Lap straps?

[pugwash]

What's the word for the lifejacket/harness straps that go between your legs? Lap straps? Loin straps? Pinchers?

When I had a RNLI sea-safety check done in Plymouth last summer (great service, immensely useful) I was advised to have them otherwise, if I were rescued by helicopter, I might fall out of the sling. It seemed a good idea and since then, I've been keeping a weather eye on the mags and chandleries but I haven't seen them mentioned in any context, not in adverts nor editorial.

With all the clobber one wears in bad weather, including storm trousers with a low-flying crutch, the prospect of having even more dangly things to deal with in the dark is pretty unappealing. Or do you just keep them handy for use when the chopper is on its way?

The question is, are they vital? And if so, where do you get them?


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[StugeronSteve]

Crutch straps / Thigh straps. There are some quite simple ones available such as the XM type. I've always found them awkward to wear though.

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[jamesjermain]

Crutch straps

Most lifejackets come with crutch straps these days either as standard or as an option and I have seldom seen them sold separately. I have to say I find them very irritating when putting on the lifejacket at night and I am afraid I tend to either leave them to one side or take them off. Having confessed this, I think they are actually very important and should be worn at all times.

<hr width=100% size=1>JJ

 

[robp]

Crotch straps I think. They are important but to keep you from descending out of your lifejacket when afloat, as opposed to holding your weight up aloft. That's my understanding anyway. My Crewsaver ones are just plastic clip on.

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[Twister_Ken]

If you can't find any for sale I'd suggest a call to Crewsaver. Mine are Crewsaver and they can be added to just about any make of 'fold-flat' style lifejacket.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[tome]

Crutch straps are really for when you fall in the water. Nobody likes to wear a lifejacket too tight and having crotch straps means you can loosen the chest belt slightly without any danger of it riding up too high over your head if you do fall in.

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[Strathglass]

When we were at the boat jumble at Irvine. At least three stands had them for sale. SHMBO went round and found the best looking sets. One was definately made by Jimmy Green Marine, but that is not what we ended up with.
They were not too expensive.

Just looked up the jimmy green catalogue
<font color=red>Crutch Strap £5.95.</font color=red>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.jimmygreen.co.uk>http://www.jimmygreen.co.uk</A>

I am certain I paid less than that for them.


Iain

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by iainsimpson on 26/11/2003 23:07 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[BrianJ]

Do not buy Crutch straps ( crotch ) straps... buy Thigh straps. ..This way your voice will remain the same..I like them and have no compunction wearing them
BrianJ

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[DeeGee]

Re: Crutch straps

Depends on how you use them. If you keep them 'engaged' all the time, then, when you put on your LJ, un-engage, pass through your crutch and then reengage, you can do it quickly and easily in the dark. So, when taking off, reverse the procedure, so they are ready for next time.

<hr width=100% size=1>Black Sugar - the sweetest of all

 

[Sybarite]

When I saw the title I thought first of the Mini-transat sailors. Some of them sleep in plastic chairs in the cockpit and have a car safety belt so that they don't slip overboard...!

John

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