Recoveries. IMPORTANT READ.
Posted: August 10th, 2011, 6:19 amThe last time I was wheeling, someone needed the strap. When he pulled his out, it had hooks on the ends, then I noticed zero recovery points on the vehicle.
Both are major fails. But why?
The lack of recovery points, is not only a major pain in the ass, it is a major safety issue, for both you, the vehicles, and then, the recovery equipment is often, next to worthless after the recovery. What often happens when rigging to a non recovery point is that you tend rip shit apart. Bumpers go flying, axles get ripped out of their mounts, straps get torn, etc... Then people get in the way of these flying objects.... you get the idea. Remember, the strap holds a lot of kinetic energy.... and can launch very heavy objects like a wrist rocket does to a small rock! Then... this leads perfectly into the second fail... hooks on a snatch strap. Because the strap holds a lot of energy, you don't want one of those hooks to fail and create a missile with the remainder of the hook. Think about it.
So... we pulled my strap, hooked him up, and yanked him out.
Okay.... so what's the lesson here?
1. Always carry *your own* snatch strap (one without hooks, just the looped ends).
2. Carry at least two serviceable and correctly rated shackles/d-rings for the rigging).
2. Always have real recovery points, front and rear.
3. Hook up your own side, then inspect the other side. Make sure you believe it is safe and will not damage either vehicle.
4. Turn down your music and pay attention during all aspects of the recovery.... both the recover-er and recover-ee.
Okay... done bitching, go back to your regularly scheduled events!
Both are major fails. But why?
The lack of recovery points, is not only a major pain in the ass, it is a major safety issue, for both you, the vehicles, and then, the recovery equipment is often, next to worthless after the recovery. What often happens when rigging to a non recovery point is that you tend rip shit apart. Bumpers go flying, axles get ripped out of their mounts, straps get torn, etc... Then people get in the way of these flying objects.... you get the idea. Remember, the strap holds a lot of kinetic energy.... and can launch very heavy objects like a wrist rocket does to a small rock! Then... this leads perfectly into the second fail... hooks on a snatch strap. Because the strap holds a lot of energy, you don't want one of those hooks to fail and create a missile with the remainder of the hook. Think about it.
So... we pulled my strap, hooked him up, and yanked him out.
Okay.... so what's the lesson here?
1. Always carry *your own* snatch strap (one without hooks, just the looped ends).
2. Carry at least two serviceable and correctly rated shackles/d-rings for the rigging).
2. Always have real recovery points, front and rear.
3. Hook up your own side, then inspect the other side. Make sure you believe it is safe and will not damage either vehicle.
4. Turn down your music and pay attention during all aspects of the recovery.... both the recover-er and recover-ee.
Okay... done bitching, go back to your regularly scheduled events!
