Throwbags

cbcboat · Post by **cbcboat** » Thu May 07, 2009 8:06 pm

Apparently just had my throw bag stolen

so just curious what people are using and what they think--length, diameter, material?
Thanks
B

Bill M · Post by **Bill M** » Thu May 07, 2009 9:47 pm

Sorry for your lost rope.
I prefer the thicker(3/8") rope as it is easier for the swimmer and thrower to hold on to. I'm not too concerned about having more than 50' cause I'm not accurate at that distance anyway.
That being said what I use is a 70' 1/4' rope in a bag and am fairly accurate up to 50' or so. Strength of either type has never been an issue.
Bill

yarnellboat · Post by **yarnellboat** » Fri May 08, 2009 12:51 am

I think there's a thread on here somewhere, or maybe on Canadian Canoe Routes, but after being involved with an intense rescue a year ago where we were relying a stretchy throw rope for a life-saving z-drag, I now distinguish between "throw ropes" (designed for hauling in a swimmer) and "rescue rope" that are rated to be used under mechanical advantage.

Plus, in the cold water here, I don't really like the skinny little throw ropes that have become very popular.

Anyway, if somebody's carry a skinny throw rope, it doesn't make them well equipped for anything other than tossing the rope to a swimmer. Something to keep in mind.

PY.

p.s. I have one of those 70' "football" ropes. I hate the poorly-made bag and made some modifications, but I liked the specs and price of the actual rope.

yarnellboat · Post by **yarnellboat** » Fri May 08, 2009 12:59 am

Here's the other thread I was thinking of:

http://www.cboats.net/cforum/viewtopic. ... escue+rope

PY.

Yukon · Post by **Yukon** » Fri May 08, 2009 1:32 am

I recomend using a bag with a minimum of 5/16 rope. 1/4 should not be sold in throw bags in my opinion at least not in a rope that stretches. We had a swimmer a few years on one our canoe courses get very bad rope burns on both his hands from a skinny stretchy rope, took all of em out of my fleet.

you dont plan on when a simple rescue - bagged swimmer is gonna turn into something more and you wish you had a stronger rope...

marclamenace · Post by **marclamenace** » Fri May 08, 2009 1:51 pm

agree on everything up here, big ropes are expensive and a drag to carry along all the time while you may use them once every 10 years but when you need one, you just absolutely do.

As for the hand burns, I heard a buch of bad stories me too, and I am one of the few paddlers around me having gloves on all the time, even in hot wheather.

oopsiflipped · Post by **oopsiflipped** » Fri May 08, 2009 1:58 pm

Trust me, you can rip skin of your hand with big throw ropes, too. Depends on what you're doing B. I've got throw bags and more throw bags and I'm sure I'll trade you one for a case of PBR next time i see you if you like. I'd suggest the 3/8" quick release Mongo....

But seriously, it depends on what you are doing. I usually just carry my little astral which is only about 45' of 1/4" spectra. Stay in my PFD so I have it when I scout. I should probably get a bigger rope that stays in my boat so I have something I can actually use with my pin kit....never thought of that!

Post by **PAC** » Fri May 08, 2009 2:08 pm

I agree with above.

I usually carry a shorter version on my back, even for easy runs. But carry a larger one in my boat with a pin kit and a break down.

One additional nice to have is binners & pulleys attached to your vest so you can get them quick when scouting. "Not Elvis" turned me on to Petzl Ultra Light Pulley - http://www.rei.com/product/635117
I now have a couple of them on me just in case.

My biggest issue is that a throw rope is usually ther for the other guy... so does your paddling buddy(s) have them,..... actually with them?

Yukon · Post by **Yukon** » Fri May 08, 2009 2:53 pm

I do have a small throw bag on my pfd and just have to get used to using it. It can be a bitch being the one carrying the throw bag all the time- BUT lead by example and raise the point with your paddle buddies. It is in your best interest cause you want them to have their bag when U need it.
The rope burns in my school were a result of a few things- the big one was a Big guy threw the bag and tried to stop the swimmer right away instead of slowing them down first before pendulm them in. We looked at it from any angles to make it safer for our students.

Ihave found a BIG difference in how bags throw based on their shape. I find a longer flatter bag like the Northwaters throw more accurately for begineers, which is a big bonus. The WRSI football bags bought one and was not impressed, just a gimick, very hard to stuff and I did not find it threw any better and way too manystrings on it.

I have about 30 throw bags and try em all on a regular basis

CDawg · Post by **CDawg** » Fri May 08, 2009 4:18 pm

I carry a Lotus with 70 ft of 5/16 spectra. Small compact bag, fits nicely into my c-1, enough line to get out into the river, and no stretch. If lotus were still in biz I'd buy another one just to have it.

In the middle of the runoff a few years ago, a yakker was stuck behind a boulder in the middle of the river. Wasn't far out, but rope bends, it sags, and wind will effect the reach. My canoe buddy threw a 50 footer at the guy, a few feet short, no way. My 70 footer did it, no problem, I would not carry anything shorter than 70. And spectra is good, no stretch, but when they hit the end of that rope you'd better be hanging on and braced.

Larry Horne · Post by **Larry Horne** » Sat May 09, 2009 4:03 am

I've always worn this bag for emergencies. it has proven to be very usefull over the years. A little rope is usually better than no rope.
http://www.coloradokayak.com/Salamander ... r-Throwbag.

I always have one of these handy in my creek boat as well for setting safety or peeling boats from rocks. It's a really nice bag.
http://www.harmonygear.com/product/2038 ... w_Throwbag

TheKrikkitWars · Post by **TheKrikkitWars** » Mon May 11, 2009 2:07 pm

HF Weasel, 18M (60') of 10mm (3/8") flat rope, this means that its easy to hold like the thick rope because its flat woven, it takes up a fraction of the space and weight.

I also have a big bag with 60m of Semi-Static Canyon Line which is suitable for rescues, and transits (protecting climbs, absailing, hoists and tyroleans) Which I can take if I think I'll need it, but almost never do.

the great gonzo · Post by **the great gonzo** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:20 pm

I use the Hooligan Gear rescue bag. 70 ft of 3/8" spectra rope, on a quick release belt.
Seems to be the standard bag used by most guides on the Ottawa these days.

TGG!

DougB · Post by **DougB** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:26 pm

I have a 3/8" NRS bag I carry when tripping, I have a 1/4" Beluga spectra bag I carry when playboating. I have never had to set up a Z drag with either, but question the strength of the 1/4 spectra. However for throwiing long distance, I'm much more accurate with the smaller bag, which can be thrown overhand.

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