THROWING A LIFE LINE -

THROWING A LIFE LINE - Be able to throw a life line with reasonable accuracy. All Scout camp and other Scout “swimming holes”, should, like public swimming pools, be equipped with a life line and lifebuoy, hanging on the pegs of a conveniently placed post; and Scout Be Prepared -ness should includethe ability to throw these. Life lines usually are of half-inch hemp or manila rope, the length depending upon the distance concerned. The Test For this test a rope between 30 and 50 feet in length should beused; and the thrower should place the bowline loop within grasping reach of the “person in difficulty” four times out of five; any kink spoiling a throw. The line always should be pliable and free of kinks. To assure this, and whether kept coiled on a peg or otherwise, the line should regularly be taken down and thrown a few times, then carefully re-coiled. Life lines at public swimming pools sometimes have a weighted end, for throwing. These, however, can be dangerous in the hands of an inexpert rescuer. It is safer to make a bowline in one end of the line, with the advantage that this loop can be grasped readily by the person being rescued, and probably drawn over his head and shoulder, which makes his rescue sure. Coiling a Life Line It is most important that a life line be properlycoiled. To do this (having first made a bowline), hold the bowline in the left hand, as the first coil. Now, with a twisting overhand movement (to equalize kink tendency when thrown), add turn against turn until completed. Now turn the coil completely around, so that the bowline is in the right hand, and divide it, holding two thirds in the right hand, the balance in the left, the end securely gripped, or better yet, tied to a post or tree.  Throwing

With a single, long under-arm swing (no whirling about thehead), heave the coil, aiming at a point directly beyond the person in difficulty-

unless there is a current to allow for-at the same time opening the left hand

to allow that portion of the line to run free. (For a left-handed Scout the procedure

would be reversed.

After Use

Dry line before re-coiling.

New Rope

A new rope will require stretching. This may be done by tyingit at a “reaching” height between two suitably spaced trees, then hanging on

it. As it stretches it is tightened, until the stretch limit has been reached.