Posted in Safety, Defensive Driving

Snatch straps can be very dangerous

Sadly a woman was killed using a snatch strap to recover a bogged vehicle, the snatch strap was attached to the towball and it sheared off and flew back through the windscreen, crushing her throat.  This fatal accident occurred in Western Australia in 2011.  The risks associated with snatch straps are very real and sadly people are injured or killed.  James Gorrie is a 4WD trainer and recommends, “People should try other recovery methods such as, electric winch, hand turfer or reducing tyre pressure to remove a bogged vehicle, try other safer recovery methods first. Only use the snatch strap as a last resort and read the instruction for use and follow them.

The vehicles must have rated recovery points for snatch straps (recovery straps).  A lot of vehicles are not designed for snatch straps as the recover point is not strong enough to withstand the force of a 3-4 ton vehicle pulling it out of the mud. I would recommendation to remove the snatch strap from the workplace and train employees to use other recovery methods."  Learn more in a 4X4 Recovery Course

When the snatch strap breaks it contains a huge amount of energy and can easily smash metal, see photo.  The recovery point broke off the bogged car and smashed the window and the snatch strap smashed into the spot light.  This could of resulted in a serious injury or death.  Safer options for vehicle recovery