Rescue throw lines

Events and activities taking place on or around water create a potentially hazardous environment with many safety points to consider. Any inherent dangers are typically identified and addressed following a professional risk assessment and consequently projects, for example involving plastic modular pontoons or floating walkways, incorporate risk alleviation measures such as edge protection and the introduction of personal lifesaving equipment such as Throw Lines and Life Buoys.

To provide emergency cover, specialist response services may also include the use of safety boats manned by highly trained crews. A wide range of safety response equipment is available, yet one of the most straightforward and practical ways of rescuing someone who has fallen into water is by using a rescue throw line.

The benefits of using throw lines for water safety

Falls into water can be largely prevented by the installation of hand rails and other precautionary features such as non-slip pedestrian walkways. However if an overboard situation does arise, then using a safety throw line is often the fastest and most effective way to avert the risk of drowning or serious injury. The benefits of operating with safety throw lines include:

• Immediate, swift response to an incident
• Small and manageable
• Lightweight
• Strong and hard wearing
• Cost effective and practical
• Reusable

Throw lines are stowed away in a purpose made bag making them very compact, easy to transport and store. When attached to structures in and around marine areas they can be quickly located due to their bright, reflective appearance. Particularly where water based activities and leisure events involve members of the general public, safety officials can attach throw lines to their belts or house them in or near lifebuoys, ready for speedy deployment should the need arise.

Easy to use rescue equipment

While following safety advice, throw lines can be deployed from a pontoon or shoreline using either an underarm or overarm movement.

To begin using a throw line, the collar of the bag is opened and a suitable length of line is extracted. Keeping hold of the extracted line, the bag is then thrown to rest on the water surface next to the casualty who can then grab the attached throw line and be pulled to safety. The line pays out freely on deployment and the quick release weighted line helps to overcome windy or extreme weather conditions.

Rescue throw lines from TPA

To ensure full protection for all, including visitors, show attendees or workers, TPA supply rescue throw lines as standard. Water safety throw lines are highly visible, extremely buoyant and able to withstand a breaking strain level of up to 200kg; ideal for fast deployment, they are very resilient and can be re-stowed after use.

Working safely near water is our number one priority and something we pride ourselves on, so providing rescue throw lines is just one of the many ways TPA are demonstrating a clear commitment to keeping safety at the forefront, hence why we provide our crews with a comprehensive annual training package that includes Outreach Rescue DEFRA Module 2 in water safety. As standard, all TPA site crews are issued with individual throw bags for rapid deployment in the event of someone entering the water.

Whether undertaking construction, commercial, leisure or other water based schemes, contact TPA Pontoons now for more information on our vast range of plastic modular and steel pontoons, water diversion equipment and safety products.