Life Jackets Manual or Automatic

Magaz97 said:
Thanks for the info guys....it would seem that budget is a bit of a draw back, if I wanted the auto with the hammar system. (I called in to Storrars today, but am loath to pay for another term of private education for Robbies kids!!!...good service, but he is not the cheapest!)
The RIB riding will probably be limited, and a lot of it is with a dry suit and bouyancy aid (all bought from Storrars) so maybe I just need the LJ for Yachting.....oh what to do?
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If you want to shop local you could try Trident instead of Storrar, or seek out better buys on the internet. As for the soluble plug auto jackets I have never had one go off in bad weather whilst wearing it. As many have suggested not needing it is the best so a harness version to keep you on board is essential, next crotch straps, then a hood.

I would echo the comments on depending on your own ability to operate a manual, don't. I have only been involved in a MOB for real once and the speed with which the casualty became incabable was frightening.
 
FWIW, I think I would tend towards an automatic. I did the ISAF sea survival course (as I know a lot of forumites have). I had a manual inflation jacket for the in-water part of the course. The experience was enlightening.

On jumping into the water I inverted completely. The bouyancy in my boots made me float feet up (edit - the boots were a tight fit against my calves and did not fill with water for several minutes). If I had been alone and without a life jacket, I am not sure I would have been able to swim back to the edge of the pool. I am very glad I had prepared myself and had my hand on the pull-cord. I was so disoriented I'm not sure I would have found it. Had I fallen into cold water unexpectedly, I think my chances of actually activating the manual mechanism would have been less than 50%.

Not long after (maybe 10 minutes), the LJ started riding up. It didn't have crotch straps. Very uncomfortable, and in cold and disturbed water it would easily have induced panic.

One other thing we all observed. On getting out of the water we all thought we had been in for about two hours. Remember this was in a warm swimming pool. We had been in for 50 minutes.

Lessons I learned from the day:
- I never want to go overboard. Clip on.
- If I do go over, I want the very best life jacket money can buy. Auto inflate, crotch or thigh straps, light, hood.
- I never want to go overboard. Ever.

Edit - as for budget, this is one piece of equipment that I would not buy on a budget. I would look around, find the features I wanted, find one that was comfortable and buy it. It will cost what it costs. Either you are going to buy something that will do the job when you need it to, or you are just checking a box on someone's (possibly yours) safety checklist.
 
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galadriel said:
I wonder why the largest manufacture of lifejackets in Europe, Baltic, dont use Hammar firing systems?
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Because they are at the cheap end of the market - not that there's anything wrong with that - and Hammar systems are expensive? I'm pretty sure that Europe's largest car manufacturer doesn't fit Bang and Olufsen sound systems.
 
bbg said:
Edit - as for budget, this is one piece of equipment that I would not buy on a budget. I would look around, find the features I wanted, find one that was comfortable and buy it. It will cost what it costs. Either you are going to buy something that will do the job when you need it to, or you are just checking a box on someone's (possibly yours) safety checklist.
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Well said. Watching your keel disappear upwards is not the time to think "I wish I'd spent the extra fifty quid on a good lifejacket" - nor, of course, is it the time to think "I wish I'd clipped on."

I tell people who sail with me that it is their decision whether or not to wear a lifejacket, and that doing so will make it more likely that their bodies will be recovered. Then we talk about harnesses.
 
I really don't think the words "limited budget" should be uttered at all when it comes to life jackets. They are so important. I agree with a few of them above, one of each.
 
>auto jacket with harness and a crotch strap (essential features) well within your budget. They are made by (for) Ocean Safety in the UK

Ocean Racing Council rules also require a hood that can be pulled over your face, I assume, given their name, Ocean Safety knows that. If not...
 
Ubergeekian said:
Because they are at the cheap end of the market - not that there's anything wrong with that - and Hammar systems are expensive? I'm pretty sure that Europe's largest car manufacturer doesn't fit Bang and Olufsen sound systems.
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Baltic, cheap? Thats a joke, yeh?
 
Decided on an Ocean Safety Auto with built in harness. Does what I need, and within budget. Thanks for all of the input!

Magaz97
 
Autoinflate

Always!

I've used an autoinflate for 20 years.

I've had two experiences when they did go off - first on a RORC race when I was No. 1 on the rail and a big greenie came down the deck - not too suprising; No.2 whilst still on the boat I was underwater - mast was in the water after a Chinese gybe with spinaker - had to hold onto the guard rail to stay on the boat as it came back up - perhaps a bit too much sail!

But always been glad that it worked in these circumstances - never had it inflate in any other conditions and we are talking really heavy rain.

Also, if you're an ex-rugby player like me, make sure you get a 275N jacket - in fact mine is an MoD spec one with 300N.
 
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