Which Lifejacket ?

[Vulcan]

We are new to cruising and will only attempt local coastline to begin with. On board are some basic Plastimo 'Storm' Lifejackets which don't have crutch straps. They are also a bit uncomfortable to wear all the time. Hardly anyone seems to wear lifejackets. Is it sensible to buy better lifejackets such as 'Typhoon' style or go for inflatable style? Also manual or automatic? Better to be safe than sorry I think!

 

[Talbot]

get a group of 3 people together and you will get 6 opinions about whether to go automatic or manual. Personally I prefer the manual option. Gas is the way to go for an adult as it is a much smaller container and after a while becomes just another piece of clothing. However, smaller children IMHO are better in items with in-built buoyancy as they are more likely to fiddle and accidently set off the gas, and also may panic when in the water and forget to inflate the gas versions. The decision for me as to when the child moves from buoyancy to gas, was when they grew out of the buoyancy type!

 

[Lifeboat]

I would say buy Crewsaver heres a link crewsaver , i have used crewsaver with the RNLI & it's all we use. They are great bits of kit as any user will tell you. Before we go any further one thing i will say now before i forget, is make sure you know how to repack your lifejackts after use. It is so important that you jackets are repacked correctly & dont forget to change the air tanks on them as well when the ned replaceing, ie the may get a bit of rust around the top for example or be near there date.

As far as jackets go i would choose one that has crotch straps on as these prove invaluable once your in the drink! They will stop your gear from floating up & over your head. These are the best type to go for & for an adult i would choose an auto inflation type.

For the kids i would stick with the full Air & Foam bouyancy jacket, these are good as the foam around the back of the neck/head will make sure that when they are in the water that their haeds are kept up out of the water, & the form around the front will also keep them on their backs in the water & not face down!

The above images are only a guide to the sort of jackets i would pick, but i would go to your local stockest & get some proffsional advice on the matter.

Hope this has been of some help

Regards

 

[bigmart]

Ive got a Cewsaver & I agree that it's well made however their Spray Hood is the biggest heap of Crap I have ever come across.

I find it surprising that a company as well renowned as Crewsaver should offer such tat.

Martin

 

[Shanty]

Agree with you about the sprayhood. These things, along with crutch straps, should be an integral part of a lifejacket, and not an afterthought.

Spoke to Crewsaver about this at the LBS. Apparently, they are working on the sprayhood design, so something better might appear. Also I was pleased to see they now throw in a set of crutch straps with their lifejackets.

 

[pvb]

I can\'t believe that no-one\'s mentioned....

I can't believe that no-one - including the lifeboat man - has mentioned the wisdom of choosing a lifejacket with a built-in harness. When conditions are bad, using a harness is just as important (some would say more important) as wearing a lifejacket, yet trying to wear a separate harness with a lifejacket is a deeply uncomfortable experience. For about a tenner extra, most good lifejackets are available with built-in harnesses. It's money well spent.

 

[Lifeboat]

Re: I can\'t believe that no-one\'s mentioned....

[ QUOTE ]
I can't believe that no-one - including the lifeboat man - has mentioned the wisdom of choosing a lifejacket with a built-in harness. When conditions are bad, using a harness is just as important (some would say more important) as wearing a lifejacket, yet trying to wear a separate harness with a lifejacket is a deeply uncomfortable experience. For about a tenner extra, most good lifejackets are available with built-in harnesses. It's money well spent.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats a vey good point aswell! All the RNLI lifejackets have harness's & flare holders on them, aswell as the flashing beacon, grab straps.

 

[aidancoughlan]

Re: I can\'t believe that no-one\'s mentioned....

I recently bought some spare lifejackets at the boat show - after looking around all the types available, I bought a couple of Seago lifejackets at much cheaper prices than crewsaver. Went for automatic gas, with built in harness & light included. didnt think about the crotch strap unfortunately.
Dont forget that the automatic ones can be activated manually, so there's no downside to auto jackets afaik apart from the extra few quid.

Also, if you are safety minded, some related advice:
- do a sea survival course. The experience of jumping into deep water fully clothed in oiles, boots etc. gives you confidence in your lifejacket, or an insight into the problems that might occur.
- Several jackets (2) in a group of 8 when I did the course didnt fire automatically, but did open when manually activated.
- One jacket (mine) partially inflated on one side only - was restricted by the velcro on one side, it inflated fully when I manually opened the velcro & the remainder of the gas in the cylinder could force it open.
- I saw a MOB from a boat I was on two seasons ago. The crew member was not a regular on the boat and was wearing a spare manual gas jacket. He forgot to pull the cord, assuming it was manual, and nobody on board realised it for a minute or two. He did pull the cord eventually, and we got him back on board pretty quickly. Ever since, I have made it my business to ensure that when any new crew member arrives on board, that they know how the lifejacket works, and that the manual pull cord is clearly visible on the bottom of the jacket, not bunched up inside the velcro.

