waterproofs v/s floatation suit

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kieronriley

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what do you all think. i need new waterproofs and have been looking at flotation suits as an option,waterproof ,breathable,tough, lightweight,easy body movement, and no need for a life jacket ,apart from the posibility of beeing to warm can you se any othere major reason for not buying the floatation suit and oh yes much cheaper,Kieron
 
kieronriley said:
what do you all think. i need new waterproofs and have been looking at flotation suits as an option,waterproof ,breathable,tough, lightweight,easy body movement, and no need for a life jacket ,apart from the posibility of beeing to warm can you se any othere major reason for not buying the floatation suit and oh yes much cheaper,Kieron
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I wouldn't be inclined to use a floatation suit as a replacement for a lifejacket, while offering some bouyancy (usually only 50n) and certainly better than nothing, I don't think I'd want to be floating mid channel in winter with no LJ...

A great product to keep warm and assist in safety, but like most things not the entire answer.

That said well worth owning given the price these days, they are warm, but probably much more restrictive than a decent set of waterproofs. I'd be inclined to use a FS in the deep winter, and waterproofs when required the rest of the year....
 
When my old waterproofs wore out I bought a two piece Cosalt Gemini floatation suit. The jacket is 50N and I believe the trousers are the same. They are very well made with lots of useful pockets and a whistle but were cheaper than most waterproofs. As well as helping to keep you afloat, they also keep you warmer if you fell in. A one piece would be better for this but the two piece is so versatile.

Overheating in hot weather is a real possibility as they are very cosy but generally, if it is hot, you are not getting wet so don't need it. In hot weather I use a lifejacket on its own.

Because they are so warm, you don't need to don layer upon layer of clothing in cold weather. Even the hood is insulated. Coupled with a standard lifejacket, you have around 250N of buoyancy and in my case, because I tend to wear the top when going out to my swinging mooring, I always have some buoyancy in the event of ending up in the water even if I fall off the jetty before I don the lifejacket.

One of my best buys.
 
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As usual it's horses for courses. Immersion suits are fantastic, for cold wet night watches in particular, but not much use if you need to work as it is not long before overheating becomes a problem. The Fladen systems look interesting but I have not tried any of them in anger.

For me, nylon jacket and high fit trousers are the run of the mill as they are easy to clean, hard wearing and cheap.

Then, change to the appropriate attire for the sedentary stuff. 275N is the size lifejacket if there is a lot of “bulk” , like me, to float!

73s de

Johnth
 
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I got the Fladen flotation suit for a mere £85. Absolutely great for night watches and I'll be wearing it for the last race of 2009 on Sunday - waterproof and warm but much too hot for summer (aye, even in Scotland) when you end up wetter inside than out.
I haven't tested its flotation properties yet but then I've never field tested my lifejacket either. Reckon it's one of the best yotty buys I've made.
 
I am ignorant about floatation suits. However based on dry suits which seal around neck, ankles and wrists I wonder if flotation suits could cause the wearer to float upside down.

In a dry suit, when you are in the water, it is possible for all the air to end up in the legs such that you float head down. Most dry suits have dump valves in the ankles to help the air escape.

The other observation is that without a lifejacket you could still float face down in the case where you only had a floatation suit on. I would imagine that a floatation suit and lifejacket is a the least risky option, if that is what you want.

My Henri Lloyds have a floatation vest built into the jacket (old style Ocean series) and its quite a pain when you fall in. It all rides up around the arm pits as the head slowly sinks quick sand style through the collar. The jacket is fitted with a crotch strap device to prevent this. I never fasten this which is why I use the quick sand metaphor with confidence!

All The Best B.O.B
 
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Good thought process BlowingOldBoots. I have Crewsaver immersion suits on my trusty vessel and make the assumption (dangerous ?) that an outfit that size and positive reputation would have thought of the possibility and taken steps to mitigate this.

73s de

Johnth
 
The instructions that came with my jacket did mention that it would ride up under the arms and that was normal.

Also, I don't wear the trousers on their own in case I float upside down although all the buoyancy is around the waist, hips and upper thighs so it probably wouldn't happen.
 
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