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Years ago a failed roll (with the sprayskirt’s grab loop tucked under) nearly finished me off. That incident made me a believer in sprayskirts that have a safety strap across the deck. That way, even if the grab loop breaks loose (or is unintentionally tucked under) you still have an easy way to release the sprayskirt. But there still is the potential for a problem. For instance: 1. You can’t locate the grab loop and the safety strap could rip free from the force of pulling on it while upside down. 2. You can’t locate the grab loop and your safety strap could unintentionally be looped under the sprayskirt. 3. You may forget to reach for the safety strap if you can’t locate the grab loop. Yesterday, the third situation occurred as a friend failed a practice roll. Thankfully, I was close enough to perform a successful Eskimo bow rescue. Today I connected a 1/4-inch nylon line between my grab loop and the safety strap. I think this will reduce the chances of mistakenly tucking the grab loop inside the kayak cockpit or unintentionally looping the safety strap under the sprayskirt (the latter once happened to me). Also, if the safety strap or the grab loop breaks free the line can be used to release the sprayskirt. Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to practice removing your sprayskirt without using the grab loop or safety strap. Also, it’s a good idea to practice staying in the boat and rat swimming to the surface awaiting a bow rescue or to attempt another roll. Anyone have any comments or better “belt and suspenders” ideas for this topic? -Leon PS I was using a very tight white-water style sprayskirt when I failed the roll mentioned above. Panic was setting in as I ran out of air and I nearly broke off some fingers when I placed them underneath the edge of the sprayskirt to pull it off. My paddle was about 100 feet away, stored on a dinghy, because I was practicing hand rolls.