Throw bag for the Sea
I’ve king of change up my gear a bit. Now I carry a short tow attached to the belt on my jacket and I carry a throw rope.
Sometimes, I can get pretty close to someone in breaking waves and throw them the rope from the boat while I’m out of the white zone.
I’ve learned I throw it best from the boat by throwing it like a football.
The throw rope can extend the short tow.
The short tow is the most handy for moving people and boats a short distance to a safe zone.
I’m learning as I go here but I’ve started keeping both short tow and throw rope handy on all trips except for flat water small lake exercise paddles.
Always carry one…
I threw a rope once in a non-practice situation at the Springdale rapid on the Quinapoxet River. It was a lousy throw and my target couldn’t reach the rope – I had no time for a second throw. I caught up with him downstream about an hour later after he retrieved his boat.
I have been the beneficiary of good throws on the West River at the Dumblings and on the Lower Millers at the Funnel. The trouble is that my boat ended up far downstream. I’m not sure that I wouldn’t have been better off swimming after my boat.
We practice occasionally – probably because I like swimming in easy rapids.
Throw bag…
When do I carry it?
Everytime I go out on the water in a canoe.
It is in front of me; secured to the front thwart.
Do I practice with the throwbag?
Yes, on a regular basis.
Second throw timing?
If I miss on the first throw; I can usually redeploy the bag for a second throw within 45 seconds.
I typically fill the bag partially full of water for the redeployment/second throw.
If I have one of my throwbags that has a heavier/larger diameter rope; I can get a pretty good second throw using just the rope for the second throw.
I have thrown a bag to someone in need while still in my canoe, but I exited my canoe to pull them into shore. It is definitely not an ideal position for making a throw, nor is it ideal to retrieve the person in need.
I remove all the rope from the bag, and hang the bag & rope in the shade, inside my garage, after I return home from “every” paddling outing. I visually inspect the rope as I repack it into the bag.
I have literally pulled 100s of people out of rivers with throw bags & throw ropes. More than a few could have ended up in very bad situations if I had not been there. Many were people I had never met before.
In one instance, I actually pulled in 2 people at the same time; one on each end of a 50 foot throw rope.
I don’t recommend this; hard on your back!
BOB
disagree on dunk
Depends on the bag and rope. I ripped up my shoulder trying to throw a heavy wet bag this summer. It was a large bag of NFPA nylon core, polypro sheath rescue line that got a LOT heavier when wet. Tried to make a maximum-distance throw from an awkward position and it’s still not fully healed.
My paddling partner was so ready w/ his
… he plunked me right in the face with it – full-on overhand throw – from 15 feet away. And when I regained consciousness I still had hold of my boat and paddle!
Thanks Pyker!
throw bags
The nature of your questions suggests you have never used one. Paddle moving water and you need throw bags in every boat. Practice using them. Then all of your questions will be answered.
I have used them many times. Be sure to learn to stuff a bag correctly so that the line pays out. Some people coil their throw lines and stuff them in the bag. A bad idea. Let us know how you do.
Only new to the kayaks this year…
…all my previous experience with throw bags are from shore as a support person for swift water rescue, lots of practice with throws & re-throws. More curious about the differences in practical application. Some good info on ww vs. sea kayak use ect.
Thanks all, t.george
Butterfly coils
– Last Updated: Dec-18-12 9:37 PM EST –
Good basic throwbag instruction that shows how to recoil with butterfly coils
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhhvzqc3wQk
edit: this is one in a series of swift water rescue videos
I’ve
only used mine in practice and to tie up 20 odd seakayaks that couldn’t fit on the beach , also used for a drying line mostly