Handle guard saved my life

[Deanoski]

Two weeks ago at a lk in the nw I had a prerelease out of my reflex 3 ball -32 and high sided toward the boat and my head went into my handle I have been using hard shell boots since 1990 started with ARC boots been reflex for 14 plus yrs with no problems ever.

thank god I had a handle guard made of soft material the handle Caught my chin a released if the guard would of been a harder plastic material I believe it would of deflected more.

I was air lifted to Harborview I tore the muscle and tendons in the right side of my neck broke no bones and no spin injury I’m in neck brace for 3 months I will have a 100 percent recovery.

 

but please never ski or wake board with out a handle guard at least use duck tape

 

plastic is best anything soft material can catch but is better than nothing but still dangerous God saved my life! Now it is my job to let the world know please always use a handle guard

 

I have been skiing for 50 years and like everyone else it could not happen to me but it did.

 

FM has the best one on the market right now I hope other big company’s start make them stock on their handles

like I said before god saved my life now I need to let the world know that it can happen to anyone and please go right now and put a handle guard on or at least make one from duck tape Hard plastic that does don’t conform is the best

 

 

Here is a few examples and one pic of the handle guard I was using god bless us all and may we ski short line forever

 

Deano

[Deanoski]

 

[DW]

Thank goodness no more serious. Congrats on having the safety device.

[MISkier]

@Deanoski, glad that the guard saved you and you will recover. I use the guard you show on the turquoise and black rope. I’ve been using some sort of guard for about 10 years. Thanks for sharing this firsthand reminder.

[kc]

So thankful you had a guard, and will make a full recovery! Thanks for sharing your story, and spreading the word!

[ktm300]

Wow. Glad you're okay.

[OldboyII]

May be there are more accidents like this, but people do not report about them?

Looks like guard is not a bad thing to have.

[NotDeepNotKyle]

Thank you for sharing! Never in a million years do you think it can happen to you. Because of your post, I am going to look to add a handle guard to my rope now!! God is great!!

[KRoundy]

Wow! Glad you are going to be okay. I feel like I should buy or make 10 guards and give one to everyone that I know who does not ski with one.

[Andre]

Glad you're gonna be OK @Deanoski and thanks for the reminder!

I put back mine 1.5 months ago when that other gentlemen wasn't lucky enough to get a warning...

 

[BobF]

Glad you're going to be ok. It blows my mind that I know some that still refuse to use one.

[cragginshred]

Same here, I treat so many head injuries in the PT clinic it's a given I'm using a handle guard and a helmet while rock climbing.

[Skoot1123]

Started using a handle guard 3 years ago - never going back. Thanks for the reminder @denoski - glad your going to make a full recovery!!

[RichardDoane]

Brenda will put a cross bar into her handles if you specify. You were lucky @Deanosk. Glad to hear the Gospel of the handle guard. Being safety conscious is just a good idea.

[gstrom]

I tore my bicep recently no handle .... Was my first time skiing I knew no better :'(

[gstrom]

Pretty Erie stuff

[ToddL]

IIRC, there was a Baller here who started making really excellent guards at a fair price. He got a "cease" letter from the lawyer of a patent holder who doesn't even provide the product. It is a shame that this patent hold can't even come to a minimal license agreement or something so that more manufacturers could offer products. I see too many home made solutions. I guess something is better than nothing...

[skimtb]

@Deanoski or anyone I guess. Where do you get the one like in the first pic the posted? Not the FM one.

[RichardDoane]

Thomas Wayne made the best handle guards a few years ago. He’s in Alaska. Not sure if he’s still doing it. Also not sure why he got banned, but he could excessively argue. Bob McVitty might know if he’s still doing them. @AkBob

[sunperch]

I miss TW, he was a good source of information and very entertaining!!

[LK_skier]

I made this one - took 20 mins... and I haven't missed the handle because of it, which was surprising - I'll be making them for all my crew and kids...

[vtmecheng]

@LK_skier is that gutter guard?

[Alberto Soares]

I am glad you are ok. A few years ago something similar happened to me, I fell with my face on the handle, the protection I had (FM) did not let my head go through, my chin suffered an impact that prevented me from chewing for a few days.

[mmskiboat]

Thanks for the reminder, I'm just starting down this path of skiing and such a simple thing can save your life seems like easy insurance.

[jetpilotg4]

@Deanoski Thanks for sharing god speed on your recovery

[Jody_Seal]

Have used a guard on my handle for nearly 10 years now as have the rest of the family.

