Why we need "Dead man Switches"

[Jason]

Pulled from the MN DNR River Guide.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/safety/boatwater/metro_river_guide.pdf

[Bayflite73]

That picture plus that graphic one Doug posted a while back was the reason I have one that will be installed soon. Where is the best place to put it if you don't have a place already? I have some "fake" dials in the dash by the ignition (plastic placeholder, would have to cut into it) or is down by your hip by the throttle a better spot?

Either way it involves cutting into original finishes so would want to cut once knowing it was the best place first!

[thedeuceman]

I put mine here in front of the control
And hook teacher around my leg (as per the suggestion of many here)

[75starflight]

I put the one in Phoenix Rising in front of the control lever. I hook mine to my life vest. Less ability for it to slip off that way.

[Jason]

dito.

Just make sure it does not interfere with any moving parts on both side of the panel before drilling.

[Bayflite73]

In front of the control lever seems to be the consensus! I'll have to take a look tonight... if it's not raining by that point!

[V153]

Ya somewhere near the control is preferable. For you with surface mount control(s), I'd say just fwd is as good a place as any. Like Joe I hook the tether around my thigh.

Speaking of teachers: I had a teacher in 9th grade I wanted to wrap around one of my legs. Ahh yes ... Miss Ober ... dang was she hot! But I digress.

"Dead man switch", "Ignition cut off switch", "Kill switch". Call em what you want but I highly recommend folks install one. And use it.

Imagine that guy treading water, watching his boat ghost ride into the raft & dock. How much ya wanna bet he said to himself at least once, "Gee I wish I had my lanyard hooked up ..."

  

[Hyperacme]

BOY !   Those seat look GOOD Joe !
I might have to get an estimate from you on getting mine done ... 

Where Joe has his would be easy to get at and not interfere with steering or throttle/gear shift.
Dash might get in the way of steering and hand movement ...

[David CVX-16]

Dead man's switch built into the control box of the Johnson - probably hook it to a waist belt. I aways wear a life jacket, but forget to connect the switch to me.

[Jerry]

I never go out without mine hooked.

[Burnin Daylight]

Interesting.  Mine is behind the shift lever so that I don't accidentally drag it off while accelerating and kill my engine while running high on the throttle.  I don't run Burning Daylight at high throttle without a PFD on and the kill lanyard attached to it.