PFD question
- Thread starter AADIVER
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mae west! type 1
Seriously, if they are able bodied, the type 4's are most comfortable. sorry no make or model... the type 4's can be more like jackets, or vests.
take a look at the aps site.
http://www.apsltd.com/c-3502-life-jackets-pfds-tethers.aspx
Seriously, if they are able bodied, the type 4's are most comfortable. sorry no make or model... the type 4's can be more like jackets, or vests.
take a look at the aps site.
http://www.apsltd.com/c-3502-life-jackets-pfds-tethers.aspx
And a lifeline. No need to worry if you're wearing the "right" pdf if you can keep yourself on the boat in the first place.
I have the SOSpenders self inflating type by West Marine that I picked up at Minney's for $25. He gets them in every once in a while.
I also have a Mustang ice jacket that is fully insulated. I use that during the winter months to keep warm and provide flotation. I is rated as a Type III USCG approved pfd. It is bulkier than than my ski parka but less bulky than my parka and PfD. It will also allow me to delay hypothermia if I do go over. Nothing like serving up a warm meal for the sharks.
http://www.mustangsurvival.com/products/product.php?id=663
I am not a strong swimmer so I wear a rip-cord-triggered CO2 inflatable Mustang MD3082 vest when sailing. It is not bulky or hot so there's little incentive to go without it. It has a lifting harness built in. An automatic inflatable (triggered by getting wet) would be a good choice when there's no rain or heavy spray. I'd probably buy one of each if I couldn't swim. In my opinion the belt pack type is not suitable for a non-swimmer.
http://search.defender.com/?expression=inflatable+vest+PFD&x=5&y=9
http://www.apsltd.com/c-3547-manual-or-automatic-inflatable-pfds-by-mustang.aspx
http://search.defender.com/?expression=inflatable+vest+PFD&x=5&y=9
http://www.apsltd.com/c-3547-manual-or-automatic-inflatable-pfds-by-mustang.aspx
I ditto the Mustang MD3082.
Lots of choices for inflatables. But, if I were a non-swimmer I'd certainly consider a 'self inflating' model and simply carry extra cartridges and 'triggers' when the errant 'deployment' does occasionally happen.
BTW - its never to late to learn how to swim or at least learn how to 'drown proof' yourself. YMCAs etc. do this training all the time ... better safe than sorry and no matter how 'uncomfortable' you are when IN the water.
Lots of choices for inflatables. But, if I were a non-swimmer I'd certainly consider a 'self inflating' model and simply carry extra cartridges and 'triggers' when the errant 'deployment' does occasionally happen.
BTW - its never to late to learn how to swim or at least learn how to 'drown proof' yourself. YMCAs etc. do this training all the time ... better safe than sorry and no matter how 'uncomfortable' you are when IN the water.
What PFD would you recommend for a 71 year old non-swimmer, make and model? Thanks.
I always felt we are all 'non-swimmers' after several minutes in the water tired, or unconscious, hurt...
With that in mind, a Mustang type auto/man with D-rings would be a good option. Comfortable and more likely to be worn at all times and tethered.
You do not state the persons physical condition... a bulky pfd could make mobility more difficult in someone with age associated deficits.
Just my 2cents
I always felt we are all 'non-swimmers' after several minutes in the water tired, or unconscious, hurt...
With that in mind, a Mustang type auto/man with D-rings would be a good option. Comfortable and more likely to be worn at all times and tethered.
You do not state the persons physical condition... a bulky pfd could make mobility more difficult in someone with age associated deficits.
Just my 2cents
All go ideas.
I can't tell from the post whether this is for your use or for a guest, but....
Learning to swim, very well, seems like an essential boating skill to me, at any age. It's fun, it's good exercise, and I believe it greatly improves the safety of those wearing PFDs.
I can't tell from the post whether this is for your use or for a guest, but....
Learning to swim, very well, seems like an essential boating skill to me, at any age. It's fun, it's good exercise, and I believe it greatly improves the safety of those wearing PFDs.
- Not just enough to paddle around. Enough to swim 1 mile in open water with confidence, several strokes is even better.
- Doesn't need to be fast. Can be very slow, but form should be efficient. My 80-year old dad is very slow, but he can go and go and go, very slowly.
- A swimmer has a MUCH easier time reboarding.
- I don't believe the stuff about "we are all non swimmers" in the event of cold of injury. That is sometimes true, but has also proven NOT true many more times. A skilled swimmer, if conscious, always has a better chance.
- No panic. This is a big deal.
though all great ideas in the perfect world, we take friends out, parents, children and the only person who qualifies under your list is my ex lifeguard brother who still competes nationally... and I agree with a previous post that said it doesn't matter much what your ability if you just got hit with a boom or slipped and got knocked out or hurt......or the water is cold or ....whatever, and there are so many whatevers.
