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Throwable Flotation & Line devices
for Man Overboard Situations
An Important
Fact from the USCG; 70% of all boating fatality accidents result from
drowning. Almost 90% of those who drown are not wearing a life jacket!
This
weeks newsletter we have taken a look at throwable flotation devices so you
are able to help the victim survive while you are returning to pick them up.
A minimum
requirement by regulation for most boats is a floating cushion,
Type IV Standard Buoyant Cushion, seen right. the cushion can be thrown
around 25-50ft depending on conditions.
Once you have them close to the boat read the
newsletter boarding ladders (how to get a MOB back onto
the boat).
Choosing a Throwable flotation device
Important things to
consider:
Distance
thrown Accuracy of
throw Any recovery
line attached How much
flotation
In this Newsletter
MOB products, & Rescue lines.
There are two groups here. One is a simple device you throw at the victim. The second are the Dan Buoy and MOM which are deployed. If you deploy the MOM it inflates and both the victim and the boat can use the inflated danbouy flotation combination as a meeting point.
Typically you will add to the horseshoe a whistle, drogue and strobe so the MOB can get attention from the boat.
Typical cost $90. no line. can be thrown 25+ ft
There is no floatation in the rescue bag but you may combine this with a horseshoe life ring, or other form of flotation.
RESCUE MATE RESCUE BAG - 100' OF ROPE. 1" reflective tape. Repack able for multiple uses. 3/8" braided, floating polypropylene rope. Can be thrown typically 50+ft, less into the wind.
Rescue mate is an example of a throw rope. The bag is throw to the victim, while the bitter end of the line in the bag is tied to the boat or wrist.
Typical cost in the $60 range. No flotation. Can be thrown 50+ft
The Lifesling 2 consists of a floatation collar with 20lbs buoyancy and 125ft of line.
The instructions show you how to circle around the victim so they can grab the line and pull toward the flotation device.
Cost approx $100. line +flotation. Typically thrown 20-30ft.
Plastimo's
version of an inflatable Dab Buoy has
Cost around $140. No line. Deployed ASAP.
re the actual victim cannot be seen
Another method to gain attraction is to use a whistle light or strobe and drogue on the lifejacket or Dan Buoy.
SURVIVAL TECHNOLOGIES MOM 8
Top of the line is SWITLICKS
MOM 8 This fully compact and complete device is activated by
pulling the pin when the MOB is reported.
has all the items ion the MOM 8 and also has a single person liferaft which has also be used as a hoist.
Use a flashlight to locate a MOB at night.
I read in Practical Boat Owner that during a night retrieval of a MOB, the crew were not able to locate the victim, even though they could hear him. The Owner threw overboard a flashlight and the beam became a central location that the victim could swim to and the boat maneuver to. This Glow Torch will float upright.
This is like throwing a lifejacket with a strobe. The strobe helps locate the MOB.
The great thing about these new life saving tools is that they can be thrown further and more accurately than a horseshoe Lifering SOS Dan Buoy
The new SOS Dan Buoy is a throwable pouch that when hitting the
The pouch is easy to throw and is condense enough to be fairly accurate - Cushions are flat and light and are easily blown by the wind. This means when someone falls overboard, you can grab the pouch and quickly get it to the MOB. Now you can see where they are while you turn around to pick them up. The pole has its own buoyancy that the MOB can use.
Lifesling have an inflatable version of the lifesling2 which inflates on
The sling, valise and 125' of 8mm, multi-filament, yellow polypropylene line are stored in a white compact fiberglass case designed to be mounted on the stern or a pulpit.
Typical cost $199. Line & flotation. Can be thrown 50+ ft. Most Chandlers and online stores carry the Lifesling.
Rescue internationals version ResQsling shows the concept in the photo below. The bag with inflatable lifejacket in it is thrown to the MOB victim
Here
are a couple of inflatable flotation devices than are handled much like a
stick and thrown overhand. The inflatable device self inflates almost
immediately on contact with the water.
Incredibly easy to use, the Rescue Stick provides rapid flotation assistance to a person at risk of drowning. Simply remove the baton shaped Rescue Stick from its waterproof bag and throw near the person. Once contact is made with the water it inflates in seconds to a large horseshoe shape keeping them afloat and their head above water until help arrives.
Keeping the Rescue stick ready to hand in a pocket on a guard rail or lifeline, means a crewmember can react quickly to the MOB.
cost $129. no line 34lbs buoyancy can be thrown 100+ft.
The Frisbee type device works well. If you purchase one, try practicing your throwing technique as this will mean better throws in anger.
Cons; in windy conditions this device will get blown off course.
Cost $139, 11lbs buoyancy minimum to keep person afloat, can be thrown 65ft
SURVIVAL TECHNOLOGIES TECH FLOAT
HOW TECHFLOAT WORKS: Holding one end of the line, the entire unit is thrown into the water (throw underhand for best accuracy) and the (24lb) buoyancy aid automatically inflates in just seconds via a patented valve system. The line pays out of the bag as it is thrown, just like our regular heaving line bags.
$195. 24 lbs buoyancy + line. Can be thrown 55-70ft
The Balcan Emergency Life Line BELL was introduced in 1973 and was the first line specifically designed to allow all ages to throw it with great accuracy up to its full length of 40 meters, without preparation, very much further than had previously been possible.
Cost around $70. line only. can be thrown 40M is approx 130ft
ResQmax is new generation line thrower, using patented air thrust technology. As a line deployment device, the ResQmax™ can deliver a variety of line types, depending on the application, over distances up to 400 feet. As a water rescue device, it can deliver an auto-inflating flotation harness and retrieval line to a victim in the water, over distances up to 300 feet.
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| Final Thoughts |
Each of these products have their own merits. Since they are not
expensive compared to the downside I would get more than one. There is
no magic pill so one device will not cover every situation.
I would get a good throw line, which can be used for docking as well.
How many times have you fell short of the dock and a dock line was too
heavy and short to throw to someone.
Then a couple of the throw stick devices and store the on the rail for quick access.
An inflatable device with a line would also be recommended, this way you can
have several products at hand.
Warning, Make sure if you use any of the self inflating devices you get them
inspected every year or two and have spare canisters available. Also flying
with canisters can be a problem.
Look for separate safety news on
getting the
victim back aboard. Its one thing to get them close to the
boat, but as I discovered another thing to get them aboard and this can be
very tiring.
Also look for safety news on Personal locator beacons (PLB's). These can
help you find the MOB is trying conditions, like those where you loose sight
of the victim at night in large waves.
Equipment service centers http://www.usmsa.org/service/stations1.asp
Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association
This link from the NMMA gives US regulations for flotation devices and
insight into the best PFDs, how inflatable work and which type of PDF you
need.
"We are pleased to provide a comprehensive and flexible education
program intended to influence consumer attitudes and behavior concerning PFD
wear. Undertaken by the Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association
(PFDMA) with the support and contributions of numerous representatives from
the boating safety community, this education initiative was made possible
through a grant from the Aquatic Resources (Wallop Breaux) Trust Fund
administered by the United States Coast Guard.
Used
Boat Parts
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Dan
buoys are use to help locate victim day or night
water self inflates producing a tall pole for spotting the Man OverBoard
(MOB). 
The
Life Safer Personal Retriever is a United States Coast Guard (USCG)
approved,
state-of-the-art, throw able Personal Flotation Device (PFD) developed to
enable first responders ashore or afloat the ability to quickly retrieve
people from the water or from frozen rivers, lakes and streams.
Line
Thrower 
