Its a pity they don't make an auto life jacket with selectable override

[Adios]

Why do we still have to choose between manual and auto inflate life jackets? If there was an inflator module that had the option to lock the auto capsule to stop if from activating the canister while maintaining the ability to later pull the cord to inflate it I imagine everyone who currently buys a manual LJ would buy one of those instead and have the benefit of auto. (unless they are just avoiding the cost of capsule replacements). Yes the capsule would be ruined if it gets soaked and need replacing but it would be anyway in the same situation except the LJ would have blown up in your face when you got too deep on a slipway or were bent down plugging a leak in a sinking boat. Then not only have you lost the capsule but also the canister.

Surely its not impossible to make one where the auto can be disabled in rare cases of need while maintaining the ability to use it manually? In a way that minimises accidentally leaving it disabled... though in that worst case scenario all it is is back to manual only.

Or why is this a bad idea?

 

[penfold]

You can unscrew the auto capsule on LJs with the soluble doohickey. I've never had an LJ with a hydrostatic unit so I can't comment, but I would be surprised if they don't unscrew also.

 

[Stemar]

You could, but that would mean opening the cover and screwing the capsule in while you're a bit busy trying not to drown, and when you're that kind of busy, you may well forget you unscrewed it.

Also, I've never tried it, but when the capsule goes pop without setting off the LJ, would pulling the string still work? It might, but I wouldn't want to trust it without trying first

 

[dom]

Why do we still have to choose between manual and auto inflate life jackets?.......

Surely its not impossible to make one where the auto can be disabled in rare cases of need while maintaining the ability to use it manually? In a way that minimises accidentally leaving it disabled... though in that worst case scenario all it is is back to manual only.

Or why is this a bad idea?

Not a bad idea, but the idea of frontline safety gear for the potentially untrained is that it's generally maintained in good-to-go condition.

In the same way, the defibrillator at my local sports club allows little user adjustment whereas the hospital ones do?

 

[penfold]

Also, I've never tried it, but when the capsule goes pop without setting off the LJ, would pulling the string still work? It might, but I wouldn't want to trust it without trying first

On an LJ with a Halkey Roberts mechanism yes it would.

 

[Adios]

The Halkey Roberts type you could unscrew the cap, remove the soluble bobbin and put the cap back on. Might be possible without removing the LJ but not something anyone would want to do in a rush as said. However I suppose at least with that type you could make an auto jacket into a manual one for certain activities and back to auto for other times. It also means you can get it back into service as a manual jacket if you only have a new gas canister but no new bobbin.

On the United Moulders inflators the cap and bobbin are in one so if you remove it all the gas will come out the bottom if you pull the string. Can't turn it into a manual LJ and need both canister and new capsule to put the jacket into service if it has been activated.

The bladder on both have a one way car tyre type valve though so it can still be inflated by mouth if needed.

 

[Adios]

Not a bad idea, but the idea of frontline safety gear for the potentially untrained is that it's generally maintained in good-to-go condition.

In the same way, the defibrillator at my local sports club allows little user adjustment whereas the hospital ones do?

As a replacement for an auto jacket or if they were all auto then I could see this would be a backwards step for foolproof safety.

But as a way to give people who otherwise have manual the option of having it auto nearly all the time it seems like a reasonable thing. The worst that would happen is someone leaves it in manual mode and it has to be manually operated as would be the case if it was manual only. Or it blows up in your face unwanted because they left it in auto same as if it was auto only. I can't see much downside.

I've never used one of the 290N size LJs but imagine they are a big thing to have around your neck making everything very difficult other than floating on your back and kicking your legs. Would only want that inflating when there is nothing to do other than waiting to be rescued

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Given that one of the most likely reasons for going over the side on a sailing boat is being whacked on the head by the boom, the Coroner might be minded to question the victim's IQ.

OTOH, I wish mine had been switched off when I fell face down from a rib into 3" of water right outside the sailing club. Are they that noisy on purpose?

 

[Adios]

OTOH, I wish mine had been switched off when I fell face down from a rib into 3" of water right outside the sailing club. Are they that noisy on purpose?

Hey people can drown in 3" of water so they say. All those people were only laughing out of relief I'm sure

 

[dom]

....I've never used one of the 290N size LJs but imagine they are a big thing to have around your neck making everything very difficult other than floating on your back and kicking your legs. Would only want that inflating when there is nothing to do other than waiting to be rescued

All fair points; I've used a 290N LJ in a swimming pool and can confirm your suspicions.

The LJ's status would need to be clearly visible though, which would not be an insurmountable problem if the demand was there.

 

[Adios]

The LJ's status would need to be clearly visible though, which would not be an insurmountable problem if the demand was there.

Thats a point. Currently there isn't much visible on a LJ to say if its manual or auto. Same outer can be used with either inflator.

