Inflatable grab bag ( new invention?)

pcatterall

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I have decided to buy a 'purpose built' grab bag. One of those bright yellow thingies with 'grab bag ' written on it.
We previously just used an old canvas bag with a shoulder strap but a purpose built one should be immediately obvious to all crew.
In the bag will be flares, the hand held radio and GPS, torch, some grub and water.
I note that some bags offered 'some flotation' which set me wondering....
Dam good idea if the bag will float in case it gets dropped in.
Would it be usefull if the bag had a small automatic inflator ( cylinder and tube) in a side velcro'd pouch.
Now tell me that there is such an item available so I don't have to develop it!
 

prv

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Would it be usefull if the bag had a small automatic inflator ( cylinder and tube) in a side velcro'd pouch.

I think a bit of foam in the construction, plus a bit of air naturally trapped inside, will do the job nicely. No need for extra complexity unless your vital liferaft kit includes several large ingots of lead.

If you want to extract a bit of cash from gullible boatowners, though, go right ahead - you might find the odd taker. I think that's how quite a few marine products come into being.

Pete
 

Ex-SolentBoy

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I have decided to buy a 'purpose built' grab bag. One of those bright yellow thingies with 'grab bag ' written on it.
We previously just used an old canvas bag with a shoulder strap but a purpose built one should be immediately obvious to all crew.
In the bag will be flares, the hand held radio and GPS, torch, some grub and water.
I note that some bags offered 'some flotation' which set me wondering....
Dam good idea if the bag will float in case it gets dropped in.
Would it be usefull if the bag had a small automatic inflator ( cylinder and tube) in a side velcro'd pouch.
Now tell me that there is such an item available so I don't have to develop it!

Just clip a Waterbuoy or two to the handle. Job done.
 

pcatterall

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So presumably my new yellow bag will float without any real aid. The flares are in their own plastic container so quite a bit of bouyancy there.
Back, now, to the drawing board to dream up that bit of gear you will all want!!
 

William_H

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Floating grab bag

As I see it the bag will float if sealed at the top and gear inside is not too heavy. However if you want to be able to open the bag while in the water you don't want it filling up with water and sinking.
High density foam as used for hikers mattress is good for floatation and can also make the bag immune to bumps and bangs.
There was a story just 2 days back of boaters whose boat sunk in seconds. They had time to don LJs and grab the EPIRB. Fortunately a cooler box floated free from the boat and this was used for all of the crew (kids) to hang onto. It was several hours before they were picked up. EPIRB worked beaut. But that cooler served very well for added buoyancy. Perhaps your grab bag might be needed for the same job. good luck olewill
 

VicS

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Mine came from LIDL (or was it ALDI). If you leave some air in it it floats. If you insist you can use a permanent marker to write 'GRAB BAG' on it. :)

Vic
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>THESE?



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