Another approach. I do consider lifelines an absolute necessity (in the same league with a pfd and a tether.)

My Shaeffer 26" stanchions and Shaeffer pads are mounted on approximately a 1/8" neoprene pad (to give some "bounce" from an inpact so the deck isn't cracked)

On the underside I have an oversized 3/8-1/2" piece of plywood (also to absorb shock), covered with an aluminum plate (so the nuts won't pull through the plywood). The entire assembly is imbedded in sulfite caulking.

The lifelines themselves must only be made out of stainless, and should be plastic coated (They are available from West or any rigging shop). It is important that, if corrosion is a possibility, the lifelines be checked annually. I have discovered, after trusting the lifelines for several years, that one end on one lifeline was only being held by a couple threads. The answer, don't use galvanized cable as the prior owner had done.