WSI, RPG and ICON present: The SnoBall 500

[Donk74]

Kanakry & World Tour

I know we have a busy schedule Friday night & Sat morning but might it be worth while to set up a quick 15 - 20 min review of safe recovery procedures for the group B4 we head out? Sounds like we might have enough new people between drivers and Co-drivers that a quick how to demo might be good.

What do you guys think? I'd even volunteer to help put it together, though I reserve the right to recruit others fire help.

 

[Kanakry]

Scott,
I totally agree that some sort of overview is in order. I will add it to my list of stuff to cover.

 

[shooterAMG]

I've been gritting my teeth ever since the kinetic rope was brought up. Now safety was brought up, I work for a company that is safety first, no exceptions. That being said, kinetic ropes are extremely dangerous do the streching like a rubberband. I spend 5 years in the US Navy and that was very big with them also, with the rubberband effect. I personally have seen what can happen when something lets go, they snap back like a rubberband and at extreme force. I used to work with someone that had a towhook break when using one of these and the rope with part of hook riding along went through the back window of his truck at fractured his skull. He lived but lost an eye. The regular tow straps do not snap back like the kinetic ropes making them much safer. Just don't want anyone hurt do to use of these. Yes they pull out very well, but, there is danger with them. Anyone that wants to dispute this first go online and do a search on "kinetic rope injuries".
Now i'll get off of my high horse and let anyone beat me up for this that wants to, but please do the search and read.

I'm with ya' Brd. I think people take this stuff lightly sometimes, and it's no joke. I'm not a HUGE fan of the kinetic ropes, but I think they have a place in our tool box. IMHO, they are a last resort.

Recovery is dynamic and everyone has opinions generally on how to do it. IMHO, safety should be first. So I'm opinionated about recovery and probably am more gun shy than most.


I think Donk said we should do a recovery safety briefing. I agree, but let's do it once we get into the forest. We'll probably be stopping for pee breaks and scouting, so let's plan a 10 minute recovery demo out there. Just a thought.


Todd

 

[6.2]

I have on occasion needed to use my bubba rope, when a straight pull with a strap didn't get the job done. Kinetic ropes are very useful. Saying they are dangerous is correct, but so is a strap.

If used properly, neither will give you any issues.

Make sure the equipment is good, and the trucks tow points are solid, not rusted or tweaked and you will be fine.

 

[Hockster]

Well, its way way more dangerous to drive in a vehicle to where we are going... I surely dont worry about a strap breaking and killing me...

 

[shooterAMG]

[VIMEO][/VIMEO]

Well, its way way more dangerous to drive in a vehicle to where we are going... I surely dont worry about a strap breaking and killing me...

Respectfully disagree Hockster. You're more likely to be killed driving a car than shooting clay pigeons with your buddies, but that's doesn't mean you don't adhere to proper gun handling skills. My kids have never electrocuted themselves, but we still have safety plugs in. Just because it's not likely doesn't mean it's not a threat.


Hit a tree in your Raptor and you have steel, airbags and a seatbelt to protect you. Yank a tow hook out and it rockets to your head and all you have it faith and good luck to protect you.


/End of soap box

 

[Donk74]

Yea, generally speaking recovery is a non issue when done correctly. Unfortunately when done carelessly people can get hurt.

I'm not talented enough to post a video link. But if you've ever seen the Top Gear (BBC not the crappy American one) were they're trekking through the desert it has a perfect example of how not to use a tow strap. If i remember correctly Jeremy ends up with a few broken ribs. One if the few not funny parts of that show.

As far as a safety orientation I was thinking we could set up a couple pairs of truck to show how to connect & use the different types of Straps, winches / come along... Then just walk folks through in a couple smaller groups. We could do the same thing at the trail head if you all think that would be better.

 

[Squatting Dog]

I definitely think it is a good idea to use/practice before we reach any one track trail and have a chain reaction of stuck vehicles.

-Greg

 

[MTUH3]

All this safety talk make me glad the Raptor has closed tow / recovery points. Also, this might be in the first post... but D-rings with a strap / rope / winch cable is 10000x better than a hook of any sort.

 

[Hockster]

Wow, I have to say I have never felt even close to death when helping people out of a troubled situation... and I have pulled out some crazy stuck trucks... I can surely say that I have never had this much discussion about it either... ha ha ha
I do everything safely unless I have to get my ass out of something I got into and there is no other way.. I can/will do it as safely as I can so if you feel I am endangering your life while helping just say so and ill stop...