How to use a Safety Throw rope

Does anyone here know how to use them?  While I know how to use on in a river situation, I have no direct experience actually using one on the ocean.

-Allen

I always have mine with me now, and I practice throwing it each time I cleanup gear.  I fill it with fresh water, dump that out and then throw it to expose it all before leaving it in the afternoon sun to dry.  I plan to make a demo video soon.  Mine is easily hucked 50'.  These ones (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=49703.0) don't look as heavy duty, but for under $10 including shipping it's a great deal even if they're basic. 

It was about $18-$19 for 3 of them including shipping.

I always have mine with me now, and I practice throwing it each time I cleanup gear.  I fill it with fresh water, dump that out and then throw it to expose it all before leaving it in the afternoon sun to dry.

Fill it with fresh water with the rope still in it?  Is that to rinse it off as part of the cleanup?  Not required in an actual rescue ...   

-Allen

Yeah, just rinsing it.

Here's what keeps running through my head in a situation.

1) Toss the throw bag with rope in it.  It neatly comes out of the bag as it soars to the victim.  Nice!
2) Miss the victim entirely.  Now what?  Pull bag back in.  No weight to re-throw it.  Hmmm ... fill bag with water and throw again.  Score!
3) Start pulling victim out of the danger zone, only to discover that I'm getting pulled toward him.  Damn!
4) I know.  I'll tow him out.  Darn, where do I attach to?  And I really wish I had a safety release setup.
5) ...

Lots of variables to work with here.  It's one thing to have the gear, it's another thing to know what to do with it.

-Allen

Good post Allen and answers Eric. hopefully we never have to use one, but it would be nice to know what to do with it, I like the idea of throwing after cleaning to just stay in practice.
Jeff

Good points, Allen.  I'd say having one and practicing with it - including OTW - are good first steps and should lead to some answers to your questions.

Here's a link to the one I have:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/STEARNS-Throw-Bag-wRescue-Rope-2FLK4?gclid=CI6Eg7_e5LkCFZRj7AodDEMAfA&cm_mmc=PPC:GooglePLA-_-Safety-_-Water%20Safety-_-2FLK4&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=2FLK4&ef_id=UkHj6QAABCYVgWKA:20130924191137:s

Jimbo's link looks like a great deal, and I look forward to comparing that product with what I have now.

Good points, Allen.  I'd say having one and practicing with it - including OTW - are good first steps and should lead to some answers to your questions.

Well, I do.  And I do think I have some answers to my questions.  Unfortunately the answers do not involve a throw bag when on the ocean.  But I'd like to hear others' thoughts before I go there.

-Allen

Additional uses:
1 Can also be used to hanging any crab thief caught during the season! 
2 Throw to boat for getting pulled to safety at MBK!
3 Hanging suit after get done fishing to dry

Good points, Allen.  I'd say having one and practicing with it - including OTW - are good first steps and should lead to some answers to your questions.

Well, I do.  And I do think I have some answers to my questions.  Unfortunately the answers do not involve a throw bag when on the ocean.  But I'd like to hear others' thoughts before I go there.

-Allen

My thought is to throw & hopefully hit the target.  If you miss, I'd suggest circling the "target" much like the way a 'Lifesling' is used or a ski tow rope.  Just my humble thoughts on the situation.  As for attaching to your own yak, I'd think a snap shackle would be ideal since it should be released under a load if something were to go wrong.

~Bill

Do all throw bags float?

Normally the line is poly so it will float (should).

Normally the line is poly so it will float (should).

So that means not all bags are equal, for certain bags contain floating material inside the bag while others don't.

The line MUST float.  What good is a safety line if it sinks?  Even more dangerous on a river.  If I recall correctly, all the throwbags I've even owned/used do not do anything particular to make them float.  The floating rope was enough to float them.

-Allen

Sounds the way I remember them.