Lifejackets

newbiesailor · Joined: 19 Oct 2007 Posts: 1

Hya,

Has anyone had any problems with the plastimo family life jackets?
( http://www.reliancemarine.com/Product/14181/Manual-Family-Lifejacket-without-Harness-150N-Red/View.aspx
), we borrowed some crewsaver ones whilst sailing with a friend round
the isle of wight and I want to get something simular for our next
trip. I can't see a huge difference between the plastimo ones and the
crewsaver ones.

(side question.... would we better to get a manual or auto
inflating one?, with auto available why would you get manual?!?)

Thanks in advance

Dave

Archived from group: uk>rec>sailing

Ronald Raygun · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 154

newbiesailor@googlemail.com wrote:

> Hya,
>
> Has anyone had any problems with the plastimo family life jackets?
> (
>
http://www.reliancemarine.com/Product/14181/Manual-Family-Lifejacket-without-Harness-150N-Red/View.aspx
> ), we borrowed some crewsaver ones whilst sailing with a friend round the
> isle of wight and I want to get something simular for our next
> trip.

If your friend has them on the boat, why not just borrow them again?
It makes more sense for them to come with the boat. You don't expect,
for instance, to bring your own crockery and cutlery [OK, that's not
a very good argument, you might say the same about sleeping bags and
towels, yet you *would* expect to bring your own of those].

> I can't see a huge difference between the plastimo ones and the
> crewsaver ones.

Except crewsaver may be a little more expensive without particularly
being in any way better.

> (side question.... would we better to get a manual or auto
> inflating one?,

On balance, probably an auto one, but you have to decide for yourself.

> with auto available why would you get manual?!?)

Several reasons:

Manual ones are cheaper.
Manual ones don't need their auto "brains" replaced every few years.
Manual ones don't inflate in circumstances when you don't want them to,
such as when you're trapped under a capsized boat and need first to dive
down before going up.

But don't get one without harness. Harness LJs are cheaper and more
convenient than separate LJs and harnesses. If I could only have a harness
*or* a LJ but not both, I'd rather have the harness.

Goofball_star_dot_etal · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 72

On Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:53:48 GMT, Ronald Raygun
wrote:

> If I could only have a harness
>*or* a LJ but not both, I'd rather have the harness.

and a boat.. If I could only have a harness *or* a boat but not both,
I'd rather have the boat.

Derek Moody · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 49

In article ,
wrote:
> Hya,
>
> Has anyone had any problems with the plastimo family life jackets?
> ( http://www.reliancemarine.com/Product/14181/Manual-Family-Lifejacket-without-Harness
> -150N-Red/View.aspx
> ), we borrowed some crewsaver ones whilst sailing with a friend round
> the isle of wight and I want to get something simular for our next
> trip. I can't see a huge difference between the plastimo ones and the
> crewsaver ones.

Check availability and price of maintenance, rearming kits &c. Then try one
on and decide which is more comfortable for each of you in everyday wear.
You -will- be more likely to wear it if it's comfortable.

> (side question.... would we better to get a manual or auto
> inflating one?, with auto available why would you get manual?!?)

There are plenty of times when you might get wet - wet enough to trigger an
auto but -not- want the lj blowing up in your face. Eg. working over the
side freeing fishing ropes trapped in keel/rudder/prop - you might need to
duck under to work but, in case you slip your safety line - wear a manual
lj. ... invet your own scenario. Get an auto and remove the hydrostat for
the job.

There are other occasions when a solid lj is better.

Horses for courses.

Cheerio,

--
Fishing: http://www.fishing.casterbridge.net/
Writing: http://www.author.casterbridge.net/derek-moody/
uk.rec.fishing.game Badge Page:
http://www.fishing.casterbridge.net/urfg/

Matt Colie · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 30

Dave,

First and foremost,
Buy your own so you can maintain it and be familiar with it. This could
matter a great deal if you use it (as opposed to merely wearing it).

Buy the automatic with harness.
Do not buy any lifejacket/harness that is not comfortable.
Buy a rearm kit at the same time and put it in a water proof bag inside
your seabag.

Discussion:
If it isn't comfortable, you will be reluctant to wear it. If you won't
wear it all the time, you might as well not bother.
The life jacket has to be on top of the harness or it may strangle you
if/when it deploys.
Trying to manage a harness and a PFD could make you regret you went
sailing.
All the automatic type can be made manual only in about 8 seconds.
If it is in automatic mode, put the deploy string inside so it does not
hook on something.
If you end up overboard and you are not in complete possession of you
faculties, do you want to try to remember to find and pull the deploy
handle before you go unconscious. (No Me)

As to Crewfit, (this only matters if it is what fits you) I have two in
my inventory that are nearly twenty years old and still pass the spring
time inflation test. The one I have used most had been retired from
regular duty because it is showing the wear of too many miles both on me
and in the seabag.

