Strategic Air Command developed a dead man's switch for its nuclear bombers, known as Special Weapons Emergency Separation System (SWESS), that ensured the nuclear payload detonated in the event of the crew becoming incapacitated through enemy action. The purpose of this device, unlike other examples mentioned above, was fail-deadly rather than fail-safe. Once armed, the system would detonate the onboard nuclear weapons if the aircraft dropped below a predetermined level, [16] typically due to being shot down. On most engines a simple parallel connection to the existing kill switch will enable full wireless cut-off capability. Emma: It means that when we have to go interview, film or photograph people on the water I can drive one of the RYA RIBs and not always have to rely on a third party to take us. How to use a kill cord is a key part of the Powerboat Level 1 and 2 training courses. In addition to the MAIB’s safety bulletin it also advises:

The RYA survey had over 1000 respondents from 23 countries, from as far afield as the Falkland Islands, the USA, the Philippines and Australia, not to mention lots of responses from within Europe. However, 90% were from the UK. � Use your kill cord". RYA.org.uk. Royal Yachting Association. Archived from the original on 2013-01-17 . Retrieved 2013-05-07.If you found this guide useful or interesting you might like to sign up to our newsletter, so that we can let you know when our next guide has been published.

Emma: Surprisingly I actually found it easier than I thought it was going to be, even when we moved into the larger RIB which did have me quite worried the first time I saw it. But having John close by did help build my confidence. RYA Senior Communications Officer and Editor of InBrief, Emma Slater, shares her experience of the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course... Kill cord lost elasticity and stretched, so difficult to keep on leg without it dropping to the floor and falling off or activating the kill switch every time the helm moves their feet A kill cord comprises a lanyard – often a red coiled lanyard, cord length, construction material, UV resistance, a clip, a kill switch, an engine stop mechanism, and an attachment point. The fabric outer sheath is generally robust, resistant to wear and able to withstand harsh marine conditions, such as temperature extremes and UV light. It’s essential to use the cord provided by the manufacturer and ensure that the length allows for comfortable operation of the boat while activating the cord when needed. Device CompatibilityKill cords intentionally prevent a driver from moving away from their normal operating position. Because of this, it can be tempting to use a kill cord that is longer than the item provided by the manufacturer of the engine. However, longer kill cords are not as taut as shorter ones, taking longer to react in emergency situations. In most instances a boat will not start without a kill cord in place. Therefore, a second kill cord should always be kept onboard to re-start a boat if both the driver and their cord fall overboard. The course includes close quarters handling, high speed manoeuvres, man overboard recovery and collision regulations and can be taken on inland or coastal waters, with your certificate being endorsed accordingly. Course overview Assumed knowledge Bertorelli, Paul (11 April 2009). "What Happened to Julian Assange's Dead Man's Switch for the WikiLeaks Insurance Files?". Heavy.com . Retrieved 8 January 2021.

Those who have a good habit of always wearing a kill cord feel naked without it and simply do not forget, likewise RYA Powerboat Instructors find that as they continually reinforce beginners to wear the device that they always look to the kill cord when ever they see an open powerboat making way. The short video below was the result of a powerboat helm off Calshot, in the Solent, UK who was ejected from his boat (by a small wave) and had not been wearing his kill cord. Fortunately for the driver he was rescued by another boat before he could be run over by his own RIB. This is similar to the early days of car seatbelts when drivers were aware of their safety benefits but still chose not to wear them. Now that it is a legal requirement people wear seatbelts as a matter of course. The aim was to analyse the failures identified and see if there was any commonality of cause. The general conclusions are as follows:

Are there any alternative solutions?

Commercial operators fall under a different code of practice and are required to wear a kill cord when fitted. What does the RYA have to say about the use of kill cords? There is a myth that the device’s job is solely to kill the engine if the driver falls overboard. While this is one of its benefits, it will also kill the engine if the driver falls from his/her seat and lands within the boat or is hanging half out of the boat. For this reason alternatives to the kill cord that rely on the driver landing in water or becoming a certain distance from the helm’s position should be avoided. The traditional lanyard type is effective, but only if good quality, regularly tested and of course worn by the helm. Pros: No batteries in the remote fob, waterproof, no cord to tangle around the wheel or throttle, much more convenient and user friendly than a physical tether. Passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags on the other hand need no power source to operate, can be encased in plastic or silicone to make them 100% waterproof and cost pennies to manufacture.