Thread: Another snatch strap death

Originally Posted by trout1105

[...]
Apparently some of us here are not stupid or drunk enough to go places where 70T recovery gear is needed because we have too much respect for our vehicles and we Know their limitations.

I have said to my 10yr old son a few times, “Mate, if you knew or expected some activity was likely to result in an accident - its no accident if something bad happens. It’s a plan”
(in a context where he may be horsing around and likely to get hurt...me suggesting if he did get hurt it wasn’t an accident in the circumstances )

In a similar vein - Regarding anyone deliberately tackling really hard stuff (not necessarily stupid or drunk) knowing they could get stuck - getting stuck then is hardly an accident, it’s more plan. And hopefully they planned for that possibility.

What about the the rest of us? Any chance of some accident, some error, occurring and getting somewhat terribly stuck despite all intentions otherwise?

Unless you are perfect, all the time, and an accident or misjudgement could NEVER happen to you.... yeah. Maybe there is a chance of getting stuck even if you are not “stupid or drunk enough” to tackle hard core stuff.

Originally Posted by trout1105

Of course many of us don't venture into areas that we know from experience that ordinary recoveries won't work because we choose not to and many of us travel solo as well.
[...]

Any chance of some accident, some error, occurring and getting somewhat terribly stuck despite all intentions otherwise?

Unless you are perfect, all the time, and an accident or misjudgement could NEVER happen to you.... yeah. Maybe there is a chance of getting stuck even if you are not “stupid or drunk enough” to tackle hard core stuff.

Originally Posted by tact

Any chance of some accident, some error, occurring and getting somewhat terribly stuck despite all intentions otherwise?

Unless you are perfect, all the time, and an accident or misjudgement could NEVER happen to you.... yeah. Maybe there is a chance of getting stuck even if you are not “stupid or drunk enough” to tackle hard core stuff.

Nobody is "Perfect" and Yes I have got myself stuck on many occasions over the years either from lack of experience or simply pushing my luck too far.
I have found that by learning from my mistakes has helped me not to repeat them and has given me the knowledge/experience to be able to get myself and others out of many sticky situations, I have been driving 4WD's for about 30 odd years now.
I never intentionally seek out the "hard core Stuff" and I am quite happy to look for the easiest route to where I want to go and go around an obstacle or a boggy area whenever I can.
Personally I cannot see the point in flogging the guts out of my 4WD just to climb a particular hill or to cross some swamp just to impress people or to prove a point, That is Not my "Bag".
Recoveries are something I do because I HAVE to and are not something I relish doing because Every recovery regardless of how simple it appears to be has the potential to go pear shaped and has the potential to damage machinery and people so I try my very best to avoid situations where a recovery is likely.

Originally Posted by Eevo

recovery isnt taught enough.
most 4wd courses ive looked at wont allow it due to insurance.
and it seems that everyone has a different view on recovery and whats safe.

where can i go to improve my recovery skills?

I think there is a lot to be learnt here from the numerous good sources.

I also hear that a lot of long standing structured 4wd clubs do recovery training.

I have a background in mechanical engineering as do some others here seemingly, plus rockclimbing/canyoning/abseiling training and experience, some lifting experience, load restraint training and experience, read thousands of 4wd magazines, probably more. Watched a fair few utube fails! Knowing how angles of things affects forces, factors of safety, safety precautions, can come from a variety of sources.

But if you keep looking for 4wd recovery specific knowledge and learn to sort the good from bad info, surely its there to be found?

Originally Posted by Eevo

recovery isnt taught enough.
most 4wd courses ive looked at wont allow it due to insurance.
and it seems that everyone has a different view on recovery and whats safe.

where can i go to improve my recovery skills?

I learn it from seniors. Aka grumpy old man. I did a couple of recovery courses run by my 4wd club.

I learn the usual stuffs then how to recover a roll over car.

I think the key is to keep practising recovery under supervision at least once every three years. Even if you believe you know all about recovery already. Just to make it a muscle memory so you can still function when in panic

Originally Posted by Eevo

where can i go to improve my recovery skills?

Hi,
My son gets to recover vehicles using gear supplied.

Yep, he joined the SES.

Some very nice toys to play with too!


Cheers

Originally Posted by trout1105

Nobody is "Perfect" and Yes I have got myself stuck on many occasions over the years either from lack of experience or simply pushing my luck.
[snip]
I never intentionally seek out the "hard core Stuff" and I am quite happy to look for the easiest route to where I want to go and go around an obstacle or a boggy area whenever I can.

On that note, I have a vastly different mindset with the Disco vs the old Deefer.

I've backed out of quite a few situations I wouldn't have thought twice about tackling in the Defender solo, but they are two totally different vehicles set up totally differently.

Originally Posted by Eevo

recovery isnt taught enough.
most 4wd courses ive looked at wont allow it due to insurance.
and it seems that everyone has a different view on recovery and whats safe.

where can i go to improve my recovery skills?

You can always watch a few episodes of Russell Quoit's "All Aussie Adventures" to find out what NOT to do