Snatch recovery death.

I loath bloody snatch straps.

>3 words... "Rated Recovery Point"

Rated for what? What are the forces exerted when snatching in any particular situation? Sand - mud - how bogged is the vehicle, how heavy is it?

How "rated" is the point after 2 years / 5 years / x years?

How "rated" is it after 1 snatch / 5 snatches / 50 snatches?

I know snatch straps are regularly used without incident but I strongly believe they are a constant accident waiting to happen.

Mike Harding

Ok, I can see where you comming from, however I've been stuck in mud and have had to be snatched out (as there was no winch). We of course dug around the front of the vehicle first and of course tried to tow more than SNATCH first. I think that's the key more than anything.
Even in mud it is neccesary to have a little jolt to break the suction, just like in sand it's just common sense that needs to be taken into account. Start of with small or no run up and see if that can get you loose, then gradually build up. Don't go at it like a bull at a gate and go a million miles and hour on the first attempt.

There are some other factors that increase/decrease the safty of snatch recoveries also. The two things I RARLEY (if ever) have seen other 4wd'ers do or use when doing recovers are the two simplest.

1. Use a bridal / load equilizer. This is SO important as it lowers the strain on the recovery hooks and at the very least gives you some kind of reduncancy. If one hook gives way at least the other hook has a chance at stopping somthing flying away.

2. Use somthing to weigh the snatch down, even a frigin floor mat out of the car if you have to, so if the snatch does go flying it at least will have somthing to drag it down to the ground and just break legs instead of heads! It should be wrapped around the snatch IN THE MIDDLE.

My 2c.