tieing a line to a ring buoy with 4 slotted holes in ring and no line now

It goes on each side and then gets sewed on both sides of the line to lock it in.

 

and when it rots after sitting in the sun for 5 years, most people toss the whole ring.

I will never buy another one like that.

 

settled on this. friction holds the line from pulling round the ring and it worked with a piece I had already here.
it works similar to tieing a line round a piling.
just need a floating toss line and its ready to go.

 

That looks very servicable.

 

Now, you need to know to throw it upwind and past your MOB. It will drift down quickly while you pull in slightly bringing it right onto your target. Once they are secure, pull slowly at first, gradually speeding up to avoid ripping it out of their hands. If they are in the know, they will put one arm and their head through first. If it's the larger size, both arms and head will go through, then you can actually haul them aboard with it too. Obviously, the last thing you want to do when throwing it is to hit them on the head!

-Tom

 

I would also add retro-reflective tape to it. This stuff is a tad pricy, but has the advantage that it doesn't just reflect light, but reflects it back at the source. So if someone is in the water and you hit them with a flashlight the tape lights up bright as day.

I add this stuff to all my safety equipment, and it really isn't that expensive. I think I have maybe $2 worth on my foul weather jacket for instance.

 

the reflective tape is a very good idea.
anything that helps see at night.
I think also do they make floating LED.
be nice to have a light source on a ring, or
how about a floating LED line, that would form a light path right to the buoy.

 

There are several flashing beacons that are designed for lifejackets that should also work on liferings, I would be very surprised if you can't find a flashing beacon with a quick easy switch on it designed for a life-ring.