What is your thoughts on a inflatable life vest for a no swimmer was thanking about getting them one that auto inflates if they go in
Lifevest?
- Thread starter slowdog
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Well, that SHOULD be OK. Just look for one with a higher buoyancy rating. I see some up there in the 30ish rating, as opposed to some of them in the low 20's. And go with an automatic inflator. I would think that a non-swimmer may not have the presence of mind to "jerk the rip-cord".
Just an opinion..
Just an opinion..
Nice if it works. Sometimes they go off when you get drenched by spray. This would not be condusive to calming the fears of a non-swimmer. I wear a simple zip-up lifejacket with foam floatation. It doesn't interfere with movement, and in fact made a fall down a hatch during a spinnaker jybe at BIRW less damaging than it might have been. (Broken ribs, but no punctures or bleeding.) Cheaper than an inflatable, and it always works.
Great solution. I like the automatic inflatable ones. They are comfortable and you forget they are on.
The + for the inflatable is it provides more buoyancy than a normal PFD, the - is well it may not work.
Have you considered swimming lessons, you know as a backup plan.
Have you considered swimming lessons, you know as a backup plan.
Are the regular inflators, (not hydrostatic), prone to go off with water spray?
Maybe even getting damp, etc. from being stored below?
I don't think I find that a pleasant surprise.
No, you have to get quite wet to get it inflated.
You change the bobin every few years. About $8-9
You change the bobin every few years. About $8-9
I like the inflatable for comfort but you may consider one of the jacket type kayak vest. We have a couple we use for our kayak and they are quite confortable. They offer good freedom of movement but also may make a non-swimmer feel more secure.
Have spare co2 carts and actuators on board. Once it pops you have to re-arm it. Swimmers can get by for the rest of the trip by manually inflating it, but nonsimmers obviously cannot.
If comfort is important, then look into a spinlock deckvest.
If comfort is important, then look into a spinlock deckvest.
Check local laws, if the non-swimmer is a youth then they may not be able to use any inflatable lifevest
life vest 
pinion
Chances are if a person has reached their teens or adult hood and never learned to swim, the reason most likely is a fear of the water. A person like this would be safer in a standard pfd.
This would give them more piece of mind.
pinionChances are if a person has reached their teens or adult hood and never learned to swim, the reason most likely is a fear of the water. A person like this would be safer in a standard pfd.
This would give them more piece of mind.
If my wife or daughter go over the side after being whacked unconscious from a boom to the head, I dont want to worry an auto might not inflate. You see the sheriff deputies, Coasties and Navy dudes wearing standard pfd's on deck. Only ones I see wearing inflatables regularly are Navy pilots, who have to wear one in the cockpit along with a G-suit/flight suit.
Used inflatable PFDs on the flight deck always in the Navy. Never went over the side so I don't have personal experience with autoinflators. Given our litigious society, I tend to think they'd work just fine. But for a non-swimmer, I'd recommend the regular PFD. 100% reliable. They'll feel more confident, and that's important when they have a fear of water. My wife doesn't swim and I've seen her rescued at a water park when we were dating. Came out of a slide and was disoriented and didn't stand up. Water is no fun for non-swimmers. Make sure they feel safe, and they'll have much more fun.
In general inflatables are not for non swimmers. It is the first question we ask when someone inquires about them
The police around here all wear Mustang inflatables, so that's what we bought (hydrostatic).
I do agree that for cost, simplicity and reliability, a good foam PFD is a great choice, especially for non-swimmers, and to have onboard for guests.
btw, in terms of Canadian boat regulations, inflatables do not count as meeting the requirement for one PFD per passenger unless they are being worn. We usually wear inflatables, and carry the regular kind onboard, so we always meet the regs.
An inflatable will have slight delay if you go in the drink. That could easily panic a non-swimmer.
Having said that I just bought an inflatable from Cabelas at a great price, but I'm returning it for another model because I find the new one uncomfortable compared to my old WM inflatable. I think I'll go with the Mustang.
Having said that I just bought an inflatable from Cabelas at a great price, but I'm returning it for another model because I find the new one uncomfortable compared to my old WM inflatable. I think I'll go with the Mustang.
I second JohnShannon's suggestion: swimming lessons. For some people, not knowing how to swim will make the entire boating experience unenjoyable with constant worry about going overboard. If they can become confident IN the water, they may become more confident ON the water.
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