In another thread Ian Strachan wrote:

'The standard recovery procedure once a full spin has
developed that
works for most aircraft is,

1. Full rudder opposite to the spin direction (make
sure it really is
opposite to the rotation, I for one have applied the
wrong rudder in a
spinning jet when I was caught by a surprise departure).'
=======================================

I have long surmised that application of the wrong
rudder in a panic situation might be a cause of failure
to recover from a spin. If it can happen to a military
test pilot of Ian's calibre then it can certainly happen
to me.

The yaw string *always* points to the inside of a spin
(according the Reichmann and others) and modifying
the teaching to 'apply full rudder opposite to the
direction of the yaw string' would be a more certain
way of choosing the life rudder pedal rather than the
death one at low altitude

Slip balls do not, apparently, invariably point to
the outside of spins so they are not as certain a guide.

'Every saiplane should have a yaw string' - said Helmut
Reichmann for this reason.

John Galloway