@Deanoski glad you are going to be OK and going to ski again.

 

[Deanoski]

anything soft like netting or like to one I used will grab your head. the handle guard must be hard plastic and connected to the handle or you may wind up like me hurt bad almost dead even duck tape will conform the material must be plastic FM is the best one to use and that is what me and all my skiing friends will use from now on until some else make something better see attached like @Alberto Soares said if I would of had this style I would be skiing today and not in a neck brace for 3 months

 

[Deanoski]

h

home made version

[The_MS]

[Deanoski]

@ms the net and rope verse will catch your head or face the duck tape one is the best one you posted

[mmosley899]

I have these available, you can add the strap to the handle if wanted. They are stiff HDPE not too flexible.

 

[Martin1980]

 

Picture of the In Tow Cross Bar. Any opinions on how effective it is?

 

[Deanoski]

@Martin1980 if that is all I had as a guard I would not be typing right now.

[BraceMaker]

@The_MS double fisting beers is probably the safest option.

[Than_Bogan]

@Deanoski Why do you say that? I claim it's impossible to force your head any significant amount into the intow setup, at least with the 12" handles that I use.

[skispray]

@Deanoski thanks for posting this information. I think it needs to be echoed and maybe spelled out, as you're doing us a service by sharing this info. Please correct me if this is wrong but here's the key takeaways that I got:

 

Any handle guard is probably better than no handle guard

Some handle guards are less safe than others

Specifically, hard plastic handle guards like the Fluid Motion product will prevent your head from getting into the handle 'V' much, if any, at all

Conversely, with a soft/mesh guard your head can still get into the handle, although not necessarily all the way through. This is better than nothing but can still result in the handle catching on your chin and doing serious damage

 

Conclusion: Use a hard plastic handle guard!

 

For what it's worth, I've had a hard plastic handle guard on my handle for over 10 years and in no way has it negatively impacted my skiing. I've hardly ever noticed that it's there.

[Deanoski]

@skispray you are 100% correct on the soft guards they will keep you from putting your head through the handle but will still grab your head or jaw and rip the s$%%t of your head or Neck a hard plastic guard will move away from and not conform to the head or jaw.

 

please everyone put a hard plastic guard on and never let anyone ski or wake board with out one.

 

my goal is spread awareness and keep anyone else from going through what I'm going through

[Andre]

I don't get the opening in the upper handle with only a cross bar leaving place to an arm to go through and tougher to get out...?

Might as well close that opening completely,no?

 

[slvrbulit]

@mmosley899 I like your handle guard It looks great and seems like it would very effective. Is it heavy? I have the IN tow bar on 1 handle and a FM guard on another handle.

[UWSkier]

Question on the rigid handle guards. How do handle swaps work with one of those in place? Can you still whip a new handle on the rope in 30 seconds or less? Lots of guys I ski with like to bring their own handles.

[MISkier]

@UWSkier, most current ropes have a loop big enough to change handles without needing to fold a handle guard. It has not been an issue for me.

[RGilmore]

@UWSkier - These days most ski rope and handle makers either have larger end loops as standard, or offer them upon request, making handle changes easy no matter what type of guard you're using.

 

 

 

 

[mmosley899]

@slvrbulit the guard weights next to nothing and the large loops in newer ropes allows for easy changing.

[jimbrake]

@Deanoski - scarier than s--t. Glad you are OK. I've dislocated my elbow through the handle and used a handle guard for years, then somehow just let it slide the last few seasons. I will go put a handle guard back on NOW.

 

I wish god would've seen fit to save Brett Yager and others.

[MattP]

Thanks @mmosley899!! I installed my new guard today. Best $20 to spend in this sport for sure.

[mmosley899]

Another skier has suffered a major injury. Please find something that works for you and helps keep you safer...

[Deanoski]

Please put a guard on now even if it’s duct tape live to ski another day

[ScottScott]

Anyone see this video of Jaimee Bull. Incredible skiing. But, watch the slo mo of the crash at 6 ball the way she falls on the line. She is lucky something didn't go in that handle. Somebody needs to put a handle guard on her handle.

[Deanoski]

@ScottScott she was lucky to not put a limb or head in the handle or get couch up in the rope and she does not use a handle guard.

[vtmecheng]

Just made this. Probably a couple more zip ties than needed but it's a my initial try.