I was about to start a thread on this, especially ever since Steeplechase and listening to all the stories. I was chatting a bit with Mr. Schiefer (do not remember his first name) and he told me that a good idea would be use a quick release shackle. Then it occurred to me, that we used this little items everyday in the Coast Guard. These shackles are used when we lower the rescue swimmer to a vessel using a trail line, he attaches himself with this shackle, that way, if anything were to happen he can quickly release the trail line and I can retrieve him immediately in a case of an emergency.

I figured if he can safely use it on a helicopter flying 50ft above him, why can’t we use it on sailing.

The way I would approach this is, by sewing it into the harness. Then when I am sailing I will place the mainsheet through it. It will be an extra step in tacking, trapping etc, but I would rather have peace of mind, knowing I am tied to my boat, than worried.

I have sailed solo, and flipped various times. In two occasions, the boat has "almost" left me behind. The first was I seriously bent a battlestick, but held on, the second was I got my trapeze did not get unhooked and I was dragged several yards. As I have said in the past, this is all dependent how comfortable you feel about you being tied to the boat and your ability to pull yourself back up such a situation.