[Paddlewise] Safety Tether - 60cm climbing runner; large "paddling" carbinger

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This is what the lead instructor at the University of Minnesota - Duluth
Outdoor education program showed recently at a kayak towing and rescue
class.

1. A 60 cm (centimeter) open climbing runner used by rock climbers attached
to his PFD
    He said he received it free from one of his rock climbing friends; as I
do not rock climb, 
    I am not quite sure what this was; I assume it was an open runner that
attaches to the rock 
    climber's gear; in the event of a fall, it provides a shock cord. 
   
	 Can any rock climbers/kayakers provide a better description? 
 
    I noticed REI sells these open runners in various lengths, including 60
cm. 

2.  A large carbinger - a paddling carbinger; larger than any carbinger I
have seen
    (but then again, I do not rock climb although I use climbing gear when
working on roofs       
     His carbinger is large enough to clip around the shaft of a paddle; it
can then be a 
     paddle leash.  I have not found a carbinger yet that is as large as his
"paddle" carbinger.

These items can also form a short two line, secure another kayak when
rafting, etc. 
These are on my lists of items to purchase this Fall and Winter.   

-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Gibbs [mailto:garygibbs_at_ameritech.net]
Subject: [Paddlewise] Safety Tether


Does anyone on this list use safety tethers to tie themselves to their
kayak?

What are the pros or cons of personal safety tethers used in non-surf
conditions?
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