Re: [Paddlewise] Knife Tethers

>I see a lot of kayakers and canoeists with mounted river knives high up on
>their PFDs, near their collar bone area. The knives are typically the
>pointed survival type. I question, in particular, this mounting location.
>If the handle of the knife is pointed down, it is entirely conceivable that
>during an emergency, it would be possible to draw the knife out in a wide
>arc and slash your leg.
            Possible, but I think you'd have to work at it.  That's how I
carry mine.  The scabbard of my (early) Gerber is locked into a lashtab on
my pfd.  It can be grasped readily by either hand.  When I do remove it
(fortunately, mostly for cutting away monfilament fishing line from
overhanging trees....) my motion is always outward and forward.  I don't
come anywhere near my face,  and certainly not my legs.

>Conversely, with the handle mounted upward,......
        I find that difficult to imagine, and I would guess that it would be
difficult to grasp the handle safely.

> Another location for mounting is down low, handle downward.

    The lash tab is some distance down my pfd from the shoulder so that the
entire knife is flat against the pfd.
I also use, for some other pfds, an "Action Jackson" from Nantahala Outdoor
Center.  This is a hook & loop strap with a lash tab that wraps around the
shoulder extension of the pfd.  Using this I can readily transfer a knife
from one pfd to another when I shift from one kind of water to another.
(Ralph Diaz please copy...)

    WRT using a knife to cutting someone out of his sprayskirt;  There was a
ww incident wherein a rescuer ried to do so, and inadvertently cut open the
victim's leg.  It was at least contributory to the fatal outcome.  If you
must do so, cut the sprayskirt BEHIND the victim, rather than in front.

    One item of rescue gear I also carry is a Gerber Saw.  It's cheap, cuts
on the pull stroke, and will readily cut through a kayak.  Unfortunately,
cheapness also means it can rust so I keep it in a waterproof carrier with
other rescue gear.

JP


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