Light weight life jacket

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Paddy Fields

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Manually activated light weight life jacket, used by surfer, open water swimmers, kayakers, dingy sailors, spear fishers, free divers, etc. Only 1 cm average thickness.

https://wingmanlifejacket.com

An option for yacht sailing in relatively forgiving conditions?

I’m thinking about the times when you don’t bother with a life jacket, because they are too restrictive, or it’s too hot out there. Surely it would be better to have a solution you are happy with wearing 100% of the time, than a solution you only bother putting on when it gets a bit hairy.
 
Paddy Fields said:
Manually activated light weight life jacket, used by surfer, open water swimmers, kayakers, dingy sailors, spear fishers, free divers, etc. Only 1 cm average thickness.

https://wingmanlifejacket.com

An option for yacht sailing in relatively forgiving conditions?

I’m thinking about the times when you don’t bother with a life jacket, because they are too restrictive, or it’s too hot out there. Surely it would be better to have a solution you are happy with wearing 100% of the time, than a solution you only bother putting on when it gets a bit hairy.
Click to expand...

This is worded badly as they are marketing it as a life jacket , when in fact it is a buoyancy aid , it does not turn the casualty to a face up position keeping the airways clear if they get knocked out, or in the is country go unconscious due to freezing waters , it also will not pass the EU life jacket tests.
But other than that it is a great design , and can be used for a number of leisure pursuits on the water were you need flexibility. and on a boat if you feel comfortable about wearing one.
https://cgmix.uscg.mil/Equipment/EquipmentDetails.aspx?EQId=16759
 
Paddy Fields said:
Manually activated light weight life jacket, used by surfer, open water swimmers, kayakers, dingy sailors, spear fishers, free divers, etc. Only 1 cm average thickness.

https://wingmanlifejacket.com

An option for yacht sailing in relatively forgiving conditions?

I’m thinking about the times when you don’t bother with a life jacket, because they are too restrictive, or it’s too hot out there. Surely it would be better to have a solution you are happy with wearing 100% of the time, than a solution you only bother putting on when it gets a bit hairy.
Click to expand...

This is fully USCG approved. In fact, except for the lack of harness, I'm guessing it is MORE rugged in many conditions than most inflatable PFDs. The designed it to withstand surf!
 
Didn't Baltic do some waistcoat/gilet style LJs about 25 years ago?
What happened to those?

I think this is for people who'd normally wear a BA for their sport, but are pursuing extremes where a full LJ might be needed.
Endurance board sports etc.
 
thinwater said:
This is fully USCG approved. In fact, except for the lack of harness, I'm guessing it is MORE rugged in many conditions than most inflatable PFDs. The designed it to withstand surf!
Click to expand...

I suppose by the time you have added a harness, the faff level is not much different to conventional LJ.
 
thinwater said:
This is fully USCG approved. In fact, except for the lack of harness, I'm guessing it is MORE rugged in many conditions than most inflatable PFDs. The designed it to withstand surf!
Click to expand...

It will not meet EU standards for a lifejacket , which must conform with turning the casualty if they are unconscious it clearly states on the USCG pages that they link to, that this will not turn a casualty heads up , therefore conforms only to a certain standard.
Now what in the sailing world might give you a real battering on the head and throw you over board especially if your solo sailing, mmm cant think of anything.
 
Sandy said:
I am cynical. I don't see what this LJ gives over my current lifejacket, a proper one that will turn an unconscious casualty over within the standard. One I wear 99% of the time.
Click to expand...

Your current LJ (like mine) is probably a bit poor for paddle boarding or kite surfing.
 
lw395 said:
Your current LJ (like mine) is probably a bit poor for paddle boarding or kite surfing.
Click to expand...
And that is the point. It's not designed for yacht sailing in either design or performance.

Most interesting thing on the (verbose) website is that USA does not have a facility to manufacture inflatable lifejackets to standard.
 
lw395 said:
Your current LJ (like mine) is probably a bit poor for paddle boarding or kite surfing.
Click to expand...
I have no interest in either ;)

Actually, I think my new Hammar Lifejacket might work for paddle boarding and kite surfing!

Kite surfers scare me to death, they wizz about the mouth of the Exe and one day one of them is going to hit a mast or bowsprit at 30 knots. I really don't want it to be my boat as cleaning up the body parts is not going to be fun.
 
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