Quick release shackle failed

[gjeffery]

The Times Wednesday January 29

"Lewmar ..... is being sued for $18 million (£11 million) over the death of an Americam wrestler in 1999. Owen Hart ........ was being lowered into the ring in Kansas City, Missouri, when a quick-release shackle opened sending him 25 metres to his death."

I have absolutely nothing to do with the case, or with Lewmar, other than a high regard for the quality of their products. But I am curious to know if any informed opinion regards a single "quick release shackle" as a suitable attachment with which to lower a man from a height of more than 75 feet.

Any offers?

 

[Chris_Stannard]

I always use a bowline to hoist anyone up the mast. With my current boat, which has a wire halyard, I use the spinaker halyard with a bowline and the genoa halyad as a safety line.

Quick release is all very well but I would guess that the load might have been too great or the shackle badly maintained. I would not use such a shackle where danger to life was involved.

Chris Stannard

 

[ccscott49]

I've no idea of what type of "shackle" they are talking about, plus we are not allowed to use any type of quick release shackle for "man riding" (winching a man up/down) Only tested bolted shackles. Can you sue somebody for using a shackle designed for another purpose?

 

[Twister_Ken]

They went to the wrong shop

The cimbing fraternity has developed hardware specifically designed to hold humans secure. The marine industry designs for other purposes. The wrestler's riggers bought and used equipment not designed for purpose, and as such they are the guilty ones.

What's wrong with walking into the ring in the normal fashion, anyway?

 

[capn666]

Does exactly what it says on the packet!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Naughty! nm

``

 

[ccscott49]

Re: They went to the wrong shop

Ah! There speaks a man who hasn't watched the WWF, walking into the ring is old hat, you have to be thrown in or parachute or something equally nauseous! I caught a glimpse of it, once, it has never been seen by me since, talk about shit!

 

[Anchorite]

Re: Nice of you to drop in...

Can you sue somebody for putting a dog in a microwave oven (no, not a Chinese takeaway, to dry its fur)? This is big business over there and unfortunately it's
coming over here...
(Is this one up for the Darwin Awards?)

 

[Lucas13]

I saw the WWF episode where owen hart fell and died on tv. Excellent stuff, the audience went wild and the ratings must have dramatically increased, not knowing of his immediate death, as all of it is fake.
When the wwf asked Lewmar for some quick release shackles perhaps Lewmar gave wwf a fake shackle made of cheese especially for the wwf as the organization specialises in fake stunts?

 

[Jeremy_W]

Re: They went to the wrong shop

Most serious racing bowmen buy carabiners from climbing shops. The WWF has no case against Lewmar, but that doesn't mean they won't win the case in a court!

 

[ccscott49]

Re: They went to the wrong shop

If a woman can sue Mcdonalds because she burnt her tongue on hot coffee, they (the lawyers) can get away with anything! It might not have said on the packet, "do not use for suspending a streoid infested ballet dancer over the ring" So they are guilty!

 

[Mirelle]

Should Lewmar\'s attorneys need some help, here

I am sure that the whole of the sailing world, from the professionals of the RTW races and the America's Cup to humble ditch crawlers like myself, will be more than willing to confirm that a quick release shackle should NEVER be used for hoisting a man.

Brion Toss would seem like a good American expert witness - his book is rather explicit about this.

 

[bedouin]

Re: Should Lewmar\'s attorneys need some help, here

I agree entirely.

It's rather worrying that some people are now advocating fitting quick-release snaps on the harness end of lifelines.

 

[Mirelle]

Re: Should Lewmar\'s attorneys need some help, here

On the harness end? Whatever is wrong with a Gibb hook on the harness end as well as the business end? Or am I showing my age? I suppose the argument is that you need to take load off a Gibb hook to undo it, but frankly if people are that paranoid they should carry a knife on them, somewhere they can get to it and cut the lifeline.

Time was, Darwin's Theory would have taken care of people like that...nowadays they survive to breed.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Mirelle on 02/02/2003 21:26 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[dickhicks]

Re: Should Lewmar\'s attorneys need some help, here

In the West Marine catalogue they suggest a quick release snap shackle for the harness end - apparently for quick release if you get trapped... I prefer a Gibb hook - incidently I tried the Wichard hook at the LBS and thought it was difficult to use, much more difficult than a Gibb - what have others found?

 

[Mirelle]

Re: Should Lewmar\'s attorneys need some help, here

Maybe West Marine should be sued, not Lewmar, since the Lewmar snap was probably bought from them?

I am appalled by the idea of using a snap on a safety harness. I suppose that there is a natural fear of being trapped under an upturned boat (of the modern, invetable, variety!) or of being dragged down by a sinking boat, but in such cases the lifeline is almost certainly going to have two inches of slack in it, which is all you need.

I agree with you on Gibb vs Wichard lifeline hooks. Wichard make some excellent products but this is not one of them, imho.

 

[bedouin]

Re: Should Lewmar\'s attorneys need some help, here

Thinking of upturned boats - I'd rather my harness were long enough that I could get to the surface without having to unclip, and so stay with the boat. I seem to have read a number of cases recently were crew has been lost during a knockdown - probably because they have unhooked their safety harness.

 

[mickshep]

Sounds to me, it released quickly. as described, where's the problem? On second thoughts, what company handling the case? I have a food blender that doesn' t say " do not push wedding tackle into revolving blades" An accident like that must be worth a fortune. I'll get that "j" class yet.
Fair winds
Mike

 

[ccscott49]

I bet it does say, "replace lid before switching on" or "do not insert any part of your anatomy into the machine, whilst switched on", it will if it's sold in the US. They are really thick aren't they!

 

[mickshep]

Scarey though, these people are about to lead us all to war. Worried now as any casualties may want to sue cos weren't given written warning that fighting could be dangerous.
suggestion;
WARNING.
STANDING IN FRONT OF ENEMY GUNS (or American 'friendly' fire)
MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH