Throwlines
Richard Packer
throwlines while out for a walk today. They are called the Balcan
Emergency Life Line (BELL), and are 40m long.
website - http://www.balcan.co.uk/bell/index.php
Used by at least one rowing club on the Clyde according to the
website, but until today, I'd never heard of them. Much smaller and
lighter than the 25m Palm throwbag I normally carry when I'm
driving/marshalling/umpiring, *and* they have a longer line (40m).
There's no price on the website, but I reckon they are well worth a
look at if you need some new throwlines.
Alistair Groves
From personal experience white water kayaking we've had much more favor
with lines that are thicker - they're much easier to see and hold on to.
But then again I suppose not many people row on white water...
Another issue is once you've thrown it (and missed) you're in a bit of a
spot. Not an issue for people on boats with spares maybe, but cycling
along a bank I like being able to pull the bag in, fill it with water
and get an even more accurate throw.
Personally I'm a fan of my 25m Yak throwbag which has a nice strap so
you can have it slung on your back, and has a handle on the bag for
people to hang on to when you drag them out.
http://www.aswatersports.co.uk/detail.aspx?ID=258
I managed to get the 25m version for £28 in the shop.
Of course, even more important than what you buy is making sure that you
know how to use it. When you need it isn't the time to learn. White
water kayaking has always been pretty good at teaching how to use lines
- generally everyone in the club is taught how to use one on dry land,
and on each trip there's generally a ratio of 1:3 people that have done
a proper safety day and carry a throw bag and knife to each
inexperienced person.
But from what I've seen in rowing it's far from the same. Granted it's
not white water but it's still easy to drown.
At one club I row at I'm the only person that bothers to take a throw
bag with them when cycling on the bank and I don't think many/any of
them even know how to use one properly.
Alistair Groves
Managed to find a page I saw a while back reviewing different ways of
getting lines to people
http://www.boatus.com/foundation/findings/line_launch.htm
The BELL launcher seems to do pretty well. Although I'll stick to my
throwbag because I know I can hit a target with it ;)
Richard Packer
<alis...@fitness4sports.net> wrote:
>At one club I row at I'm the only person that bothers to take a throw
>bag with them when cycling on the bank and I don't think many/any of
>them even know how to use one properly.
I've updated my website links - www.rjpacker.org.uk - to include the
Yak throwline and the useful BoatUS review. Thanks for those.
You're absolutely right about remembering to take one with you and
knowing how to use it properly though. "Target practice" is
relatively simple - and you don't even have to do it on water just to
practice your throwing technique. Rescue practice is a little harder,
but getting the line quickly to the right place is the key anyway.
Dorney Lake now insists that all coaches take throwlines.
glasgow...@yahoo.co.uk
The Rules and Guidelines for the River Clyde state that all coaches and
persons going up the banking on bikes or running up the bank alongside
craft should carry a throw bag. The type of bag is personal choice. the
best way is to try some out and find the one that suits you best.
I am of the opinion that persons who frequent riverbanks should carry
throw ropes and actively encourage this on the Clyde. Someday they may
be cycling/running/walking along when they see someone in the water in
trouble and having a throw bag with them may allow them to carry out a
rescue without endangering their own life.
There is the possibility that craft should have a throw bag on board
and then they would not be in the water hoping that someone with a
throw bag appears on the banking, they could throw their rope to anyone
passing. Many (perhaps most) experienced canoeists do this.
Glasgow Humane Society run certificated (for the present at no cost)
courses in the use of throw ropes. We use many different kind of ropes
in training and encourage personal choice. Glasgow Park Rangers and
some City Officials have taken part in these courses. The course takes
about 3-4hrs over two days which can be arranged to suit anyone
preferences.
Best wishes, George Parsonage.