Lifjacket 190N vs 150N question

[wonkywinch]

I have a Crewsaver Ergofit 190N jacket I bought to use on club/school boats but recently an RYA instructor told me that it's only rated at 150N in auto inflation but can be topped up to 190N by the mouthpiece. The bottle is 38g so I assumed that the larger amount of CO2 made it support 190N on inflation.

The instructors comments had me searching for more info but I've drawn a blank. Is what he says true or will my jacket offer full rated buoyancy automatically?

 

[[70521]]

https://www.marinesuperstore.com/li...c59_FnheeqvTT6VPWm5gdKA-O2c3ZbahoCb9IQAvD_BwE

Let me know if you need any help with Google.

I don't think the instructor understood the manufacturer's statement. The LJ conforms to ISO 12402-3 (150N), but is actually 190N.

 

[wonkywinch]

I don't need help with Google thanks, indeed I have read the manufacturers info and compared the rearming kit sizes.

It seems 23/24g bottles are used on kids 150N jackets, 33g seem to be used on 150 and 165N rated, 38g on 180/190N rated and 60g on 275N rated jackets. My assumption was that the amount of gas was therefore proportional to the lift provided.

The Crewsaver spec sheet, as you see, is not entirely clear but I'm going to assume that with a 38g bottle in it, I will get enough support for my personal bulk and soggy winter layers in the event I fell in.

Having practised plenty of MOBs with a fender and bucket/rope simulation, I am concerned about the actual retrieval from the water so invested in and fitted one of Duncan Wells Lifesaver lines so at least my rescuers have something easy to hook onto if I'm bobbing about unconscious.

Perhaps the instructor misread the spec page too?

For help with Google, I like this page - http://bfy.tw/JjiX

 

[[70521]]

When I went for my wee swim in full winter kit my 180 Pro kept me on the surface.

I replaced the CO2 bottle with a 38 gram one. From memory you order a rearming kit by letter, for the 180 it is an L.

 

[Pete7]

Slight thread drift, but is there a hood and light with the LJ?

https://www.spinlock.co.uk/en-us/categories/lume-on/product_groups/lume-on

 

[Graham_Wright]

Surely a life jacket is supporting the wearers clothing to the greatest extent? Bodies are almost neutrally buoyant and require very little to raise a head.

 

[MikeCC]

The standards are only for 100N child, 150N regular adult and 275N for heavy use. So an LJ can only be sold as complying with those standards which are on the generic info sheet in every LJ pack. They can add a qualification that the actual buoyancy is xxxN depending on the gas volume. Hence the difference. In time, maybe there will be a 190N standard. I don't think your RYA chap understands the system.
Lifejackets are manufactured so that the bladder actually has a lot more capacity than supplied by the gas cylinder. This is so they don't burst if they have already been partially inflated orally.
The buoyancy only needs to be sufficient to keep your head out of the water.

 

[Seven Spades]

Realistically is a 275 going to save you when a 190 won't. I thought hyperthermia was the most likely cause of death if your life jacket has a hood.

 

[alan_d]

Realistically is a 275 going to save you when a 190 won't. I thought hyperthermia was the most likely cause of death if your life jacket has a hood.

I think you mean hypothermia, and whether or not what you meant to say is true will depend on the water temperature.

 

[lw395]

Realistically is a 275 going to save you when a 190 won't. .....

Yes, if you are a rig worker with pockets full of spanners, steel toecap boots, very heavy Rolex etc.

 

[prv]

The standards are only for 100N child, 150N regular adult and 275N for heavy use.

The 100N standard isn't for a child, it's just a lower level of support for less demanding conditions (trading off against less bulk inhibiting your movements).

Child buoyancy aids and lifejackets complying with the 50N, 100N, 150N standards don't actually provide those specific values of buoyancy force, but support the designated size of child to the same degree that a 50/100/150N adult jacket would support an adult.

I don't think your RYA chap understands the system.

Agree.

Pete

 

[prv]

Yes, if you are a rig worker with pockets full of spanners, steel toecap boots, very heavy Rolex etc.

Someone else better be rescuing you, though

I've done rig worker's safety training in a pool with a 275N jacket on, I had to let most of the air out of it to be able to see around me, and to sit in a raft without being strangled

Pete