Must Have Kayak Safety Gear "Kayaking Safety Tip #04" 

Wade, I saw this video recently and made one. Paddling on New Years day, someone swam and was heading towards a dam, I deployed this and they didn't go over the dam. Thanks for the video, they make a difference!

Thank you so much, Wade! I have been looking for just this and so glad you had this tutorial available. I've been contemplating getting a tow tether, but was not convinced that was what I truly wanted/needed. This makes so much more sense and has so many more uses. I can't thank you enough! Just made mine this morning =) Thanks, again!

Well said! Thank you.

Great article wade. I only carry a closed loop sling with one crab in my NRS front pocket. Used plenty of times to rescue loose kayak and portaging. Also carry a 5metre tape for close rescues.

Heck yes! More slings! I run with nearly the same thing. However, I used a long nylon climbing runner and cut it in half.

Palm snake sling with locking carabiners (and a safety knife) in my PFD.

Certain guides/swiftwater rescue instructors train to run a sling with a carabiner around the waist. Commonly referred to as a guide belt. I prefer your method because it is less likely to catch on something. My concern if you are swimming and make a Hail Mary move climb up over a log, I don't want a carabiner catching on a branch. Yes, you should never find yourself in this situation, but you never know. Your safety equipment shouldn't decrease your safety. This sling and carabiners looks good for "walking the dog". Glad to see that your lockers are locked. It looks like you are running nylon tubular webbing. Very robust and easy to tie knots in. This is the same as what I use. If you want super light weight you go for a Dyneema sewn sling. It will be strong and light. Dyneema doesn't work well with knots, so you won't be able to create the same configuration shown. You will want to get the right size. Ie. 60 cm, 120 cm, 240cm, etc.

Years ago I used the exact same set up you describe, it was great for the utility but fell short for anchors (big trees/boulders on a lot of pnw rivers). Recent years I switched to 20ft of the same 5/8th webbing rolled in the chest pocket. Covers nearly all practical anchors and can do most of the utility, especially useful for a quick toss. But it's cumbersome having 20ft for the sketchy boat exit or portage assist, and forget about towing. I totally forgot about the hidden pocket on the hustler pfd, think ill have to make a short strap to tuck in there and carry both. Thanks for the video and sharing the good tips!

I never even carried one until i saw this video and now i have one just like yours. I also saw the other video where you were talking about not wearing a biner on a vest. Ive ran one on my vest for years with no problems and disagreed with the video. By the end of the video i was convinced that i should remove that from my vest and store it in a better place. Its now in a pocket. These videos are very helpful. Thank you very much for looking deep into your crystal ball and sharing the wisdom.

Great stuff man. I can't tell you the number of times over the years I've had to tell someone to chill with the 70ft throwbag and just tossed someone the end of my sling, or used my sling to clip onto something . KISS... always KISS!

6" = 1.8m For all the Europeans out there 😁 Love watching the channel.

great useful video, thanks for sharing with us

Love it. I use sewn runners that do basically the same thing. Nice thing is the sewn runner lay flat where the knot is.

Great info my friend!! I just did a video on carabiners when kayak fishing and went over why to use locking carabiners only. Safety is always a top priority for me too!! That video will release in a couple weeks.

Even with a tow tether, I would always carry an extra biner with a 3/8 inch Dyneema sling that was about 4 ft long. It is smaller and lighter than the webbing and holds 4000+ lbf without needing a knot. The Bluewater is about 2000 lbf before tying the knot and probably 1200 lbf after. The Bluewater weighs about 74g where the Dyneema is about 35g. With the complete loop, you also eliminate the need for the second carabiner in most situations as you can quickly attach with a Larks Head to a boat or do a simple basket anchor with one biner.

Bit of a rope/knot nerd myself. There are options to attach the caribeaner with no loop needed. Also other options for building an anchor. But the basics of this are on point and in my opinion a standard piece of gear

I got the Trango react locking carabiners and the fit easily into the hustler side pocket. There a little cheaper than the Superflys. Love your videos man, thanks for all the info!

I use a 9mm (I think) cordalette with two locking biners and I stuff it where the fleece hand pocket is on the green jacket and it stays there very nicely; hasn’t come loose yet. Very accessible too!!

my 2 vest are Kokatat , I use a sling myself I have a 3 carabiners on mine one on each end and another about 2 foot down, which I clip for a shoulder sling, so I can slide it off by just dropping my arm down if I need to.

Dear Wade, Merry Christmas ....🌟 👍

That webbing is the shit. Me and my guys at work carry slightly wider webbing in our turnout gear. The way we use it is to create a big loop by tying the two ends together with a water knot. You can use it to carry equipment up ladders, for hasty rescue/repelling harness, or for anchors when we rig rope rescue systems. Really, the uses are only limited to your imagination. 4 guys with webbing and carabiners can come up with some really interesting uses for it in a pinch.

Nice 🤙🏽

I don't carry a sling like that. But I will now. I have a lot of 1 inch strap and a lot of biners. Nice piece of kit

I like a longer line so its easier to walk my boat in the water from shore if I have to. Same concept. Smiles

Tow teacher, I still want to be able to clip into something on the fly ,one handed, ultra fast.... And 20+ feet of ultra light line in the chest pocket for slightly more complicated and longer issues, most of which you state, lowering, portage, Anker, micro throw bag...

Down with tethers, long live the Harrison sling. Have a stash slot on my ninja where I will add one, thanks

Wade I used mine yesterday and one of the TRANGO carabiners wouldn't open until we wacked it on some rock... just a reminder to check them once in awhile before needing them.

The sling is where it’s at!

Using tape as an anchor it is recommended to use a carabiner. Tape against tape under tension could result in weakening the tape which might later fail.

Only thing I would change is the square knot on a bight to a figure 8 on a bight. The figure 8 has a higher Kn rating. But I am partial to it from climbing.

Any problem with losing it when it is tucked behind the main jacket pad. Had a cup of coffee while I watched this one ;)

I’m over here watching this and my wife is next to me and all she heard was when it gets wet it gets tight and she’s like what are you watching 😂

Is there a certain brand of carabiner you recommend?

Man I’ve already got 2 inch loops on the side of my head 😂 I’m a walking sling yeeyee

I’ve tried to use this setup with my HusleR but I can’t get even my smallest locking biner in the slip of the pocket. It’s too small. Anyone else have this problem? I don’t want to cut any stitches for fear that the whole thing will unravel.

Z drag is all you need. If a z drag won't work then it's not coming out.