Sure you can use the
winch, but only if you also use the brain at the same time.
Your body is equipped with pressure sensors in your hands and your brain can multiply that measurements with the
winch amplifier factor in real time.
Or simpler: if you feel increase in resistance ---> stop.
Another trick I used for a newbie once: Only make one turn around the
winch. If there is a problem the
winch will slip. Simple and it works.