Now that you one:
Find a scale and weigh both the cylinder that came in the jacket and the
spare. Write the weight and the date on both. Do this every spring at
least. I have had inflateables in my inventory for several decades more
than mentioned. (They used to be part of a Navy aviator’s kit and were
called a Mae West.) In that time, I have had three of the cylinders
come up light with no visible cause.
Also - at least every spring - Inflate the lifejacket by the inflation
tube and let it sit for a day or so. If it gets softer than you left
it, find a replacement.

I hope you think of me when you end up overboard and hear the Bang-Whoos
of the deployment. (If you are a true to the breed sailor you will
probably first think “ There goes the week’s beer money!”)

To answer the obvious question at this point - Yes - I have worn mine a
lot and used it once.

Matt Colie
Lifelong Waterman, Licensed Mariner and Perpetual Sailor

newbiesailor@googlemail.com wrote:
> Hya,
>
> Has anyone had any problems with the plastimo family life jackets?
> ( http://www.reliancemarine.com/Product/14181/Manual-Family-Lifejacket-without-Harness-150N-Red/View.aspx
> ), we borrowed some crewsaver ones whilst sailing with a friend round
> the isle of wight and I want to get something simular for our next
> trip. I can't see a huge difference between the plastimo ones and the
> crewsaver ones.
>
> (side question.... would we better to get a manual or auto
> inflating one?, with auto available why would you get manual?!?)
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Dave
>

toad · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 103

On 19 Oct, 21:53, Ronald Raygun wrote:
> newbiesai...@googlemail.com wrote:

> > (side question.... would we better to get a manual or auto
> > inflating one?,
>
> On balance, probably an auto one, but you have to decide for yourself.

Yeah, it's a personal decision. However, IMHO if someone wanted a self
inflater out fear of going in after getting knocked out, a helmet
deals with the problem at root and should be considered in addition to
the self inflating mechanism.

> > with auto available why would you get manual?!?)

> Manual ones don't need their auto "brains" replaced every few years.
> Manual ones don't inflate in circumstances when you don't want them to,

I have a manual one and when I get around to replacing the long
overdue canister I think I'll probably leave it with the manual
mechanism.

My logic is that I've yet to see someone go in the water who didn't
actively play the lead part in their own recovery, something that
would have been tricky while held helplessly on their back.

'Course there's a flip side to that....

> If I could only have a harness
> *or* a LJ but not both, I'd rather have the harness.

Amen to that.

Alan Frame · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 16

toad wrote:

> My logic is that I've yet to see someone go in the water who didn't
> actively play the lead part in their own recovery, something that
> would have been tricky while held helplessly on their back.
>
> 'Course there's a flip side to that....

I know we've done this before, but I'll repeat MHO:

(1) Crewing on a JOG race boat or other X-channel overnight ->
auto+lifeline
(2) Pottering round Chi harbour with kids -> manual

HTH, Alan
--
99 Ducati 748BP, 95 Ducati 600SS, 81 Guzzi Monza, 74 MV Agusta 350
"Ride to Work, Work to Ride" SI# 7.067 DoD#1930 PGP Key 0xBDED56C5

ian · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 33

On Sat, 20 Oct 2007 09:55:10 -0700, toad
wrote:

>On 19 Oct, 21:53, Ronald Raygun wrote:
>> newbiesai...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
>> > (side question.... would we better to get a manual or auto
>> > inflating one?,
>>
>> On balance, probably an auto one, but you have to decide for yourself.
>
>Yeah, it's a personal decision. However, IMHO if someone wanted a self
>inflater out fear of going in after getting knocked out, a helmet
>deals with the problem at root and should be considered in addition to
>the self inflating mechanism.

Get real. Who's going to wear a helmet on a boat? And I doubt that
they prevent being incapable in the water, just make it less likely.

Ian

Andy Champ · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 89

ian@atsandelldot.codot.uk wrote:
>
> Get real. Who's going to wear a helmet on a boat? And I doubt that
> they prevent being incapable in the water, just make it less likely.
>
> Ian

I have seen several sailors who wear canoeing helmets in dinghies.

I've banged my head while sailing, and although it isn't disabling with
a boom the weight of mine (or theirs), it does hurt.

