Practical Sailor has done multiple reports on deploying and using the Lifesling II, a piece of equipment that is required by most offshore races. Several articles have focused on the proper recovery technique, and lifting see (PS September 2019, “Rethinking the MOB Recovery”). We also cautioned about the effects of UV exposure on the webbing beckets on older models (see PS August 2016, “Lifesling Beckets Fail”). What many sailors fail to realize is that properly donning a Lifesling II is harder than it appears.

1. The Lifesling II will not open if it is being towed.



2. A sure way to stay connected to the Lifesling is to cross and lock your arms.



3. If your arms are not locked as the Lifesling II is retrieved, the victim can slip out.



4. The Lifesling is comfortable once you are in it, but retrieval is face first.



5. The Anshinya allowed the victim to face backward during retrieval, making it easier to breathe.