Some have clear windows to check for green or red bars showing if the bobbin has activated and if a canister is installed. Same window could be on a variable jacket with a chunky switch that can be operated from outside. Do I need to get onto the patent office?

 

[dom]

Do I need to get onto the patent office?

Start running!

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Thats a point. Currently there isn't much visible on a LJ to say if its manual or auto. Same outer can be used with either inflator.

Some have clear windows to check for green or red bars showing if the bobbin has activated and if a canister is installed. Same window could be on a variable jacket with a chunky switch that can be operated from outside. Do I need to get onto the patent office?

All auto lifejackets are manual too. If you are conscious and it hasn't auto inflated pull the manual chord.
The idea of being able to deactivate the auto function defeats the purpose as it will certainly be deactivated when you go over the side unconscious. That's how life works.

 

[Adios]

All auto lifejackets are manual too. If you are conscious and it hasn't auto inflated pull the manual chord.
The idea of being able to deactivate the auto function defeats the purpose as it will certainly be deactivated when you go over the side unconscious. That's how life works.

You seem to have missed the motivation for the idea. Its for someone who uses a manual because they don't want one that auto inflates without their input. They might welcome having an auto jacket if it can be easily deactivated at certain times. Could save a few lives if the usually manual LJ buyer gets boom swiped. Not expecting its for people who are happy to use autos

 

[Daedelus]

Presumably you have considered the hydrostatic types? In theory it is the water pressure that activates them and they need (IIRc) at least 4 inches to be triggered. However, Mrs D who had one was attending a sea survival course and decided to use her own LJ in the pool bit. The pool was a diving training pool so was deeper than the usual swimming pool. She jumped in and plummeted to the bottom before she pulled the manual release and came to the surface gasping for breath and certain wishes for the manufacturers of the hydrostatic release. I was most impressed.

 

[Adios]

Presumably you have considered the hydrostatic types? In theory it is the water pressure that activates them and they need (IIRc) at least 4 inches to be triggered. However, Mrs D who had one was attending a sea survival course and decided to use her own LJ in the pool bit. The pool was a diving training pool so was deeper than the usual swimming pool. She jumped in and plummeted to the bottom before she pulled the manual release and came to the surface gasping for breath and certain wishes for the manufacturers of the hydrostatic release. I was most impressed.

Maybe mistranslation from the Norwegian for 4 meters? Sounds like owners of auto life jackets shouldn't wait for it to fire and should be hunting for the toggle as soon as possible. Last time I got tossed out of a dinghy unexpectedly and found some rigging slowing my resurfacing it only took a few seconds to feel a bit of panic. Without time to grab a good lungful before going under there really isn't time to mess around waiting.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

You seem to have missed the motivation for the idea. Its for someone who uses a manual because they don't want one that auto inflates without their input. They might welcome having an auto jacket if it can be easily deactivated at certain times. Could save a few lives if the usually manual LJ buyer gets boom swiped. Not expecting its for people who are happy to use autos

But if someone doesn’t want auto they use a manual. If you add complexity to an auto unit you increase the risk of failure you also increase the risk of human error. Are you going to have a flagged pin to remind the user they have deactivated the jacket? Surely for wading chest deep nobody wears an inflatable life jacket but rather foam flotation pfd?

 

[Adios]

Interestingly this issue must be a live one as there is already a solution. UML sell a push on blanking cap to quickly convert an auto into a manual jacket, not quite as quick as a switch but it does protect the cartridge which is a big bonus. They are designed to stay in the jacket so can be quickly applied if needed and don't get lost. UML Sealing Cap - RT Supplies Ltd

 

[Adios]

But if someone doesn’t want auto they use a manual. If you add complexity to an auto unit you increase the risk of failure you also increase the risk of human error. Are you going to have a flagged pin to remind the user they have deactivated the jacket?

Like I say the idea was for people who would normally buy a manual LJ. The jacket isn't deactivated. The worst thing that could happen is its left in manual mode which is what the person would normally have had.

Surely for wading chest deep nobody wears an inflatable life jacket but rather foam flotation pfd?

Apparently not hence above solution, which makes sense. Wearing a PFD all day is much less comfortable than an inflating LJ. They also wouldn't want to carry 2 types. The above solution seems better than a switched inflator as it protects the cartridge. So thats my idea out the window!

 

[capnsensible]

Presumably you have considered the hydrostatic types? In theory it is the water pressure that activates them and they need (IIRc) at least 4 inches to be triggered. However, Mrs D who had one was attending a sea survival course and decided to use her own LJ in the pool bit. The pool was a diving training pool so was deeper than the usual swimming pool. She jumped in and plummeted to the bottom before she pulled the manual release and came to the surface gasping for breath and certain wishes for the manufacturers of the hydrostatic release. I was most impressed.