CHIRP has mentioned the value of a kill cord in several articles concerning tender drivers. These valuable safety devices will cut/kill the engine to slow down, stop the tender, and prevent it from impacting anyone who may have entered the water.
CHIRP recommends that they are part of any pre-departure checklist and should be considered part of an interlock so that unless they are worn, the tender will not start. Like a car seatbelt, wearing a kill cord should become an intuitive thing to do.
CHIRP recommends that the manufacturers are consulted to include a kill cord if they have not been fitted to a tender or other transport vessel. It is not difficult to retrofit and can save lives and serious injuries.
If a kill cord is difficult to wear because it is uncomfortable or physically challenging to connect with the driver, consider installing proximity sensors that kill the engine if the driver is thrown out of the boat.
