Seago Active lifejacket and PLB1

[Slowtack]

Any tips on attaching the PLB1 to the Lifejacket?.... The PLB clip does not accommodate the flotation pouch and the PLB will not fit inside the LJ.

 

[lustyd]

That LJ isn’t designed to accommodate a PLB as far as I know. We have one and it’s not very spacious. You may get it to fit but I think realistically it may be a new LJ required. Or attach the PLB to the belt.

 

[Plum]

Any tips on attaching the PLB1 to the Lifejacket?.... The PLB clip does not accommodate the flotation pouch and the PLB will not fit inside the LJ.

If you want to be able to use the PLB when in the water, once your lifejacket inflates, restricting your head movement and being jerked around by even the smallest chop it is very hard indeed trying to find a PLB in a pocket or pouch. From personal experience the best place, by far, is to mount it, using the supplied clip, on the oral inflation tube. It is then immediately right in front of your face and you have both hands free to operate it quickly. In typical UK water temperatures it will not be long before your fingers start to suffer from the cold water making it difficult to extend a plb aerial, lift a flap and hold a button down.

 

[Slowtack]

If you want to be able to use the PLB when in the water, once your lifejacket inflates, restricting your head movement and being jerked around by even the smallest chop it is very hard indeed trying to find a PLB in a pocket or pouch. From personal experience the best place, by far, is to mount it, using the supplied clip, on the oral inflation tube. It is then immediately right in front of your face and you have both hands free to operate it quickly. In typical UK water temperatures it will not be long before your fingers start to suffer from the cold water making it difficult to extend a plb aerial, lift a flap and hold a button down.

I agree as regards attaching to the tube. I did that with my older LJ... It just won't fit inside the newer slimmer types... Even without the flotation pouch... Seems crazy to market a LJ that doesnt have a clear solution for using and deploying a comonplace safety item. The only place I could place it was on the main belt alongside the buckle... But it's vulnerable to accidental detachment and possibly inaccessible when the LJ inflates. Anybody from Seago on here with a solution?

 

[lustyd]

Seems crazy to market a LJ that doesnt have a clear solution for using and deploying a comonplace safety item

Why? It’s a cheap inshore life jacket so it’s perfectly reasonable to assume PLBs wouldn’t be used. Those jackets only recently added a spray hood and light.

PLBs are far from common safety items, and people who need them usually have offshore life jackets designed to put them on.
The PLB you have is generally worn on a belt rather than installed in the LJ. There are others designed to go inside and some will auto-deploy when the jacket inflates.


**edit** on checking, this doesn’t have a spray hood as standard, but a version with light is now available.

 

[Plum]

If you want to be able to use the PLB when in the water, once your lifejacket inflates, restricting your head movement and being jerked around by even the smallest chop it is very hard indeed trying to find a PLB in a pocket or pouch. From personal experience the best place, by far, is to mount it, using the supplied clip, on the oral inflation tube. It is then immediately right in front of your face and you have both hands free to operate it quickly. In typical UK water temperatures it will not be long before your fingers start to suffer from the cold water making it difficult to extend a plb aerial, lift a flap and hold a button down.

My LJ is a Crewsaver Crewfit 180N pro and the Ocean Signal PLB1 (clipped to the oral inflation tube & also attached via a lanyard just in case) fits inside the LJ cover, just.

 

[Slowtack]

My LJ is a Crewsaver Crewfit 180N pro and the Ocean Signal PLB1 (clipped to the oral inflation tube & also attached via a lanyard just in case) fits inside the LJ cover, just.

Many thanks for your helpful comments... Mine is a 300N model, chosen for its addiitional buoyancy as I am 100kg and frequently sail single handed... I am considering stitching the flotation pouch to the outer LJ cover or stitching a suitable small buckled strap for the same purpose. The only way of attachment to the belt is beside the buckle, not a good location.....

 

[Boathook]

My lifejacket is the crewsaver ergofit 190 and the oceansignal plb1 just fits inside, attached to the inflation tube plus tied to the LJ using a long line.

My next lifejacket will have more space for a PLB to make repacking the LJ after testing easier !

 

[lustyd]

addiitional buoyancy as I am 100kg

Makes no difference in water. The extra capacity LJs are for commercial use where additional equipment is carried.

With respect it sounds like you’re over paranoid and buying inappropriate equipment. Big bulky life jackets for leisure are as likely to cause issues as solve them.

 

[Plum]

Many thanks for your helpful comments... Mine is a 300N model, chosen for its addiitional buoyancy as I am 100kg and frequently sail single handed... I am considering stitching the flotation pouch to the outer LJ cover or stitching a suitable small buckled strap for the same purpose. The only way of attachment to the belt is beside the buckle, not a good location.....

An understandable solution but I hope you have considered where the PLB will be after the LJ inflates. I assume it will be underneath the bladder?

 

[Slowtack]

An understandable solution but I hope you have considered where the PLB will be after the LJ inflates. I assume it will be underneath the bladder?
View attachment 195329

Yes... I plan to inflate... By mouth... Gasp... Before choosing location...

 

[Slowtack]

Makes no difference in water. The extra capacity LJs are for commercial use where additional equipment is carried.

With respect it sounds like you’re over paranoid and buying inappropriate equipment. Big bulky life jackets for leisure are as likely to cause issues as solve them.

Thanks for your concern... Ive had similar before... Worked fine.