What happens after you fall off your boat. - Page 4

jaschrumpf · #31 10-20-2010

How come nobody likes my winch idea?

cb32863 · #32 10-20-2010

So the general consensus is to be tethered in when alone and even more so when in "difficult" conditions, whether alone or not. Always have the PFD on, which is a no-brainer in my book. Be smart about how you handle yourself on the boat when underway, well when anchored too I guess

I have seen tethers that are 6' long and then there are the double ones that have a 6' and a 3'. When would you use the 3' tether, in the cockpit?

Edit: One other question... Go with the elastic ones or not? Reasons?

sailingdog · #33 10-20-2010

Jasc—

It's a bit redneck for most sailors...

T37Chef · #34 10-20-2010

Since watching that ridiculous movie "Open Water 2: Adrift" and realizing our boat had no good way to get back aboard I opted to find on of those emergency ladders. I hang it over the side from the cockpit similar to the Wichard mentioned above.

My guess is, if you're alone and fall overboard at sea you're screwed.

sailingdog · #35 10-20-2010

The 3' tether is a good choice if you want to stay on the boat. The elastic tethers are nice since they tend to stay up and out of your way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb32863

So the general consensus is to be tethered in when alone and even more so when in "difficult" conditions, whether alone or not. Always have the PFD on, which is a no-brainer in my book. Be smart about how you handle yourself on the boat when underway, well when anchored too I guess

I have seen tethers that are 6' long and then there are the double ones that have a 6' and a 3'. When would you use the 3' tether, in the cockpit?

Edit: One other question... Go with the elastic ones or not? Reasons?

Faster · #36 10-20-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb32863

So the general consensus is to be tethered in when alone and even more so when in "difficult" conditions, whether alone or not. Always have the PFD on, which is a no-brainer in my book. Be smart about how you handle yourself on the boat when underway, well when anchored too I guess

I have seen tethers that are 6' long and then there are the double ones that have a 6' and a 3'. When would you use the 3' tether, in the cockpit?

Edit: One other question... Go with the elastic ones or not? Reasons?

The idea of the double tether is to use the short one when you have no need to move very far.. (cockpit or at mast) and switch to the longer one to walk along deck (eg with jacklines) so that you can actually stand up.

The other side of this is that you clip in with one before you unclip the other so you're always 'clipped in" somewhere. With a single tether you will be unattached each time you transfer to a new point. It works well, I've wrapped the longer tether around my waist until needed.

In Fall arrest there are elastic/expandable tethers but I think they are one-time use. A true elastic (bungee) would be a gentler stop, but would it always stop you in time??

sailingdog · #37 10-20-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faster

The idea of the double tether is to use the short one when you have no need to move very far.. (cockpit or at mast) and switch to the longer one to walk along deck (eg with jacklines) so that you can actually stand up.

The other side of this is that you clip in with one before you unclip the other so you're always 'clipped in" somewhere. With a single tether you will be unattached each time you transfer to a new point. It works well, I've wrapped the longer tether around my waist until needed.

I wouldn't wrap it around my waist, that defeats the purpose of the quick release snap shackle if you should fall at that moment...

Quote:

In Fall arrest there are elastic/expandable tethers but I think they are one-time use. A true elastic (bungee) would be a gentler stop, but would it always stop you in time??

Believe he's talking about the ones that have an internal bungee cord to help keep them shortened up when not in use...not a elastic shock absorbing tether.

cb32863 · #38 10-20-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Believe he's talking about the ones that have an internal bungee cord to help keep them shortened up when not in use...not a elastic shock absorbing tether.

Yes, that is the one I was referring to. Not a shock absorbing type. All great info as always SD & Faster. Thanks.

jackdale · #39 10-20-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faster

In Fall arrest there are elastic/expandable tethers but I think they are one-time use. A true elastic (bungee) would be a gentler stop, but would it always stop you in time??

I think many tethers are a one-time use. Mine have some threads that will break when stressed, indicating that that the tether needs to be replaced.

Stillraining · #40 10-20-2010

Jackdale thanks for that link...interesting reading.

I always figured rounder people had an advantage in a situation like this in regards to survival time in cold water......... not self rescue wise in any condition though so its a trade off.