Every river paddler should be packing a throwbag of some type and the milk jug throw bag is my favorite. Compared to a store bought bag it is about half the price and your recycling the jug by reusing it.

First drink the milk you probably could use some calicum. Drill a 3/8" hole in the centre of the bottom and throw the cap into the bin. I use 15 meters (50ft) of 5/16" floating braided rope, tie a stopper knot about 15 inches from one end of the rope. This knot will be inside the jug to prevent the rope being pulled throug the jug. Feed the short end into the jug and out through the bottom, tie a figure 8 in a bight here and that stops the rope from being pulled back into the jug. Feed the rest of the rope into the jug leaving enough outside the mouth of the jug to act as a handle. You should never tie a loop in the handle end as it can get jammed between objects should you lose you grip on the rope. A clean end will flow through any obstructions and avoid the rope getting caught. A jammed line can cause the person on the other end to be pulled under the surface if they fail to release the rope. Loops have caused some fatalities and the clean line principle is now in effect in most places.

This little jug flies true and smooth and is much more accurate than a throw bag, the rigid plastic gives it some meat to fly with and you can chuck this fast and accurate with a little practice. The plastic is still soft enough that if youn hit somebodies head it won't hurt after all they are warning a helmet, right. I have made quite a few and every time I look I need to make a few more, becoming quite popular here in the north.

Using your throwbag in a mechanical advantage system is really over stressing the line. They are designed for pulling people not pinned boats. I realize that a small group ogf paddlers will not be equiped with lengths of rescue rope as they haven't the room in small kayaks. Canoes have enough room and I woud bring some. Many times throw bags have been used in these systems with success and when it is all you have, go for it. Just remember each time to do this the rope gets a litte weaker and keep an eye on it for wear and tear. Should you have used it in a major pull I would send it to the practice bin and folks can use it to learn knots. After major loading replace the rope, much wiser to be safe than sorry for the price of rope.

What ever throw bag you decide on is much better than not having one when you need it and a lot of practice is needed to be good with it. The bags are soft and don't fly as nice as a jug. This is one of my favourite toys and I leave the rest of then at home. I have made one from 2 gallon jug  and 25 meters of rope but it was a little large and unwieldly. However it works but takes up more room than a large regular throw bag. Cheers Greg