Farallones Accident/Fatalities - Final Report

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by jackdale

The one for the Spinlock works well.

mmmm . . . most people I know in actual practice find the spinlock thigh straps to be a major PITA and they often tuck them up and don't put them on. The Whole crew of Ramblier had Spinlock style straps and not one was actually using them. You need something that is easy and convenient enough for people to actually use. Some people have enough interest and/or discipline to actually use the spinlock thigh straps but most seem to need something simpler to actually go to the effort of using them in the real world.

The spinlock straps also seem to have a potential weak point in the plastic para-clips. Those are not designed for any sort of shock loads. ISO has been very slow at issuing any sort of specs for crotch straps but I would guess when they do issue them that these para-clips will not be allowed (you would very certainty NEVER see them on a loaded part of a climbing or window washing harness).

[hellosailor]

Thigh straps: I think these were invented by someone who said "damn, that crotch strap is going to hurt!" but the bottom line is that one simple crotch strap, with one high quality clip (not one designed to hold a belt on your pants) works quite well enough. You just shove the strap off center to your, ah, windward side, give it an inch of slack, and forget about it.

Shock loads? No really, I sincerely hope there's never going to be a shock load on my crotch strap, I expect it only is there to resist the bouyancy pull of my PFD. Unless someone sends one of those fancy we-can-snatch-em-up-on-a-C130-skyhook rescues for me, I really don't expect any shock load on that strap. (Memo, enquire for vacancies at Venetian Boys' Choir.)

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Thigh straps: I think these were invented by someone who said "damn, that crotch strap is going to hurt!" but the bottom line is that one simple crotch strap, with one high quality clip (not one designed to hold a belt on your pants) works quite well enough. You just shove the strap off center to your, ah, windward side, give it an inch of slack, and forget about it.

agreed

Shock loads? No really, I sincerely hope there's never going to be a shock load on my crotch strap, I expect it only is there to resist the bouyancy pull of my PFD. Unless someone sends one of those fancy we-can-snatch-em-up-on-a-C130-skyhook rescues for me, I really don't expect any shock load on that strap. (Memo, enquire for vacancies at Venetian Boys' Choir.)

well, when you fall over the side while doing 7 kts and snatch up on the tether you are unfortunately going to have a little snatch load. The current spec for harnesses and tethers are designed to withstand a 2m fall (with a heavy individual) but the para-clips come no-where near that.

......

[hellosailor]

"Needless to say I will be buying crotch straps for all....... "
No really, Bill. All you need is some velcro and have the crew stop shaving south of the border. <VBG>

Evans, I see your point but sincerely hope my tether will always keep me ON the boat, if I can get overboard while wearing it perhaps the pain from a strap will help ensure a proper adrenalin release. My strap actually loops over the "belt" of the harness, the clip is just there for convenience. I could probably re-engineer that and use a small carabiner instead, clipping over the belt, and just using a slide of some kind to adjust the slack.

[Snore]

I continue to learn from the collective knowledge of the group..

First I have pondered alternatives to store-bought straps.... But the thought of requiring all guests to wear reinforced thongs that connected to the PFD scared the hell out of me.

Second, unfortunately the one crotch strap I do own has a plastic clip! Never thought of the shock loading issue! Since I am the one to go on deck, I am going to alter the strap to eliminate or reinforce the plastic clip.

Thanks to everyone for all your inputs!

Your avid student

Bill

[estarzinger]

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