Nookie 20m River Water Flood Rescue Throwline

Note

Care and Maintenance.
– Untie and retie the knot in your throwline before first use. A figure of eight knot is suitable for this application. It is essential you check this knot before each use.
– Ensure before use that the ropes are in good, undamaged condition. Inspect the line by running it through your hands to feel any inconsistencies and visually check for signs of damage.
– Do not drag ropes over sharp edges.
– Avoid scouring of the rope at guiding elements. All metal parts should be smooth and chaffing points protected by leather, plastic or canvas parceling, or by worming with small sized ropes.
– Avoid exposure to all forms of heat. Polypropylene rope has a relatively low melting point. Care should be observed if used in conjunction with friction devices.
– Avoid unnecessary exposure to the degrading influence of strong sunlight.
– Avoid contamination by chemicals or fumes. If contamination is suspected, wash man-made fibre ropes in cold running water e.g. by hosing.
– Avoid build-up of excessive turn in ropes. If this condition has occurred, loops will form, and, if loaded, strand distortion and loss of strength will result. Work excessive twist over end of rope before straining.
– Never dry any fibre rope by use of heat. If possible, store ropes in a cool, dry, well ventilated place.
– To avoid abrasion damage to the rope, always rinse and clean after use and avoid standing on the rope at any time. Any grit that is pressed in to the rope will cause abrasion damage to the centre of the rope when it is put under load.
– Always rinse the throwline after use in salt water with fresh water and dry. This will stop corrosion to the press-studs and also salt crystals building up and causing abrasion. Drying is important to avoid mildew.
– Store the line coiled and out of the bag, then whoever uses it next will know it has been packed correctly.
– Remember to look after your ropes …
Your life may depend upon them!

Throwlines / Polypropylene Rope

13KN = 13,000N
KN is the industry standard measurement of force for rope strength, but you may be more familiar with the idea of a weight in kg hanging from the rope, in standard Earth gravity – the Newton to Kilogram conversion factor is 9.80665, so dividing 13,000N by this gives 1325kg.

Nookie Water and River Rescue Throwlines and Ropes.

The main purpose of a throwline is for a land based rescuer to assist an individual who is in the water in order to help that person reach safety. It is also an aid to ensure the safety of rescuers as well as to assist in equipment recovery.

The Nookie Throwlines are available in 15m, 18m and 20m line length. They comprise of the ‘throw bag’ and ‘floating rescue line’.

The Throw Bag.
The specific shape of the bag is designed for deployment accuracy as well as efficient re-packing. The foam side wall provides structural integrity as well as floatation of the bag. High quality fabrics, including Cordura®, provide protection and wear resistance. High visibility fabrics and light reflecting elements make it easier to see in rescue situations.

The Floating Rescue Line.
The floating rescue line/rope is supplied by a reputable manufacturer of high quality ropes in Europe. It is made using a 16 plait of multifilament HT Polypropylene in a round braid with a core, through weaving of strands. This is tested in accordance with DIN EN ISO 2307.

Clean Line Policy.
All UK rescue-training courses advise the use of a clean line. This means the end of the line the thrower holds onto must be clean, that is with no knots or loops. The reason is to minimise the risk of the line snagging if you have to release the line during a rescue.

10mm Line.
Used in both the 15m Nookie Throwline and 20m Nookie Throwline.

Break Load – 1300 daN. Tested in accordance with DIN EN ISO 2307 on samples of new product and in laboratory conditions.

8mm Line.
Used in 18m Nookie Hornet Throwline.

Break Load – 900 daN. Tested in accordance with DIN EN ISO 2307 on samples of new product and in laboratory conditions. 

Strength / Break Load / daN.
– The use of the rope and weathering cause a drop in the break load.
– Break load strength is expected to be reduced by 50% when knotted.
– All suggested rope sizes are designed such that the load presents not more than 1/5 of the ropes break load. Bear in mind that shock loads can result in a severe loss of break load.
– Bends and hitches in ropes significantly reduce their strength.
– Rope strengths may decrease every year by up to 30% through exposure.

Damage.
– If the strands become so worn that their outer faces are flattened and the outer yarns severed. If the predominant part of the yarns are damaged the rope should no longer be used.
– If one strand of a twisted rope is completely broken, the rope should no longer be used.
– Damage due to local abrasion. This may be caused by the passage of the rope over sharp edges whilst under tension, and such damage can result in serious strength losses, particularly if, for example, a deep score is produced in the rope.
– Internal wear can be detected by the tell tale signs of a loosening of strands and the presence of powdered fibre. Internal wear is most often caused when grit becomes trapped in a rope which is repeatedly flexed in wet conditions.
– Chemical attack. This may be revealed by staining or by ease of plucking or rubbing off filaments or fibres from the yarns. If the this is the case the rope must be replaced.
– Attack by heat. In extreme cases local fused sections indicate heat through friction and a considerable loss of strength can be expected. This may be revealed by glazing of the rope surface. If, after careful visual examination, doubts still exist,  the rope should no longer be used. 

Safe Use.
As with all safety equipment proper instruction and training should be sort on how to use the equipment effectively and safely and to highlight any potential dangers. It is also important to practise using your throwline so that you are prepared and skilled in using it before a situation arises.

Here are some tips on using throwlines for river rescues.
– Hold the bag in your throwing hand. Unfasten the closure at the neck, and pull out several metres of rope with your other hand (this is so that you have some rope to play with should you need it).
– Throw the bag in whatever way you find best, we suggest you grip the neck of the bag and use an aggressive over arm throw. Aim to land the bag just beyond and downstream of the swimmer, so that the current takes the swimmer within reach of the line.
– Brace yourself so you aren’t pulled in, and draw the victim to safety in a pendulum action. You must practise this under controlled conditions. A lot can go wrong if you aren’t proficient at throwline rescues.
– If you miss on your first attempt, retrieve the bag quickly, coil the rope, and fill the bag with water.
– Before the water drains out, throw the bag (this time with an under arm throw).
– When the victim is safe, repack the bag immediately. Gather a few metres at a time and zigzag them into a compact bundle. Pack this into the bag, and repeat until it is full.

Life Span.
We do not state a safe lifetime of a throwline because of the varying factors that can reduce the lifetime of the rope. Follow the guidelines above and if you are ever unsure the rope should no longer be used.

No responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information. Neither Nookie nor its suppliers will in any circumstances be liable for any damage, injury or death arising out of the use of any of its products.