Have you tested your PFD?

[jssailem]

I went to my local pool with my PFD. The date for expiration said 2021.

I’m feeling a bit uncomfortable.

My auto inflate PFD failed to inflate when I jumped into the pool.
The system said it would inflate if under water. I went in at 6ft, to the bottom. Maybe it needs to go in deeper.
It worked when I pulled the inflation cord. That was nice.

It is good to test these things. Knowing how they work before you go in the water in an emergency is a good thing.

 

[kappykaplan]

It is good to test these things.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Hydrostatic or dissolving tablet type? With the tablet 6’ should be plenty - it just needs to be wet enough.

 

[jssailem]

Hydrostatic design.

 

[jaysweet]

I've been sort of worried about this issue. Mine are from maybe 2005 or 2006. Yikes...

But they're manual inflating types, West Marine, I think.

 

[Leeward Rail]

It is good to test these things. Knowing how they work before you go in the water in an emergency is a good thing.

The need to test all gear and techniques is obvious IMO, but for many people it's not.

Decades ago when I was constantly buying sailing magazines, I noticed a big difference between the UK and USA published ones.

The UK ones had a ton of practical info, including tests of techniques and equipment. The USA ones often seemed to just be big ads to sell boats.

@jssailem 's type of epiphany experience, is exactly why I want to organize a hands-on, MOB recovery practice, with actual humans, in the controlled environment of the marina.

I don't think people truly realize what it is like if they hit the water in their PFD, and how hard it is to get someone back aboard their specific boat. I am hoping that the dockside lesson will teach a few things, and maybe change thinking. Especially when it gets much harder when out on the water, in conditions where you may experience a real MOB.

 

[jssailem]

sailing magazines, I noticed a big difference between the UK and USA published ones.

I don't think people truly realize what it is like if they hit the water in their PFD, and how hard it is to get someone back aboard their specific boat.

true statements.
You should have everyone read this article. It is eye opening about what really happens when one goes over board. Getting a person back on board is a whole more complicated evolution.

Is it safe to use a tether? - Practical Boat Owner

Perceived wisdom is that if you fall overboard, staying tethered to the boat will keep you safe. But is that the case? PBO’s test team conduct some trials… with sobering results

www.pbo.co.uk

I recently added this rescue ladder/sling to my boat.

https://www.sosmarine.com/product/sos-recovery-ladder/

 

[Mark Maulden]

We have a couple of West Marine Coastal inflatables. They are about 7-8 yrs old and the color indicator still indicated green. Got the wife and went to the garage and donned one and pulled the cord. It inflated and boy did it inflate. I did not have the straps cinched up as tight as they should be. (Learned this by this experience). I now know that the straps need to be cinched tight as the bag started raising itself high and very tight around my neck (In the garage) and no water floatation. I was eyeing the box knife on the bench!! In the water, this could be at the least very frightening. I swim at the Y and maybe they will let me do a water test…

 

[jssailem]

I swim at the Y and maybe they will let me do a water test…

YES! I would do that. My unit is a Spinlock Deckvest 170n inflatable with sea hood. It worked when pulled. I have opened and manually inflated the tubes each year. This is the first time I've jumped in the water with one. It is a good thing to practice holding your breath when you go under. In the cold Pacific, the normal reaction is to gasp as the cold water hits your face. You gasp you drown. So you have to fight this natural reflex.

When I get up on my boat I am going to work up a drill to practice MOB and recovery.

Hope all will share their plan. Talking and practicing your plans will help you when the pressure of the event happens.

 

[Johnb]

I totally forbid the use of life jackets in chlorinated water.

 

[jviss]

Decades ago when I was constantly buying sailing magazines, I noticed a big difference between the UK and USA published ones.

What does this have to do with this topic?

 

[jviss]

I totally forbid the use of life jackets in chlorinated water.

What does that mean? Holy cow, how can you forbid anything?

 

[Johnb]

What does that mean? Holy cow, how can you forbid anything?

You look really stern and say "Don't put any of our life jackets in the pool".

 

[Jim Legere]

Others may differ, but I don't feel the need to test my Mustang PFDs in the water. Every spring I inflate them using the mouth tube and leave them inflated overnight. If they don't lose pressure/are still hard next day, the bladder passes. For the manual and automatic PFDs, the gas cylinder is removed and weighed (full weight is stamped on it). For the hydrostatic ones, I also inspect the Hammar device for 'green flag' and expiry date. Everything is visually inspected for wear or corrosion, the cylinders are screwed back on, and then the PFD is deflated and repacked. This gives me confidence in the PFDs for the whole season.

 

[jssailem]

For the hydrostatic ones, I also inspect the Hammar device for 'green flag' and expiry date.

For the past 5plus years I have followed the same routine.

Spring preseason manually blow up PFD. Leave for 24hours. Fold and reset the bladder.

With the green flag showing but the date expired testing in water seemed a reasonable next step. Local sea water being in the 55-56F range, a jump into the Sound was not appealing. A brief jump in the pool served the purpose and was instructive. Fresh water rinse off all gear. Air dry. Installing rearming kit. Ready for the new season.

 

[BarryL]

Hi,

There is lots of good information in these posts.

My only suggestion is that that if you're motivated enough to jump in a pool or practice COB stuff, you might as well take it one step further and take a safety at sea seminar. Specifically a hand on class. I took the international offshore class in the spring and we had to put on our foul weather gear, with PFD, and jump into a pool. In the pool you had to perform a number of training exercises, such as staying together as a group, staying warm, etc. In addition to the in water training we also used fire extinguishers and shot off flares. It was very worthwhile.

if you do any distance races, a certain percentage of the crew must have passed the class.

Barry

 

[Marmalade]

I agree with @BarryL on S@S... it's a good skill builder for things that you think you know, but have never done.

Your own "testing" by jumping in a pool is also great, why not. Wearing fully foul-weather gear when doing it is even better... and first, try jumping in without the life jacket, just to see what it is like to go into the water in foulys without a life jacket (spoiler alert, I was surprised how well I floated for the first few minutes with foulys on, I expected it to be difficult).

My biggest takeaway from S@S... crotch straps. Tight shoulder/waist straps were mentioned above... and that's great, but the lifejacket chambers are going to raise around your head when in the water. And they will keep doing it. You will constantly be trying to pull the lifejacket down to keep your head higher out of the water. Think it's bad in a calm pool... what do you think waves will do...

I hated the idea of crotch straps...until I experience how well they kept the lifejacket down, and how much higher my head was out of the water.

I also experienced I could easily adjust the crotch strap in the water, so I can leave it "comfortable" when on the boat, and tighten in the water.

Try it... if you think you don't need them, see what happens in a pool... and remember, in real water there is waves and wind... think if you'd want your head low or high...easily decision for me.

My crew for Mackinac are required to have crotch straps... they didn't like it at first, but they've accepted its a rule on our boat. Cost less than $25 to add to any lifejacket... your life is worth it, your crew-mates deserve the best chance to save you too.

Stepping off the soapbox now.