www.whetmanequipment.com
By Philip Carr
www.unsponsored.co.uk
When I became a raft guide in the late 90s, the way in which we were taught to right an upturned raft posed significant danger. It basically meant utilising the drain holes in the raft by sticking your finger through and using your knees to flip the raft. Get it wrong and you would be seriously hurt. So I am thankful that using a flip line to right a raft is now the default technique being taught and is used by the vast majority of guides.
Whetman Equipment Python 5m
We are now starting to see these types of lines carried by kayakers and canoeists as a way of getting extra reach in rescue situations without deploying a throwline or for setting up Z-Drag systems. I would highly recommend that all paddlers have one of these and spend some time learning how to use it effectively and safely.
In the past I used to make my own line using climbing tape. The length of the climbing tape depends upon personal preference but would usually be 3-5 metres long. To create a loop for the carabiner a small loop needed to be tied in the end of the tape. That loop needs to be pretty small so the carabiner stays put in the loop and doesn’t spin around. The knot was always the weakest pint and needed to be tied using a knot that would not slip. The DIY ones work OK but a system which has a loop stitched into it is a much better idea.
Palm Equipment, Peak UK and Whetman Equipment all make rescue tapes that have sewn in loops. However, Whetman Equipment has taken the design one stage further by adding a super strong stainless steel ring – the same sort of ring you find on a rescue PFD for a Cow Tail.
marine grade
The Python 5m ring sling as Whetman calls it has been constructed from webbing tape has also been tested and rated with a breaking strain in excess of 10kn. The webbing features a 6mm marine grade stainless steel ring on one end and the opposite end incorporates a sewn eyelet, which is ideal for the positioning of an HMS Carabiner.
The one pictured here has a DMM Boa carabiner installed, which is a fairly large, but relatively light screw gate carabiner. I use an elastic band to keep the Python coiled, tidy ready for use. I can also use the band to fix the carabiner to a paddle blade if I need to get extra reach. You can also see a Whetman Krab Stick attached to the carabiner. This allows the gate to be kept open during a long reach rescue.
I personally carry my tape in coiled up in my PFD front pocket but some guides wear their tapes around their waist. You do need to ensure that the tape does not create a snag hazard. Kayakers can tuck the tape in between their skirt tunnel and cag outer waist. This keeps the tape out of the way but easily at hand.
The great thing about gear like this is the fact it has multiple uses. For kayakers and canoeists, it can be used for setting up a tow, Z Drags, Pig Rigs, short reach rescues, anchor points and even to tie down boat to a rack in an emergency.
