What items of safety kit do you tether to yourself?

chris moody · Post by **chris moody** » 12 Mar 2019, 18:55

When going boating I carry lots of items of safety kit tethered to myself or my lifejacket. That way if I go overboard I still have the items with me, not stuck in the boat 20 metres away and unreachable.

Let's create a list of items you want on you if you end up in the water separated from your boat. Who's going to start the list off?

Post by **ChrisParish** » 12 Mar 2019, 19:15

I tether the the boat to myself / myself to the boat. On a windy day the boat can blow away faster than you can swim; especially if it is cold.
Just make sure that your tether is longer than your kill cord!

Post by **ChrisParish** » 12 Mar 2019, 19:35

One thing to add, having read the other stuff on a different topic which veered into this subject:
I am aware of the risk of getting dragged behind the boat. My tether is 3m long and chain stitched so that it come undone as I pull on it. I can’t go much over 13 knots at all and to be honest I feel that if I was to part company from my boat it would probably be while stationary and trying to land a fish / have a wee.
I have been looking into getting a PLB and once I have one then I may well do away with the tether. I also don’t use it when out with other people / boats.

chris moody · Post by **chris moody** » 12 Mar 2019, 20:23

With all this @ChrisParish there is no right or wrong way, just pros and cons to different ways of doing things. I personally don't believe in using a tether, but then I'm most likely to come out of a boat at considerable speed "driving it like I stole it", and in that scenario a tether is most likely going to kill me rather than help me. So for me a tether isn't going to work.

The key thing is to think about different scenarios and plan for them. Then when it all goes a bit pear shaped you have the kit you need to hand, and a rough plan in your head of what you are going to do.

chris moody · Post by **chris moody** » 12 Mar 2019, 20:25

One item I'm going to tether to myself is a means of calling for help if I'm overboard. Either a handheld vhf or a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.

Over to someone else to suggest another item.

Post by **ChrisParish** » 12 Mar 2019, 20:55

My Sister-in-law suggested a big heavy rock. If your going to drown, best get it over with.....

Post by **Sarah** » 12 Mar 2019, 21:37

For me its just VHF (ideally DSC but depends where I am) and a knife (folding and rounded tip). LJ has a light and an integrated sprayhood. Interested to see what others have.

Froglet · Post by **Froglet** » 12 Mar 2019, 21:58

So far for me it's just been lifejacket with knife and kill cord. Only just got the VHF so not been out with that yet, but that's joining the gang.

My other tethered item is sunglasses. Already lost 2 pairs on the water by perching them on my hat so now I have a strap for them. Feel like a bit of a berk, but damn it, I liked those shades! Never again! lol

Post by **Sarah** » 12 Mar 2019, 22:06

Oh yes sunglasses, very important on my list! Good answer on the killcord!

YouTube · Post by **Martin** » 12 Mar 2019, 22:22

My Lifejacket is a multi tool

My Vhf/Dsc handheld & a Killcord are always tethered to the lifejacket... Its a one fit system for me.
Also usually attached Is mini dry bag, That contains my wallet, Mobile and spare battery for the radio.

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What items of safety kit do you tether to yourself?

What items of safety kit do you tether to yourself?

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