I think hooking up to the mainsheet would not be smart. You fall off and your weight in the water will just sheet the main in to drag you in the water faster.
The first time I did this yes, it sheeted in the main and off I went for a little ride - it was slow, but no fun. Fortunately I was aft and was able to turn the rudders to get the boat pointing into the wind. It also tweaked my back a little bit
With that I added about 10' feet of main sheet/traveler line and this seem to fix the issue. The second time, I had a "can't miss" trap hook fail and in I went. Boat drug me along for a few yards and the headed up wind to a stop. My boat at the time (Prindle 18-2) also had a little weather helm.
