Inflatable life jacket

Hi,

Personally I would keep it, I would much prefer to spend the day working with an inflatable one to an old fashioned one.

Several years ago I got caught in very rough seas as soon as I started out an inlet. I was thinking that I really wanted a life jacket on, but there was no way to let go of the wheel long enough to get one on. That's when I got my first "glorified balloon". It goes on almost every time before breaking out an inlet. In rough weather it stays on. No way would I do that with another type of PFD that wasn't comfortable or stowed away in a bag someplace. When not in use I keep it right at the helm ready for immediate use.
I would however get one that automatically (as well as manually) deploys. It's not unusual to strike your head when going over the side.

Now that I'm doing more and more boat moving and deliveries, mostly solo, I never go out without wearing my auto. I also get it serviced once a year.

A good one is snug and comfortable, they make the old stuff look stupid.

The greatest thing about them is they encourage usage. We're all far more likely to wear one of them than a traditional "life jacket."

Several years ago I got caught in very rough seas as soon as I started out an inlet. I was thinking that I really wanted a life jacket on, but there was no way to let go of the wheel long enough to get one on. That's when I got my first "glorified balloon". .


I keep one on the back of each helm chair for that reason. Never had to use one, but they are USCG certified, I thought. So more than just a balloon?

Put one on and jump in the water!

You'll be amazed. A new CO2 bottle only costs a couple of bucks.

I have had "little" guests aboard who were so fascinated by that dangling pull cord.... Seemed pretty substantial to me. I suppose, unlike something made of foam, a puncture wouldn't be so good. But the canvas shell that holds the air bladder is pretty good protection against that.

I find inflatable PFDs easy to store, easy to wear, and easy to work in. Most often worn when transferring from our 35' launch to RIB tender, and always while in tender. Much preferred to the bulkier foam-filled type.

If you have any doubts about capability suggest you test it in a safe controlled environment eg swimming pool. Recommend you include these on your annual maintenance schedule.

Good idea.

I have used all my 9 lives, time to get one of them inflatable life jackets.

Still have my 9 lives, and want to keep it that way, so for sure I will buy one, next time I'm in the US!

I inspect mine from time to time. What do you folks do to service yours - change the co2 charge?

Congrats, just starting out..?

Inflate it to check its condition, then change the wafer & CO2 cartridge.

RIBs and jest skis are where I would actually consider "bulkier foam", not for the buoyancy but for impact protection. Had to launch myself from a sea-doo once (to avoid collision), after certain speeds water surface is not much different then solid earth and you might really like the foam

Water is virtually incompressible and hurts/injures/kills when hit at speed. In our case the 2.6metre RIB is powered by a two stoke engine (my arms being at the dry end of two oars being stroked) I think we can survive the impact ok.

IMO the key priority to a person overboard is being able to keep breathing. A properly fitted well maintained inflatable PFD will provide 150 newtons of buoyancy and turn the unconscious wearer face up. There is little point surviving impact injuries only to drown two minutes later! Of course there is specialist protection for participants in water sports but having worn several types of floatations devices over 45years on the water I prefer inflatable PFDs over any other sort.

I was always a little reluctant with life jackets. One day I had to do a ISAF Safety Training to participate in some offshore regattas.

I did. I will not go out without one. During the training we jumped into a pool, light out, rain simulated with water hoses, weren't allowed to swim to the edge for 1/2 hour (to give the others time to locate us at night in the sea). All that with full heavy weather equipment. None of us would have made it without the jacket, and not talking about entering the life raft...

So, even I had a decent one, I got a new one with flash, knife and spray hood. Sprayhood is scary, but you wont want to miss it once you need it.

As long as everything is nice,you don't need it. But if it gets ugly, and you dont have one ....

PS the latest ones are really small, you do not feel them at all. It just might look a little un-cool, but I can live with it...

Dead man's float

How to maximise the chances of survival when stranded in open sea? - The Great Outdoors Stack Exchange

It's a Secumar Ultra Racer.