While using a winch can be a saving grace when you or a fellow driver require a quick (or slow) recovery, there are extreme forces and weights involved and you are ultimately responsible for your safety and recovery practices. You are liable for your gear and should know how to use, care for and maintain your gear, understand the functionality and what to have on hand to make recovery a breeze. Winches can be dangerous if used improperly or when disregarding safety precautions. While this article will cover some of the aspects of winching and recovering, your research, personal experience, and education will help to guide you further to safe winching techniques and successful recoveries. To read more on finding the perfect winch, load rating and gear for your setup, click here.

Do:
- Use large trees as anchor points. The strongest part of the tree is closest to the ground and will provide a firm pulling point. Make sure the tree saver or tow strap is pulled tightly and snug enough that it won't slack or slide down the trunk.

Don't:
- Wrap your rope directly around the tree, whether cable or synthetic. Your winch rope will damage the tree, slowly killing it in the process and offroading is a hobby that already catches enough flack from outsiders that we don't need to give them any more reason to shut down parks and recreational spots. Instead, wrap a tree saver or tree trunk protector around the tree and secure your winch line from there.

Do:
- Use your winch as it is intended. Your winch can be used to aid in pulling yourself out of a stuck situation or to anchor a vehicle during a static pull. Yes, many of us use the winch for other means of pulling as well, but be sure to read through your manual for the proper use and load ratings.

Don't:
- Unspool the winch rope from a stuck vehicle and pull with an unstuck vehicle by giving the line a quick tug. The kinetic pull on the stuck vehicle will put an unnecessary strain on the winch rope, brake, and drivetrain and may end up causing more damage if a line snap occurs.

Do:
- Weigh the winch rope down with a jacket/hoodie, blanket, tow strap, etc. In the event of a line snap, the weight of the object placed on the rope will more than likely bring the line down to the ground, absorbing potential energy stored, rather than the line snapping back and causing injury or damage.

Don't:
- Rush the recovery process. Even the most obvious steps can be missed, the simplest mistakes can be made, resulting in even more damage in the long run. Instead, remain calm, double-check that your d-rings and shackles are threaded all the way, your line is connected securely and everyone that is not part of the recovery process is safely out of the way.

Do:
- Get out of the way. Avoid standing between the vehicle and its anchor point at all times. If you're not part of the recovery process (driver(s), spotters, etc) stay a safe distance away from the rope and find a large boulder, tree or another vehicle if possible to stand behind. Getting pictures of recovery are cool and all, but so is not getting injured. Don't #doitforthegram.

Don't:
- Unspool or re-spool your rope at an awkward angle against your fairlead or other obstacles like rocks or trees. This will cause your line to rub and fray over time, creating weak points and potentially breaking or snapping the line.

Do:
- Pair your winch rope with the proper fairlead. Most winches come with a fairlead in the box, but if they don't or you need a replacement- cable lines use roller fairleads and synthetic lines use hawse.

Don't:
- Use your winch rope is fraying is visible. This should be common sense but for whatever reason, some people just need to be reminded. A fray in the line could lead to breakage or could injure your hands if you're not wearing gloves- which you should be. If repairing a synthetic line with a fid is possible, you can continue using your rope once the repairs are made. If repairs are not an option, stop using your winch and be sure to replace the rope.

Do:
- Keep up with regular maintenance to your line- it's just as important as routine maintenance to your vehicle. Check your battery connections, remote control(s), winch rope, rinse off any dirt, mud or debris and stretch the rope properly.

Don't:
- Wrap your line around itself or another line when recovering. This will create friction and possible fraying or breakage. If a single-rope line just isn't cutting it, a double-line pull can be achieved with the use of a snatch block.

Do:
- Use a spotter. Hand signals are commonly used not only when offroading, but during recoveries too. Your spotter will direct your if/when to turn, pull your line in/out, pulse-wind, stop or apply the brake.

Don't:
- Prolong your pulls. Electric winches, which are most common, are designed for intermittent use so if it's more of an extensive recovery, take breaks and let your motor cool down.

Do:
- Move your vehicle in the same direction as your pull. I've seen it plenty of times, and I've been guilty of it in the past- forgetting to put the vehicle in gear or staying on the foot brake while the winch is trying to put in work. If you're pulling yourself out of a sketchy spot, make sure you are in gear, slowly press down on the gas and aid your winch recovery. If you are pulling a fellow driver out, make sure both vehicles are in gear and begin slowly moving in the same direction. Keep an eye on your line and spotter for further direction.

Don't:
- Shock the winch line. This occurs when increased force is suddenly applied to the rope (think, pulling a tree down or pulling another vehicle out and using the vehicle to do the pulling, rather than the winch) and will potentially snap the line. Instead, use your remote to slowly pull your line back in.

Do:
- Arrive prepared. Along with the winch being an integral part of the recovery process, other gear is usually required. Tow straps, d-rings, snatch blocks, tree savers, etc. are all items you should have with you when going on an offroad adventure and are all fairly affordable. Click here to find more recovery items to add to your gear!

Recoveries are just part of the risk of offroading. We will all need to use a winch, or recovery gear, at some point during the process. Arriving prepared and knowing how to use your gear will make for easy recovery practices and will also help others look up to you for advice, wisdom and recommendations.