Let's talk about rigging soft shackles!

Just watched a video from a popular YouTube channel where a soft shackle pulled apart during a 3:1 winch pull.  He blamed it on it being a "cheap" shackle...  when in reality it was simply rigged incorrectly.

The proper way to rig soft shackles (and the method taught to Colorado 4x4 Rescue and Recovery volunteers by On Trail Training, as well as other I4WDTA - The International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers Association LLC certified instructors) is by rigging your loads as shown in photo's 1 and 5.  The second photo is of a Safe-Xtract soft shackle showing green marks where the loads should be situated.  We affectionately refer to this as, "Knot/noose/load." 

When you rig as shown in photos 3 and 4, you run the risk of the load causing the noose to slip over the knot, ESPECIALLY if you rig like photo 4.  Please DONT EVER rig a soft shackle like photo 4.

If a load point is positioned on the pass through at the noose (as in pic 4) it can prevent constriction, which is the opposite of what you want. Also if knots are not properly tightened and the soft shackle is connected incorrectly (as in pics 3 and 4), the noose can squash the knot and allow it to get pulled through. Lastly when properly connected, the load will cause the noose to tighten down on the neck, which is exactly what you do want.

* There are captions on each photo *

**Edit again...  I'm shocked at how much traction this post has gotten.  Huge thanks to everyone who is sharing!  If anyone is interested in receiving top notch recovery training from certified trainers, check out the I4WDTA - The International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers Association LLC webpage.  There is a list of all of the instructors -- you can probably find one offering classes in your area.