Liferaft question

[PhilF]

embarressed to ask this. I have a soft case liferaft. new. when you chuck it over board, tied on to the painter, do you have to undo the bag (its velcroed) or does it un pack itself. It seems like it needs to be unzipped, but I think not, better to ask now!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Gludy]

You just chuck it over - no need to unzip ... or at least that is how it should work!

 

[PhilF]

thanks, lets hope I never need to find out

 

[DavidJ]

While we are on this one. Somewhere inside is a knife to cut the line that you have secured to your boat (before you chuck the raft overboard!) Is it obvious where the knife is and could you find it in the dark. Mines an Arimar but I guess they are all pretty much the same.
David

 

[powerskipper]

Re: Life raft question

some interesting stuff here, http://www.equipped.com/abndonship.htm

 

[Solitaire]

I suggest you look at doing the 1 day sea survival course. It's all very well having a liferaft, but unless you know what to expect if you ever have to use it it will all amount to nothing! Getting into a liferaft while fully clothed and with an inflated life jacket is not something to "learn on the job"!

The knife, which you need to know exactly where it is in fact(or should be) has a rounded end (you don't want to puncture the raft with a sharp ended knife) and is most likely situated near the "door" on the right hand side. If in doubt, when you next have the life raft serviced ask to see the liferaft packed. You can also ask for any personal things added. I know of a guy who had a spare set of his presciption glasses packed in the raft - without them he was virtually blind.

Don't wait to find out where things are!

 

[powerskipper]

Re: Life raft question

Agree with David , great course the sea survival one,
jumping off a diving board into a swimming pool, learning to swim in a kind of back wards doggy paddle, and ....... well ............. being shoved into a life raft, [well I was not the largest there] is great fun,
Good course, would recommend it to everyone.

 

[mikewilkes]

Re: Life raft question

Young lady like you should be able to pull herself on board a liferaft.

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[powerskipper]

Re: Life raft question

I did to the best of my ability but did say to guy who was behind me, "just shove I don't mind where just shove".

 

[mikewilkes]

Re: Life raft question

Let me know next time you do one and I will come and help.... Yipeeeee

 

[powerskipper]

Re: Life raft question

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Solitaire]

Re: Life raft question

Nah, I'll pull her! Oh ( /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif), let me perhaps put that within a politically correct context! The only advantage of having to use a liferaft is that it is the strongest/fittest person who should get into the liferaft first; no mean feat, and a degree of upper body strength is required, after that you will need to have another the next strongest on-board, then you can start to pull the women! Sorry, pull the women in (on board the liferaft)!




I'm not making light of the emergency involved of having to take to a liferaft BTW!

 

[mirage]

Re: Life raft question

I'll let you know at this time tomorrow if it's fun or not.

I start the course 09:00 in the morning.

 

[powerskipper]

Re: Life raft question

good full report expected, down to the last dripping detail. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[mikewilkes]

Re: Life raft question

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not making light of the emergency involved of having to take to a liferaft BTW!

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree on that point. But having to do this every 4 years in an enviormental pool, turning the bl**dy thing the right way up etc etc etc. You have to have a laugh sometime.

 

[Solitaire]

Re: Life raft question

[ QUOTE ]


But having to do this every 4 years in an enviormental pool, turning the bl**dy thing the right way up etc etc etc. You have to have a laugh sometime.

[/ QUOTE ]

Once done, you don't have to redo! Not like updating the 1st Aid cert! Wish it was, it's great fun!!

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Life raft question

It depends, people who work offshore and in similar environments, like Mike, do have to re-certify. Peeps like us do it one off

 

[Solitaire]

Re: Life raft question

Ah, was not aware of a commercial involvment here. That I can understand.

 

[mirage]

Re: Life raft question

Well, I survived.

It was a very interesting course, that hopefully I'll never have to put into practice.

The practical bit wasn't a bad as I feared, as a 50 year old, 6' 2", 17 stone, 40 a day, bloke I was dreading that bit, but I righted & got in the thing without any problem, although in another excersise I was volunteered to be the casualty & was pulled in backwards, which almost broke my back.

The theory was interesting insofar as it dispelled a lot of the old (sailors) wifes tales I had heard & believed.

I also learnt that a Gill sailing jacket is bl**dy heavy when in the water & doesn't drain particularly quickly.

Not sure if advertising is allowed, but I did the course with Torbay & Dartmouth Powerboat School & it was very well run.

 

[powerskipper]

Re: Life raft question

well done, it is an eye opener, and teaches you to try ever other avenue before you abandon to a life raft, as it is just that , a LIFE RAFT!!!


may I never be in a position to have to use one.