Lifejackets: friend or foe?

[ColdFusion]

Just read the concerning the MacGregor 26 accident in 2002 (link provided by extravert in the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=ym&Number=459255&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=93&vc=1#Post459255>Unsinkable thread).

None of the eight adults on board were wearing lifejackets - all survived.
All three children on board were wearing lifejackets - all three were trapped under the capsized hull. One was rescued from an air pocket. Two others were "tangled in ropes and stuck underwater" - they both died.

Although the news reports do not state the type of lifejackets that were being worn (or whether they played a part in trapping the children under the hull) it nevertheless got me thinking. Are auto-inflating lifejackets (and buoyancy aids) unsafe because they can pin you underneath a capsized hull? Or do the benefits of auto-inflation in the event of being thrown into the water unconscious outway the other risks?

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[Talbot]

I do not have auto inflate jackets as I dont like them, but then my boom is high enough not to be a concern. If gybing is a possibility and the boom is at a dangerous height then autolifejackets have a place. They would be a severe embarrasement to a foc'sle gorilla.
Assess your situation and decide for yourself, but dont get a comforting sense of safety merely cause your lifejacket is supposed to autoinflate!

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[Romeo]

The important difference here seems to be that the adults were on deck and the children below rather than that the kids had life jackets on.

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[Rowana]

<< the children below rather than that the kids had life jackets on. >>

This then begs the question as to the implecations of having auto-inflation lifejackets on while down below, and the consequences of a capsize.

There will always be situations where something that is designed to increase safety, will given a certain set of circumstances, cause problems.

It is up to each and every one of us to make our own choice depending upon our own perceived views on the risks involved either to wear/not wear and auto/manual inflation.

BTW, I prefer manual, but that's my choice.

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[Sans Bateau]

This is'nt a lifejacket issue at all, those poor little children. The discussion here should be what the hell was anyone thinking of putting 8 people on a Mac 26, 8 for heavens sake!!
With a boat that has a planning hull (flat), standing headroom, so the deck is around 6 ft from the waterline, no ballast and 8 adults having a party on deck, please!! The skipper must be brainless.

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[roger]

Skippers responsibility

For this sort of problem its up to the skipper to do his/her best to keep the crew and self safe. all systems will prove unsuitable in some circumstances.
Its obviously best to avoid the hazardous situation (bad weather?) in the first place. Next consider the most likely accidents. My wife and I think the most likely problem is going overside because of some minor stupidity. She is going to find it very difficult to get me back on board. The answer then is to stay on board using a harness and lifeline - clipped on. As it happens the harness is part of an auto inflate lifejacket. We have now got used to this and use it all the time we are on deck. We each feel safe and worry less about the other. Our grandchildren, when in the cockpit or on deck are similarly equipped. We dont have to watch quite all the time.
There are disadvantages - the harness system does slow you down. We have plenty of time - or we'd go by air. For the racing people its different.

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[ALEXD]

Re: Skippers responsibility

We are about to take a couple of months off to go sailing with our 2 year old son. I am trying to get as much information and advice on the subject of cruising with young children. The life jacket chat is interesting, but what other info can anyone give me? Or publications anyone can suggest? The boat is likely to be a UFO 34.

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[graham]

Re: Skippers responsibility

When our children were toddlers we had a couple of old child car seats. One lashed into a corner of the cockpit and one fixed down below.

Loads of toys to keep them amused .

Looking back it was reallyhard work but worth it.We were in Swansea Marina when our 6 week old son was NOT the youngest child in the marina!!!

Re the original thread my rule with the children is lifejackets on whenever out in the cockpit.

The article about the capsized McGregor seems to me that the boat was criminally overloaded at the time however McGregors have rolled over in circumstances where drink and overloading were not factors.

 

[qsiv]

Re: Skippers responsibility

Do take note of the recent article from (I believe HISWA or some other show), where a manufacturer demonstrated that most childrens lifejackets spectacularly failed to perform.

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