On Sat, 12 Jul 2003 23:35:13 GMT, Simon Brooke <simon@jasmine.org.uk>
wrote:

>Paul Cooper <a.paul.r.cooper@NOntlworldSPAM.com> writes:
>
>> On Fri, 11 Jul 2003 20:32:51 +0100, "Alfa Adam"
>> <turbo_bitz@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> >> 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.
>> >
>> >Adam H
>> >
>> 
>> ALL proper sailors should ALWAYS carry a sharp knife - 
>
>I become nervous on this group when people talk about what 'proper
>sailors' do; it sounds like a certain troll we all know.
>
>However I'd agree that a sharp knife is important safety
>equipment. There are times cutting ropes is the only way out of a bad
>situation.

Years ago I purchased a WWII bright yellow water proof bag, which I
think had originally contained an emergency transmitter for a ships's
lifeboat or some such thing. 
Printed on the bag in large letters was
"IN EMERGENCY CUT NECK WITH KNIFE PROVIDED"
-- 
martin