Trapeze harness

There's no standard for uick release hooks- nothing saying how much load they should be able to take, or how much load they should be able to release under.

There is, however, supposedly an ISO standard in the works. Chances are current designs may well not meet that. If they re-introduce a rule requiring quick release, then it will almost certainly be to the ISO standard.

 

And I believe entrapments are more likely to involve ropes wrapped round distinctly non quick release limbs or the neck. Certainly, I've always found that if I get a bit stuck during a capsize (even on trapeze boats- though for now I hike) then it's a case of freeing my legs from the mainsheet. Other experience people?

That's funny I didn't see the picture either and then when I came back to the page it had appeared.

But to get back to snagging.  Yes I think you're right a rash vest over everything is probably the best way to stop snags.  I certainly wear my bouyancy under my spray top - that way it doesn't ride up and obscure my vision when I'm in the water (which is frequently). 

One day I forgot the bouyancy aid but nobody noticed and oh what a pleasure - so much easier to get up on the board from in the water.  Of course nobody will ever believe me when I say its safer without one!

I know I'm swimming against a tide here and I'll never convince the authorities but I think the safest way to go is with these rules.

1. all dinghy sailors should be able to swim
2. they should not wear bouyancy aids
3. they should not use quick release hooks

You can get really good no-snag harness hooks now.   No sticky out hook to snag on anything or punch any holes in anyones decks.

So, harness, then bouyancy then a rash vest over everything = nothing whatsoever sticks out to get tangled in the first place.  And you don't need a special rashy with a hook hole.

Had mine a couple of years now and very pleased.  Switched back to a hook for a while and almost immediatedly damaged my mate's boat with it . 

Back to the flush hook. 


You do have to be a little more positive about hooking into it and it doesn't come unhooked all by itself, eg when you stand in the boat or want to hook into a loose wire before you step out (which is good) but instead the needs a small chop on the trapeze loop with the side of your hand to dislodge it (possibly not so good).

Highly recommended.

PS: a bouyancy aid is a really nice thing to have on when you capsize for the nth time after several hours of sailing!!!!!


Edited by NickA

Originally posted by redback I wear my harness over everything so that I can remove it quickly if necessary.  My only experience of entrapment nearly did for me and it was a buckle on the harness which got caught.  I remember with the last breath in my body that I couldn't get if off because I had a bouyancy aid over the top and yet I'd checked the hook a dozen times and couldn't understand why I was still snagged.

so in that respect would a rash vest covering everything have helped? this is an interesting debate because my 29er crew wears a harness then a b/a and then his spray top.  when im trapzing i wear a harness and then my b/a. but my b/a is so easy to get off (if i lifted my arms up i could slide it off). i dont understand why you need a b/a, if you cant swim, should you really be sailing? if your knocked out its useless and could hold you face down in the water. if your concious then you can swim. only advntage i can see is if your too tired to swim (which isnt  a problem with decent rescue cover....).

my apologies for hi-jacking the thread.

I wear my harness over everything so that I can remove it quickly if necessary.  My only experience of entrapment nearly did for me and it was a buckle on the harness which got caught.  I remember with the last breath in my body that I couldn't get if off because I had a bouyancy aid over the top and yet I'd checked the hook a dozen times and couldn't understand why I was still snagged.