Andy

toad · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 199

On Oct 21, 4:31 pm, i...@atsandelldot.codot.uk wrote:
> On Sat, 20 Oct 2007 09:55:10 -0700, toad
> wrote:
>
> >On 19 Oct, 21:53, Ronald Raygun wrote:
> >> newbiesai...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
> >> > (side question.... would we better to get a manual or auto
> >> > inflating one?,
>
> >> On balance, probably an auto one, but you have to decide for yourself.
>
> >Yeah, it's a personal decision. However, IMHO if someone wanted a self
> >inflater out fear of going in after getting knocked out, a helmet
> >deals with the problem at root and should be considered in addition to
> >the self inflating mechanism.
>
> Get real. Who's going to wear a helmet on a boat?

Very few people. I suspect that's because they don't feel a head
injury is very likely rather than because they don't think a helmet is
an effective way to protect the head.

> And I doubt that
> they prevent being incapable in the water, just make it less likely.

You're arguing that someone who feared going in after being knocked
out should _not_ "consider" head protection on the basis that it
wouldn't have a 100 per cent success rate?

ian · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 33

On 22 Oct 2007 01:55:42 -0700, toad
wrote:

>> And I doubt that
>> they prevent being incapable in the water, just make it less likely.
>
>You're arguing that someone who feared going in after being knocked
>out should _not_ "consider" head protection on the basis that it
>wouldn't have a 100 per cent success rate?

I understood that you were saying that if one fear being incapable in
water, one should wear a helmet rather than an auto-inflating
lifejacket.

Ian

toad · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 103

On Oct 22, 11:36 pm, i...@atsandelldot.codot.uk wrote:
> On 22 Oct 2007 01:55:42 -0700, toad
> wrote:
>
> >> And I doubt that
> >> they prevent being incapable in the water, just make it less likely.
>
> >You're arguing that someone who feared going in after being knocked
> >out should _not_ "consider" head protection on the basis that it
> >wouldn't have a 100 per cent success rate?
>
> I understood that you were saying that if one fear being incapable in
> water, one should wear a helmet rather than an auto-inflating
> lifejacket.

I said: "should be considered in addition to the self inflating
mechanism.".

toad · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 103

On Oct 21, 10:40 pm, Andy Champ wrote:
> i...@atsandelldot.codot.uk wrote:
>
> > Get real. Who's going to wear a helmet on a boat? And I doubt that
> > they prevent being incapable in the water, just make it less likely.
>
> > Ian
>
> I have seen several sailors who wear canoeing helmets in dinghies.

Me too, but frankly, does it matter if anyone else does it or not?

The Floating Bear · Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 12

> Buy the automatic with harness.

And be sure to get some crutch straps. They don't add much to the cost or
the complication but can stop you sliding down in the jacket if it's
supporting you in the water. Also consider a hood, to keep you from being
drowned by spray because you will tend to rotate to face the wind.

Regards,
Jerry

1973 Marcon Sabre 27 bilge keel
Plymouth, UK

Remove the obvious from my address to reply

Chris · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3

"The Floating Bear" wrote in message@jezza.compulink.co.uk...
> > Buy the automatic with harness.
>
> And be sure to get some crutch straps. They don't add much to the cost or
> the complication but can stop you sliding down in the jacket if it's
> supporting you in the water. Also consider a hood, to keep you from being
> drowned by spray because you will tend to rotate to face the wind.
>
> Regards,
> Jerry
>
> 1973 Marcon Sabre 27 bilge keel
> Plymouth, UK
>
> Remove the obvious from my address to reply

I have never owned or tried a life jacket with spray hood and/or crutch
straps and feel they may be a tad bulky, restrictive and complicated for me.
I feel maybe I should consider purchasing these items. I would be
interested in observations and comments from anyone regularly wears these.
Has anyone direct experience of actually deploying them in the open sea
either training or for real?
Chris

Help me with a handycap Less than 10 months ago, I suddenly lost my hearing in my right ear with no warning or cause determined. I am an avid hunter and outdoorsman that now cannot tell the direction of sounds like turkey gobbles, twig snaps, or animal calls. I am at a lose.

The upside-down fly pattern Today I have read an article about the upside-down fly design. Has any one ever tied this pattern? Could you please share about your upside- down fly pattern? Blog:

Nissan LD20-11 marinisation Hi, Anybody marinised one of these 4 cyl LD20-11) Or heard of some one who has? Your help would be much appreciated. Patrick

Odd Bits Set Received my 100-piece bit set from Northern Tools today. It did NOT have the teeny-tiny torx bit that I found in the set I bought from Home Despot (to disassemble an old Palm Pilot to change the battery). Some of the small bits aren't shaped quite right a

Bad News for the GOP: Inflation Rate Worst in *17* Years Inflation Rate Is Worst in 17 Years WASHINGTON (AP) -- Higher costs for energy and food last year pushed inflation up by the largest amount in 17 years, even though prices generally remained tame outside of those two areas. Meanwhile, industrial output wa