Bosuns chair - which one to get?

[phanakapan]

That looks quite frightening. Neither of those photos show a separate safety attachment and the left hand one looks precarious and ready for a back flip. Long webbing straps reduce this danger. There is a danger of falling out of a harness if one inverts.

There are some published tests on professional harnesses which highlight this.

I recall a case of an elderly gentleman working at the top of his mast standing on footrests. He lost his grip and was not otherwise secured and ended up hanging from his feet trapped in the rests. I understand his ankles eventually snapped and he fell to his death on the deck. A horrible way to die.

I understand all that- however, the photos don't show that a) we always work with an extra webbing safety strap attached to something strong when at the required height; b) that the person tailing the halyard always keeps some tension on the winch at all times- the steps are just used as an aid...
I suppose I can imagine a situation where I could invert and fall out of it- but it hasn't ever FELT like that could happen- the webbing straps come up quite high, there is another waist strap separate from the 'hauling' webbing- however I will take note and maybe sort out a shoulder strap arrangement.

 

[Graham_Wright]

I understand all that- however, the photos don't show that a) we always work with an extra webbing safety strap attached to something strong when at the required height; b) that the person tailing the halyard always keeps some tension on the winch at all times- the steps are just used as an aid...
I suppose I can imagine a situation where I could invert and fall out of it- but it hasn't ever FELT like that could happen- the webbing straps come up quite high, there is another waist strap separate from the 'hauling' webbing- however I will take note and maybe sort out a shoulder strap arrangement.

You need a safety strap on the way up too! As well as keeping tension on the winch at height, you need to secure the tail. I climb a lot and my safety harness is a fall arrest variety under my control. My winch line goes to a self tailing winch and also through a closed clutch.

You only fall once!