Talic:
THUNDER BAY & NORTHWEST ONTARIO
Fair winds and fresh water are calling...
How far will you go?
www.visitthunderbay.com
I've made them and bought them...
Posted by: rikjohnson
on Dec-07-12 10:46 AM (EST)
>>What percentage of those you paddle with carry throw bags,(not counting dedicated tow lines)?
Off and on. If I have new people or kids, yes.
If everyone is experienced, rarely.
>>What percentage of them have the throw bag quickly available?
When I carry it, it is shoved under a bungie behind my cockpit with a carabiner holding it in place.
I figure that if I need it, I am on shore. On the water it is faster to paddle tothe person than to try to throw a bag while in a rocking boat.
>>Have you ever seen practice with throw bags on a paddle?
Seen? NEVER!
Do? Yes. I'll practice in the driveway to get the technique down, then when on the lake, we'll head to the swimming beach and practicen throw from your boat & if so how far & what changes as far as throw technique?
We did do a throw-bag class for the Girl Scouts one year and quickly gave up the throw-bag for a PFD seat cushion clipped to a painter. I figured that I was wasting time loading and reloading the throw bag for a bunch of kids who will never own one. So I chose an idea that I knew they could make in a hurry.
>>Do you know if you can throw from your boat & if so how far & what changes as far as throw technique?
I know that I cannot! Besides, it would be faster to paddle to the person than to stop, unpack the bag and try to throw it from a narrow tippy boat which is drifting in wind and current.
Throw from a boat is not a good idea IMHO.
>>If you miss, how long does it take you for a second try?
Moments. I reel it in, load with water and throw again. I never reload between throws. I DO try to keep the line free on the ground and one thing no one ever mentions…
I clip the end of the throw-line to a tree. Never to me. If I loose balance or the rescue pulls too hard or current., I am in the water and two people need rescue.
>>An interesting point brought up by the earlier post, what if you need a second try & can't reach the water; how do you deploy for mutiple throws?
I find that by the time I pull it in, it is wet and waterlogged so the bag is heavy enough for another throw without filling with water.
 |  |