kill cords

apples · 20 March 2013, 05:22

I think everyone agrees they should be used, but differing opinions about how & where to attach.
around the wrist
around the leg
to clothing
to lj harness
i personally favour attaching to life jacket harness & it allso ensures that is
then 2 jobs you have done.
pb2 instructors usually say around leg but i find this awkward & restrictive.
OK that should be enough to get the ball rolling, what does the forum think ? i am sure opinion will be very mixed

Leapy · 20 March 2013, 05:43

I find around the leg takes up too much of the kill cord length and so restricts your movement or risks inadvertent engine kill. Around the wrist limits arm movement and gets in the way.

I go for attached to the LJ harness

John Kennett · 20 March 2013, 07:19

Leg works for me. Never had a problem and keeps it out of the way.

thomas · 20 March 2013, 08:13

Leg, wrist or harness risk being snagged and not working - so I was to on my pb2.

Leapy · 20 March 2013, 08:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomas

Leg, wrist or harness risk being snagged and not working

Where should you put it then?

jambo · 20 March 2013, 08:48

Tried them all and found leg and s restrictive do harness for me.

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

Leapy · 20 March 2013, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo

Tried them all and found leg and s restrictive do harness for me.

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

Try again, Billy ... looks like it's cold up there this morning and the fingers are having trouble with the iPhone keys

ppenman · 20 March 2013, 09:19

I use it round my leg. I've had it slip off my wrist in the past when I hit a large bow wash in a small sib and I was nearly thrown out. I've never tried using my LJ, guess I'll try that next time out.

kerny · 20 March 2013, 09:22

Leg works fine for me.

harryesd · 20 March 2013, 09:28

If you buy one of those Divers leg lanyards and put that on first, the kill cord stays at its full length, giving you all the freedom you need.
You can http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Divers-Qui...item3a79548387get them on ebay

thomas · 20 March 2013, 09:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leapy

Where should you put it then?

Round the leg, can see the way I worded my reply it could have meant either.

There was also discussion into weather one that snaps is a good or bad thing.

Poly · 20 March 2013, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Leg works for me. Never had a problem and keeps it out of the way.

Yeah but knee height for you is waste height for normal people!

Quote:

Originally Posted by harryesd

If you buy one of those Divers leg lanyards and put that on first, the kill cord stays at its full length, giving you all the freedom you need.

You effectively extrend the length of the kill cord though. Which means it takes longer to "trigger" in the event of MOB and makes it possible for you to be thrown from your seat and the cord not activate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomas

There was also discussion into weather one that snaps is a good or bad thing.

One that snaps before it unclips the kill switch is definitely not a good thing.

Personally I tend to go round the leg, but I think it does depend on the boat layout, height of seat / switch etc. The correct answer is:

The place you will use it where it has the least risk of failing.

Starovich · 20 March 2013, 10:40

It depends on the helm position, and control mechanism. I find on Sibs (tiller steered) on my steering wrist is favored, depending on the relative position of the attachment point Harness/LJ Straps or Leg can be favored.
TBH is wherever is most practical, as long as its worn

Mextli · 20 March 2013, 10:57

I have a small velcro band attached to my kill cord.

On my SIB i have it around my wrist, it won't slip off if you tighten it properly

On my RIB i have it around the leg, since the leg sits beside the control box.

treerat · 20 March 2013, 11:01

On the SIB it was around the ankle, with the wetsuit boots velcro securing as well as the clip.

On the rib it's onto the LF front d ring.

I find these allow goor freedom of movement but not enought to stop the thing working.

JamesF · 20 March 2013, 11:04

Another for "it depends".

On the SR4s, where the controls and seat are comparatively low I prefer the buoyancy aid webbing strap.

On the Ribcraft 4.8, the controls are much higher up and closer, and it's easier to get the cord wrapped around the wheel; I'd be more inclined to clip it around the top of my leg, although in practice I usually end up with it on the buoyancy aid anyway out of habit.

Apart from the control positions, the other difference is that in the SR4s you can be a useful safety crew while still sitting at the helm; I find it more convenient on the buoyancy aid than around the leg for that. The Ribcraft is getting big enough that the helm has to rely on the crew more to sort out whatever you've come alongside, so it makes less difference where it's clipped on.

jambo · 20 March 2013, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leapy

Try again, Billy ... looks like it's cold up there this morning and the fingers are having trouble with the iPhone keys

Don't tell anybody but driving doesn't help!!

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

harryesd · 20 March 2013, 11:19

I cant leave my seat without it activating, and as i instruct in water rescue and have done dozens of MOB in a week, let alone the 35yrs since i done my weeks course at fort Bovisand i find it works for me and my co crewman with his 28" girth leg.

dougcrock · 20 March 2013, 11:20

once broke the red plastic one cold and UV degrade them now use dog lead (since 1998 no probs) round leg it allows movement and prevents unintended stops which can be sore on crew as they hit windscreen

SPR · 20 March 2013, 13:04

NEVER put Kill cord around wrist , unless you are using a Velcro band thingy that PWC's use.

The chances it will unloop it self is very high overwise making it useless.

there are cheap kill cords in the market that don't have string inside them, the advice is buy from a good dealer / original manu kill cord.

I would never extend one , since you are tampering with a safety bit of kit and if there was an accident and it failed - you could be held liable.

s.