Life Jacket problem

[Norman_E]

I have a set of Seago automatic lifejackets which I bought for my boat. My problem is that I have a hiatus hernia, operated on years ago but still troublesome. As anyone with this condition will know it causes an area of tenderness, painful if pressed against, on the lower right hand side of the ribcage. This is exactly where the gas cylinder in the lifejackets presses, with the result that I hate wearing one and usually avoid it. Where I sail it is too hot to wear padded clothing under the life jacket. Can anyone recommend a life jacket with the cylinder and firing mechanism fitted on the left side, or indeed anywhere but lower right side?

 

[albineer]

My lifejacket from http://shop.lifejackets.co.uk/acatalog/Lifejacket_Automatic_gas_lifejacket.html
has the cylinder on the left.

 

[Bav34]

Um......

I know someone who is selling two HERE

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[Bav34]

Sorry Norman, just realised that you want auto inflation. These are manual gas.

Still for sale tho'

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[Norman_E]

They look good, thank you. Only problem is the dark colours which get very hot in the sun in Turkey, otherwise the black Hammar action one looks the business.

 

[Shearwater]

A recent mag article said it all....'Do not go overboard'...it's almost impossible for ther average crew to get a person, male or female, back on board. I now ware a harness and clip on whenever I go forwd, esp as I sail alone.

 

[Norman_E]

I must admit that this is my view. SWMBO could not get me back aboard unless I was able to climb the boarding ladder myself. If I do go overboard all I want her to do is bring the boat to a stop so that I can swim to it, and I doubt I can swim wearing a lifejacket. The only times I want one on are when in the tender, or if I have to go forward in rough weather, in which case I clip on. but need the lifejacket with its harness point. I do have a harness without the lifejacket, but it is just as uncomfortable to wear, and takes longer to put on, though useful if I have to go up the mast.

 

[mawm]

Norm - are you nsure that you don't have gall stones?

 

[perini12]

My boss has just returned from his niece's funeral. She was drowned whilst wearing an auto inflating life-jacket. The boat she was in suffered a knock down and a considerable amount of water was ingressed through the open hatchway. ultimately causing the boat to sink. She was trapped by her inflated life-jacket and unable to get out because she was pinned to the uppermost point of the interior. Point to bear in mind perhaps?

 

[Norman_E]

Was tested for gallstones years ago as that was the doctor's initial diagnosis, but my pain was found to be caused by hiatus hernia. Operated on 30 years ago now, but was not completely cured. Still have gastric reflux from time to time. It might be an idea to to be tested again for gallstones, I suppose.

 

[Vanilla]

The surgical treatment has improved a lot since you had your op. If you haven't been back and hassled your GP for a while, it might be worth getting a referral to see a GI specialist again. The newer drugs for reflux are also miles better than the old ones although some doctors try to keep you from having them! Might also be worth getting tested for helicobacter pylori which is very easily and effectively treated by drugs for about 3 weeks, as it can cause gastritis symptoms. You may have this on top of your HH. Good luck as I know how painful it can be. Worse thing is that alcohol sets the pain off!

 

[kengill]

Rather emphasises the point of making children wear their knives at all times when on the boat. Their knives should be secured to the harness at all times.

 

[MakinWaves]

The Ocean Safety 'Commodore' range of Lifejackets have the firing mechanism on the left-hand side. See: http://www.oceansafety.com/leisure/Lifejackets.html

Believe they are on offer at the moment:

£50 for Manual
£60 for Automatic