On Sat, 12 Jul 2003 09:54:51 +0100, Pete <pete.ansbro@virgin.net>
wrote:

>On Fri, 11 Jul 2003 20:32:51 +0100, "Alfa Adam"
><turbo_bitz@hotmail.com> wrote:
>               >snippety snip<
>>> Take a sharp knife with you (you will need a pocket on your buoyancy
>>> aid or harness whichever you wear on top).  There have been several
>>> cases of people getting trapped by a harness and you may want to cut
>>> through the webbing in a hurry.
>>
>>Wow - serious - the only time I'd carry a knife in the boat is to threaten
>>my helmsman.
>
>I think the original sentiment is well meaning but if I think about
>how long it would take me to climb into thigh, waist and shoulder
>straps when putting the harness on, I will reflect (whilst walking the
>dogs) on what kind of emergency/capsize would necessitate the
>necessary butchery to simply float out of a harness. If we're thinking
>about wires and stuff catching round the hook, might not the simpler
>and quicker solution be to sort out the problem there? Remove all
>clips, catches, rubber bungs from the hook before sailing. Gravity
>keeps the harness and trap ring connected and if gravity isn't working
>or is no longer required you do want to be off the wire without having
>to fumble.
>
>I don't doubt that people have got into difficulty, it's just that
>neither as a trapeze user or as rescue crew did I ever come across
>such. Thankfully.

There was a Dutchman drowned last year as a result of a capsize and
being trapped by his harness. As  a result the advice is to take a
knife that you can open with one hand
-- 
martin

>>>>                          ____/|
>>>>	 O               \ o.O|
>>>>	 \\                =(_)=
>>>>     __))____ooO U Ooo
>>>>		```       '''