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HANDOUTS

LIFESLING® OWNER’S PREPARATION GUIDE THE CERTIFICATION SERIES books, Basic Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, and Passage Making published by US SAILING.

Developed by and for the Bonnell Cove Foundation's "SUDDENLY ALONE Seminar" which was first presented on April 7, 2001 in Mystic, CT.

This guide describes the five different models of LIFESLINGs available from US Catalogs and Chandlers, their differences and adjustments and installation techniques recommended by the original developer, The Sailing Foundation of The Pacific Northwest in their Lifesling Instructors Clinic Manual, revised in March 1998 an

CHOICES.
1. The original LIFESLING with 21 lbs of buoyancy, equipped with 150 feet of multi-filament polypropylene floating line. Recommended for 30-80 ft sail and powerboats. Meets ORC/ISAF Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) and is USCG approved as a Type V device. (NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION - Replacement Storage Bags and Fiberglass Cases are still available).
2. The smaller, and less expensive LIFESLING 2 with 21 lbs of buoyancy, equipped with 125 feet of multi-filament polypropylene floating retrieving line. Suitable for powerboats with a lifting point 10 ft above the water and sailboats over 20 ft LOA. Meets ISAF OSR and is USCG approved (Type V which substitutes for a Type IV).
3. The LIFESLING 3 with 21 lbs of buoyancy, equipped with 150 feet of retrieval line for larger boats, stainless steel D-rings, SOLAS reflecting tape, and a rugged UV-resistant, fiberglass case. Meets ISAF OSR and is USCG approved for both recreational and commercial vessels (Type V which substitutes for a Type IV) (New in 2006).
4. The LIFESLING for Commercial Vessels is similar to the Original LIFESLING with SOLAS reflective tape added. Meets ISAF OSR and is USCG approved (Type V). Replaces the requirement for a 24 in ring buoy on uninspected commercial vessels that have a hoisting point at least 10 ft above the deck. (Replaced by LIFESLING 3)
5. The LIFESLING INFLATABLE (previously called RESCUESLING and INFLATABLE LIFESLING), equipped with 125 feet of multi-filament yellow polypropylene floating line, thrown like a softball that automatically inflates into a floatation collar with 25 lb buoyancy that functions similar to the original LIFESLING. (Not USCG Approved) (Recalled in 2010 as not in compliance with new West Marine safety standards)
Non inflatable models come in a white stowage bag or a white rigid case that is recommended, especially for offshore use. Rigid case mount kits for rail and bulkhead mountings are extra. The recommended water actuated solid light (non-strobe) is extra. No LIFESLING should have a drogue attached to it. All models of LIFESLING are equally suitable for sail and power boats. Hoisting Tackle for both sail (3:1 tackle for use with a winch) and powerboats (5:1 tackle used without a winch) is available as a LIFESLING accessory.
LIFESLING INSTALLATION ADJUSTMENTS for
Bowline or Lifting Eye. The most important adjustment to any LIFESLING is to have a lifting point that can be reached without leaning over the side of the retrieving vessel. The bowline loop should reach above the deck of your boat so that when the victim is alongside someone can easily reach the loop to connect the lifting hoist without leaning over the side. This usually means adjusting the size of the bowline in the LIFESLING to match your boat’s freeboard at the point where the victim will be hoisted aboard. The new bowline must be taped, seized or sewed so that it does not open inadvertently. An alternate adjustment is to tie an overhand loop for the hoist attachment in the line at the deck edge within easy reach of the person on deck.
Overhand Knots. It is recommended that the owner tie overhand knots in the LIFESLING retrieval line starting at the end of the bowline at nine inch intervals for several feet to a point which is above the lifelines. This enables remaining crew to have grab points for manually pulling the victim up out of the water. It also serves as a warning to the victim that the bowline loop and LIFESLING are approaching as the trailing line is pulled past/around him/her in the water.
Water Activated Light. A water activated solid light (non-strobe) should be attached to the inside of the strap near the towing loops or D rings for the retrieval/trailing line on the front of non inflatable LIFESLINGs. The pocket on the back of the older LIFESLING is no longer recommended for the light.
Length of Retrieval/Trailing Line. The multi-filament polypropylene floating line of each LIFESLING should be approximately three times the length of the boat. If a boat has a wide turning radius a longer length of line may be required. Boats with a tighter turning radius may have to use a shorter length of line to keep from turning into the line before it encircles the victim.
SOLAS Reflective Tape. It is recommended that reflective tape be wrapped completely around the front of the bollards/sides about 2 inches behind the D Rings or towing loops on all LIFESLINGs.
Thigh Strap. A LIFESLING can be modified with the addition of a thigh strap to provide more support for the lower body and legs. An adjustable strap made of 1.5 inch webbing is attached to the D Rings or towing loops of the LIFESLING and run outboard of the sling, where it is held in place by small pieces of velcro. Before the victim is hoisted aboard he/she must pull this webbing from the outer circumference of the LIFESLING and lower it to a point behind the knees, adjusting it as necessary for fit and comfort. This enables the victim to be hoisted aboard in a safer, nearly horizontal position that is also more comfortable than a strictly vertical lift.
Yacht Name. The name of the yacht should be marked on all portable safety equipment, including the LIFESLING.
LIFESLING INSTALLATION TIPS for
Attachment. The LIFESLING container or bag should be attached to a stern pulpit or bulkhead,
Stowed ready to deploy. The retrieval/trailing line should be inserted without kinks or twists into the ‘stuff bag’ in the LIFESLING container or bag, starting with the end closest to the attachment point on the boat and ending at the bowline loop attached to the LIFESLING. Care must be taken that the retrieval/trailing line tied to the boat and leading into the container or bag is entirely covered by the UV cover sewed over its bitter end.
LIFESLING HOISTING TACKLE.
Updated July 26, 2010
There are five Lifesling ® models in use in the US. all models. all models. inside the rail, within easy reach of the helmsman doing the recovery. The trailing line coming from the inside of the container or bag should be attached to an onboard cleat or other strong towing point. If a bowline must be taped, seized or sewed so that it cannot be open inadvertently. When choosing the attachment point consideration should be given to the fact that the remaining crew must be able to reach the point and pull in the trailing line, possibly with the aid of an installed winch.
Block and Tackle for Sailboats.
The following requirements must be considered when selecting the lifting tackle for a sailboat: A 3 or 4-to-1 block and tackle is recommended. In most situations a mechanical advantage is necessary to lift a wet person (who may weight 250-300 lbs) out of the water. Quite often 3-to-1 is not sufficient and 4-to-1 is needed.
The fall line used in this equipment must be long enough to allow the upper block to be hoisted a minimum of 10 ft above the deck and still be threaded/reeved through one or more turning blocks to the largest cockpit winch or the anchor windlass.
In addition, a tail long enough to take at least 3 turns on the drum of the winch or windlass before securing it to a cleat must be allowed on the fall line. (On a 40 foot boat the total length of the fall line can easily reach 100 ft.)
This line should have a large enough diameter to hold without slipping in any self-tailing winch that may be used in the rescue.
The fall line must exit the upper block which should be distinctly marked or painted (red recommended).
The lower block should have a snap shackle or carabiner that easily attaches to the Lifesling retrieval line and any harness likely to be used on the boat.