 

[jonjo]

Re: Beware of trim designer models

There has been a recent trend towards folding up lifejackets to create a trim designer appearance. These look good in photos but the extra folding creates more bulk that builds up behind the neck. I felt like a hunch back when trying out such examples.

My personal take is that any personal safety device that convinces the wearer that he or she has improved survivability in the water is actually a danger.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Re: I can\'t believe that no-one\'s mentioned....

Do the RNLI still have the clips so you can all clip together in the water. I left when we were still wearing the neck breakers. God I hated those jackets!

I have built our own crotch straps, much better than most of the manufacturers who use a single wide web to really cut you in half. My suggestion would be to go for a pair like on a climbing harness, so they go either side of your jewels.

I would also like to fit flares. I see the RNLI have gone for the smoke/flare combo. I was considering the little 8 pack type with the mini launcher. Does any one know if you can get spare launchers as I think two mini's per jacket would be fine.

Opinions?

 

[ShipsWoofy]

I have just renewed our jackets. The old (not so in reality) are now guest jackets.

I went for the XM as they are really comfortable to wear, they have designed in a fold over your neck so there is no restriction when wearing them. The downside is they are a little more difficult to don. Our old ones were a little like putting on a waistcoat, but less comfortable for prolonged wearing, the new ones need a little more work to get your arms through.

The auto / manual questions, like Talbot said will take on the same consequence as asking which is the best yacht under 30ft. There is no one answer!

I went for manual, my reasons....

With a manual jacket I have the option if entering the water of wearing a jacket. Lets say for clearing a prop. Even hanging out of the dinghy trying to clear a prop I might set a jacket off. In the water, if I got into trouble I could pull the cord and pop back to the surface.

The same goes for a sinking waterlogged boat, I have a bizarre fear of being pinned to the ceiling by an inflated jacket.

I set an auto jacket off once when dinghy sailing, I know wrong type of jacket. But it meant I had no jacket as such for the rest of the day.

There are reasons against, like being knocked out on your way over the side. You will have to do you own risk assessment, the boom on my vessel is fairly high and the stability of the boat is such that I decided the manual for me was the way to go.

It is definitely worth you trying on some jackets and more so your wife / girlfriend whichever, gurlies suffer more than us blokes with the modern design of jackets, for two obvious reasons. You may find you both prefer different brands.

Hope this helps.....

 

[Talbot]

Woofy,
I suspect that most cat owners would be happier with manual than auto. We are not so concerned with the boom knocking us overboard, and life is so much easier when you are on the level. Therefore there is considerably less risk of being overboard and unconscious - surely the only sensible reason for going the auto route.

 

[whisper]

More important, I think, than any lifejacket is some sort of arrangement that will prevent you from falling in the oggin to start with. So, boat should have a lifeline or lifelines fitted and everyone should have available a harness and safety line. So when you buy a lifejacket, definitely get one with built in harness. Crutch straps also essential - to convince yourself just try a practice run by blowing up the jacket orally and jump in with them fitted and then without them - make sure you remove the gas cylinder first though /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Mirelle]

Crewsaver, 150 newton (the 275 type immobilise you completely when inflated) with integral harness, HAMMAR type auto inflation (this works on pressure, not moisture, and is less likely to go off unexpectedly) and crutch straps. I would not bother with the spray hood until Crewsaver sort themselves out on this item. You will also need lifelines and it is worth getting the three hook type.

I've just recommended about the most expensive kit you can get - but you only have one life - I run my boat on a shoe string but not when it comes to this sort of thing!

 

[scarlett]

I and my crew wear auto harness life jackets all the time. Bearing in mind I sail on relative calm waters in high temperatures it takes some discipline. But after a while you get used to them.

The problem with adding flares, lights, locating beacons and whatever next, it makes them less amd less comfortable and discourages use.

I started with Crewsaver but the leg style crotch straps were awful. I used a Musto after that untill it showed signs of wear. Very comfortable single crotch strap. I am now on a Ocean Safety, Commadore I think. Again very comfortable round the neck and the single crotch strap.

Sailing out to the Med singlehanded, I have never fallen in and have no plans to do so.

 

[ribrunt]

Re: I can\'t believe that no-one\'s mentioned....

Ships Woofy

ILB jackets, & I think ALB jackets too, now have a proper safety harness for clipping onto anything - not just the poxy one for clipping together in the oggin.

The smoke/flare combo is good but bear in mind that if a crewmember goes in the tide there are others looking for him pretty quick...that may not be the case for "regular" users & the miniflares might be better.

HTH

RR