We have 4 off shore PFD with D rings.. 2 auto, 2 manual and will continue collecting them as we have the cash. I think they are very comfy and though we don't wear them as much as maybe we should they are always there for everyone. We of course also have the standard 4 pak of vests plus 2-3 others all set up with mirrors and whistles etc.
Really? I guess I spent most summers at the pool and beach with the family when young. Most of my family, as much as 80 years old, meets the above definition. I did mention that my dad is slow, but exceptionally steady. We think little of snorkling 1/4 mile off the beach (currents considered).
I disagree with the cold water issue. I've been in 32F water a few times and know of others, and being a confident swimmer made a HUGE difference.
Very few people go in unconscious. Could happen.
And I did not say that PFDs were bad, only that learning to swim well is a basic boating and life skill, in my humble opinion. Failure to learn to swim well is, from some point of view, a failure to safety seriously. I certainly felt that way about my own children.
Since it's usually just the two of us, we invested two years ago in the Mustang hydrostatically-triggered inflatable. I bought mine with the integral harness, because I also occasionally sail with my adventure-loving friends, but in hindsight I should have had harness points on both.
They're a tad heavy but comfortable, and we're in the habit of wearing them whenever we're on the big lake.
They're a tad heavy but comfortable, and we're in the habit of wearing them whenever we're on the big lake.
The most effective answer to the question is "The one that you will wear." PFDs are recommended to wearing at all times. On my boat, when things are manageable, we go without. When things begin to get . . . interesting, or fun, they go on, no arguing with the skipper. But (here comes the palid excuse) we have life lines and have rare occasion to visit the foredeck. I have a Mustang inflatable that I find comfortable.
Swimming skills and PDF's
Really I most agree with the post here that says the best PDF is the one you'll wear! In racing, we almost never wear our PDF's, in fact, it is a long running joke that if I put mine on, it is a death sentence to our wind! and it is true!!
So, I agree with you that being a strong swimmer is a great idea and exactly as you put it, an essential lifeskill.
Catsailor, I don't disagree with you that being a decent swimmer is really important, and all of my family are lifetime swimmers from Jr. Guards, competitive swimmers to lifeguards,. My point is more the fact that being a good swimmer is not enough in many cases. Look back at a post about 6 weeks ago by someone who fell off their boat in the slip and had to swim, in his clothes, cold water, just a little distance and felt that he almost could not make it. He was shocked at how exhausted he was by the experience as well as all the energy it took to get back up on the dock. So my point is that when we are suddenly overboard, there are alot of things that come into play, that are very different from going for a nice long swim by choice. Also I was making the point that my 85 year old mother, even though she can swim, would be likely in such shock if she fell overboard that she would not do well without a vest of some sort.
Really I most agree with the post here that says the best PDF is the one you'll wear! In racing, we almost never wear our PDF's, in fact, it is a long running joke that if I put mine on, it is a death sentence to our wind! and it is true!!
So, I agree with you that being a strong swimmer is a great idea and exactly as you put it, an essential lifeskill.
Certainly a good idea to learn to swim, but at 71? may not happen.
Re: your cold water comment. There is a difference bewteen entering the water slowly or willingly vs. slipping and falling totally unexpected and it makes no difference if you're a good swimmer or not .....
When anyone falls into cold water there is always a risk of cold water shock reflex and hypothermia. Cold water shock reflex is an automatic reflex where the body tells itself to gasp. If the mouth is near or below the surface of the water then the possibility of breathing in water and drowning is very great.
( quoted from CanadianYachting.ca article. on man overboard)
Eddie, you're right. Type I pfds don't have the chance of mechanical failure, etc. But I fish in south Louisiana. The summers are incredibly hot and humid, and fishing wearing a Type I is uncomfortable to say the least. My inflatable is much more comfortable. Consequently, I wear it from the time I get on the boat at the boat launch to the time I haul it out at the end of the day. It's also a good example for my favorite fishing buddy, my 10 year old boy.
Wink, yes, heat is a serious consideration in warm
weather situations. In any case I like to carry Type Is for everyone on board.
weather situations. In any case I like to carry Type Is for everyone on board.
Yeah, the OP was from Longbeach, CA. I think type ones and cold water are a bit of a thread drift, since southern ocean dress and summer bay dress differ. One size seldom fits all, and sometimes trying deflects meaningful comments. A type one on the Chesapeake in mid-summer is a clear safety hazard, probably more severe than no vest (heat stroke). I do not believeI am exagerating--I believe that last statment to be true.
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