[Paddlewise] Tethers (was Speaking of Safety)

Tom said:

Reading Chris Duff's On Celtic Tides, I was intrigued by the tethering
system he used.  <snip>
Has anyone else used Duff's system, or thought about it and rejected it?

Tom,
I've been playing with tethers for a number of years, as well as
researched and wrote an article for SK Mag on the subject. I am well
aware of the benefits and precautions with especially person-to-boat
tethers.

Chris Duff's parameters are similar to mine in terms of intended use and
alternatively, when to avoid their use. Surf is not a place for any kind
of loose tether/rope situation, and so would normally not be employed.
Longer crossing and exposed headlands or stiff offshore breezes would be
a time when personal tethers would be an option. I say "option" because
it is an extremely individual matter, with some experts strongly arguing
against personal tethers -- though paddle tethers are much more commonly
accepted. Personal tethers are also a safety item (when used correctly
and appropriately rigged) for the solo paddler, adding a margin of
safety. Imagine being in a big sea where you have bailed on a blown
roll, only to have your boat snapped away by another wave. Darn, a BCU
failure point -- though much worse in this scenario.

Chris generally uses his personal tether in conditions beyond 20 knots
if I remember correctly. His arrangement for circumnavigating Ireland
was to connect a length of 1" webbing from the stern to just behind his
back, at which point a wider webbed belt with a quick release buckle was
then attached to the line. This allowed Chris the ability to put the
belt on or easily remove it subject to his requirements. The length of
webbing was calculated so as not to interfere with the cockpit or
reentry maneuvers. The system is simple and easily put together for
items sold at most outdoor stores or canvas awning repair shops.

For Chris's New Zealand trip, he reversed the arrangement such that the
webbing was attached to the bow of the boat, then ran back to the belt
with some slack. This allowed Chris, I believe, to more easily retrieve
or store the belt under his front shock cords rather than reaching
around behind him and/or always worrying if the arrangement was trailing
behind him in the water. The fixture as arranged for both trips, was a
permanent part of his kit and always attached to the grab loop.

Having said all this, keeping one's boat after a bailout, and then
having the skills to get back in, in the conditions that knocked you
over, are two different matters. Chris fought a desperate fight off New
Zealand during strong offshore winds that threatened to blow him out to
sea. Knowing you are attached to your boat is atleast one less worry.

As with any gear involving tethers, you must approach the issue with
intelligence, testing, and possible modification. And it is still an
extremely important skill to be able to wet exit in all conditions,
while retaining your boat and paddle. Perfect that, then move on to
redundant backups. A coast guard member once told me a maxim of
seafarers is to never get separated from your boat or give it up, if its
still floating. A tether may help achieve that objective.

I use a different system, that utilizes my short tow system with yellow
"see-in-the-water-visibility" (I have a long-tow system too). This helps
preserve Audrey Sutherland's sense of making one item serve many
purposes, something I've had to do to retain at least a bit of buoyancy
in my heavy Nordkapp :-)

Doug Lloyd (currently tethered to his bed in bloody bandages)

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