lifejackets which type?

[sandeel]

Hi,
there seems to be a myiad of types of jacket available, what type would forumites recommend for a small sailing cruiser for use in and around the solent area in summer months only.
cheers

 

[xstucker]

The important points about safety precautions can be found in the press articles about the Ouzo incident, but I would say that the most important lesson for most of our Summer Solent sailing is from the accident where the skipper of the Swan 39? with Chris Evans aboard, was knocked overboard and unconscious. Thus my preference is an Auto inflation one. I have both Auto and Hammar on a First 33.7 and neither have inflated unintentionally even though we get quite wet. My current favourite is the Ocean Safety Commodore as it is well put together so it will last well.

There's a UBW review here:

http://marinedirectory.ybw.com/Marine_Di...p;category_id=4

 

[Channel Ribs]

I am reluctant to stick my neck out, for fear of lifejackets becoming as contentious as anchors. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif But...

A quality auto inflating but comfy and compact lifejacket with built in harness is worth every penny. Don't skimp, there really is a difference between cheap and safe when it comes to personal buoyancy.

Another worthwhile idea is a well fitting foam buoyancy aid, many of which now come disguised as clothing so as to make it easier to trick people into actually wearing them. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[xstucker]

I forgot to mention that it's also well worth having the harness version so that you can avoid getting wet in the first place. I sail one-up a good deal with only the autopilot for company and don't want to find myself watching the stern light of the old tub fade into the distance as I tread water.

 

[oldsaltoz]

Funny story about Life jackets:

Major race, one crew member on the foredeck ready for yet another sail change, huge seas and enough wind to blow a dog off it's chain.

Skipper looks up to check the forward hand is ready and is amazed to see him with a knife in hand and stabbing himself repeatedly in the chest.





Seems his self inflating life jacket had inflated under his wet gear and the pressure was stopping him breathing.....

Avagoodweekend......

.

 

[Genie]

Yep, as mentioned already, don't buy just on price alone. Look for an established brand and I would suggest auto-inflation as a precaution. Most will only inflate after immersion in water for more than around 5-10 seconds, so can cope easily with the odd wave or heavy splash.
Some now come with integral spray hoods (which is a very good idea to help avoid drowning in spray), and I would recommend the 150Nm buoyancy rating rather than some of the old 100Nm ones. A 275Nm is really for Offshore so would be a little more than you need for the Solent.
Intergral Harness is also a very good idea, as is a crotch strap.
Wear them reasonably tight, not flopping around loose so that if they do go off you don't slip out of them (esp if unconscious).
There is plenty of selection out there - you should pay around £49 for a reasonable 150Nm with harness and auto-inflate.
Bestaluck.

 

[johnphilip]

As the RNLI say

The only safe lifejacket is the one you are actually wearing.

We have 3 different makes of Auto inflate with harness on board all seem fine but we have had to add crotch straps after reading about Ouzo et al. Buy jackets already fitted with them.

 

[Guest]

I bought manual inflate jackets .. and later thigh straps ....

First thing I did with the thigh straps was to alter them - as original design was to have them via a small loop on the waist strap ... UGH !! Every time you bent or moved the straps kept falling down the leg and catching ....

So I split the strap into fixed at back and front so now the strap comes from back centre under crotch ... to side front each side ... much better - straps are not loose or sliding around ... Took about 30 mins with decent sail needle and thread.

>>

Original UGH! design ...

Amended SBC design ......(one strap fitted ... other to be ...)

Now there is no excuse to not use the straps ... and they do not interfere with frontal functions !

Back to what jacket ? If a competent or reasonable swimmer then buoyancy aid in Solent would normally be fair item ... for a less than competent swimmer then auto or manual inflate jacket with straps - the decision auto or manual is personal and there are pros and cons to both I feel ... I accept that auto is probably better ...
Certainly the design and "bulk" of the inflating style is better ... less hindrance when working the boat ... most Buoyancy aids are stiff and tend to make it a little harder to work ...

 

[Peter_Chennell]

Good advice here, the only thing I would add is that crotch straps and a spray hood should be regarded as essentials, not options.

We have been doing comparison trials in our wave pool and the speed at which people get distressed in the rather unpleasant, but relatively small waves we generate is remarkable. A few mouthfuls of water, and not being properly supported means that we 'escort' people to the side of the pool in minutes! On the other hand I comfortably bobbed up and and down for a couple of hours, the only adverse effect being boredom and a strong desire to have a pee!

The only other thing I would add is that the purchase of a lifejacket is a bit like buying insurance, you resent having to do it until you have to call upon it, and then if you bought a cheap one you wish you had paid a bit more for a good one.

Have a look at our website for videos on lifejacket use, and for lots of info on lifejacket selection.

And enjoy your sailing.

 

[MarkGrubb]

The crotch/thigh straps often use a small plastic clip. I've never heard of them coming unclipped or failing, but prefer to use a sail tie as a crotch strap and lash it to the harness.

 

[Guest]

When you think of some of the stupid bags carried on flights that have plastic clips on straps etc. - it's not the clips that give way - its the stitching to the bag !!

My biggest argument with the straps was as above ... 2 of us tried to sort the straps as bought ... I spoke with others with different make jackets / straps ... all said same ... So it was change and now they work without dropping down the leg or causing hernias etc.

 

[Shanty]

Would like to agree with Peter's words of wisdom. I'm amazed that lifejackets are still sold without thigh / crotch straps and a spray hood. On a sea survival course recently, I was lent a lifejacket without crutch straps - after 2-3 minutes in the water, it was up round my ears, and no matter how much I tightened it. I couldn't get it to stay down.

I would also suggest that, if you are going for an auto inflate lifejacket, go for one with a Hammar inflator. The dissolving pill type are cheaper, but can be triggered by dampness. On a SEA Check a few years ago, I asked to see the lifejackets. The owner extracted a couple from a locker & handed them to me. As he did, one of them set itself off - the lifejackets had be stowed wet, and the dampness had been enough to dissolve the pill sufficiently that movement triggered it.

Also, go for ones with a harness, and use it. Far better to avoid ending up in the water in the first place.

 

[Pads38]

I would agree with others here - crotch straps sprayhood and auto inflate.

I have had the auto inflate go off when not wanted but it was very very wet. And it was really only a bit of a nuisance.

Add spare gas cylinder / arming kit, safety line and good jackstays!

Pads

 

[sandeel]

thanks to everyone who replied, it seems the self inflating hammar type with a "modified" sbc crotch strap are the ones to go for
thanks again
regards
john

 

[Shearwater]

Suggest you buy re-arming kit (at least one) at the same time so you either hv a spare or can purposely jump in and see what happens. I've got 2 different types both of which have fired and here in Spain can't get the spares so am having them mailed out to me illegally.

 

[Wunja]

Hope you can forgive a foolish question...

If you don't have a harness on a life jacket, how do you fasten it to yourself? I'm assuming the inverted T shaped webbing thingy is the harness.