

There are no studies that have been designed to answer this question. In a number of harness suspension studies subjects experienced presyncope and even in some cases syncope. All subjects were successfully recovered by lying supine. Several authors give opinions about an alternative recovery position but in none of the studies were subjects recovered in the semirecumbent way later suggested. There is no evidence of so-called “reflow syndrome” or reperfusion injury being reported in suspension orthostasis.
Only anecdotal evidence suggests that the standard first aid [putting the patient in a lying position] may have any adverse effect.

This refers to a hypothetical situation where low-oxygen blood could have pooled in the legs and once the subject is removed from the harness it could all flow back to the body at once and cause massive strain on the heart (potentially cardiac arrest). This was the basis of previous recommendations to put patients into a sitting position if they have no airway blockages or other major injuries (including the PDF I linked above).