Ejecto Hook

There are a lot of discussion going on about personal safety at the moment which I've been reading with interest.   I think it's clear there is not a simple 'safe' answer which addresses all situations and we all make our own decisions often based on our own personal experiences and fears. 

I wear my harness under my bouyancy aid as this allows the back support to work correctly.  However I do feed the straps through the neck apperture and over the BA at the front to ensure it doesn't ride up whilst sailing or in the water.  I think I can undo the starps quickly if need be in order to take the BA off. 

I never wear a rash vest over everything as I want to be able to undress quickly.  I think this is more important than wearing a smooth non snag over garment.

I carry magic marines 'toy' knife as I can't think of a non intrusive place to carry anything bigger.  I discount folding knives as I don't think I'd be able to operate these in an emergency situation and a sheathed knife I feel sure will catch or be rammed into me at some point.  Being a singlehander, I see no point in carrying a knife on the boat. 

I have a Magic marine quick release harness but a quick test on the beach showed neither this nor the Crewsaver equivalent my mate was wearing actually release whilst under tension.  I therefore have no confidence that they add to my safety but whilst there is a chance it might work, I'll still wear it.  Why not?  I just make a habit of check the release pin is fully engaged before each sail and it has never accidentally released.  I also carry a spare hook in case I do have to use it in anger.

These are my decisions and I know that people will disagree with a number of the conclusions I have drawn.  My real point is that at the end of the day you must make your own call knowing that it won't be perfect.

Ian

Edited by Ian29937

Originally posted by k_kirk I do this too because it helps keep my BA from riding up. Then again I now do realize this very fact could kill me one day so I will try the other way round next time I go out...

how would your BA NOT riding up kill you? if it rides up over your head you could drown but if it stays where it's meant to what's the problem?

I saw this on a non trapeze boat forum, they are talking about a video in which 49er's capsize lots, it made me smile anyway.

I have another question. Anytime I have sailed trapeze boats and you capsize mostly you get pulled by your wire ontop of the sail, but the guys in this video seem to manage to un-hook so go over backwards. Is there some sort of quick release mechanism on the wires with these boats?	Thats gotta hurt!	08 Aug 07 05:46
chatting to Mark Lee (from 'Craftinsure' - one of the  Nationals Sponsors), and a Contender sailor - he says there is a quick release version of a trapeeze harness & he can see it being made compulsory following recent events. I don't know who makes this.

I do this too because it helps keep my BA from riding up. Then again I now do realize this very fact could kill me one day so I will try the other way round next time I go out...

i always wear my BA over my harness just because its more comfortable. never really thought about having to get out of my harness quickly. or having to swim down to get clear of the boat, can't see why you would need to on  fireball or on a 600.