I was curious how many of us are using inflatable pdf's, if anyone has had a M.O.B. with one and how they performed. I think I could get my 17 year old son to wear one alot easier than his conventional vest. (He's invincible you know.) Thanks for the input.
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Bob
Inflatables
There are two types of inflatables. The kind that inflate when they get wet automatically or the pull cord type. There are also around the waist types also. There was a drowning here in Chicago last Sunday during a race where a 31 yr. old was wearing an around the waist inflatable. It either malfunctioned or he couldn't get to it in time. If you use them, be sure to check them before going out everytime. It's worth taking the extra few minutes to inspect something that could save your life. AND, after yesterday, no one is invincible! Things happen when you least expect it.
There are two types of inflatables. The kind that inflate when they get wet automatically or the pull cord type. There are also around the waist types also. There was a drowning here in Chicago last Sunday during a race where a 31 yr. old was wearing an around the waist inflatable. It either malfunctioned or he couldn't get to it in time. If you use them, be sure to check them before going out everytime. It's worth taking the extra few minutes to inspect something that could save your life. AND, after yesterday, no one is invincible! Things happen when you least expect it.
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Ed Schenck
Not a fan of inflatables.
Have both types of inflatables though, around the waist and harness type. But when sailing Lake Erie with 6-footers and 20 knots of wind I put myself and the crew in "real" PFDs. Probably should be tethered also but never have. I would always wear a good PFD if racing.
Have both types of inflatables though, around the waist and harness type. But when sailing Lake Erie with 6-footers and 20 knots of wind I put myself and the crew in "real" PFDs. Probably should be tethered also but never have. I would always wear a good PFD if racing.
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Bruce Mulford
I put my inflatable sospenders on..
...whenever I leave the dock (even though I never sail beyond the central Chesapeake). It dawned on me while reading an article in Sail about the subject that I'm always the one at the mast or on the foredeck or whatever. The new spinnaker we added this season increased my time on the foredeck. I leave my wife at the wheel when doing so. I'm much more exposed to going over the side from the heaving foredeck (darn power boat wake) or while reefing in a blow and we both admit that while she would eventually get back to me, it might be a while. I have the automatic inflatable Sospenders. They also have both a manual override pull cord for the co2 and a tube to inflate them yourself. At about $130 they weren't cheap but I'm worth it. They are reasonably comfortable to wear and much cooler in the summer than a full vest pfd.
...whenever I leave the dock (even though I never sail beyond the central Chesapeake). It dawned on me while reading an article in Sail about the subject that I'm always the one at the mast or on the foredeck or whatever. The new spinnaker we added this season increased my time on the foredeck. I leave my wife at the wheel when doing so. I'm much more exposed to going over the side from the heaving foredeck (darn power boat wake) or while reefing in a blow and we both admit that while she would eventually get back to me, it might be a while. I have the automatic inflatable Sospenders. They also have both a manual override pull cord for the co2 and a tube to inflate them yourself. At about $130 they weren't cheap but I'm worth it. They are reasonably comfortable to wear and much cooler in the summer than a full vest pfd.
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Jim
A PFD has to be worn
I never wore a PFD until I bought a sospenders auto inflating vest. Now I wear it any time I get out of the cockpit or am sailing alone and always when racing. One good thing about them, is they provide much more floatation than a standard vest. If you do get one, get the auto inflater which has a manual backup as well as a tube you can blow into to inflate it. I wouldn't get the manul type with the rip cord simply because if you hit the water unconscious, you might as well not have the vest on all. There is nothing more reliable than a good life vest, but if you don't wear it, it won't do any good. I only carry the inflateble type for myself. Incidentally, the inflateable only counts as required PFD by the coast guard if you are wearing it.
I never wore a PFD until I bought a sospenders auto inflating vest. Now I wear it any time I get out of the cockpit or am sailing alone and always when racing. One good thing about them, is they provide much more floatation than a standard vest. If you do get one, get the auto inflater which has a manual backup as well as a tube you can blow into to inflate it. I wouldn't get the manul type with the rip cord simply because if you hit the water unconscious, you might as well not have the vest on all. There is nothing more reliable than a good life vest, but if you don't wear it, it won't do any good. I only carry the inflateble type for myself. Incidentally, the inflateable only counts as required PFD by the coast guard if you are wearing it.
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tom
I love them
My entire family always wears the pfd's as soon as we get in the boat. My children wear kids pfd' (age 3 and 5). The fact that everyone is wearing a pfd makes it simple for the kids. I fell off the dock wearing my inflatable and it worked very well. It wasn't an emergency but it was comforting to see it inflate in about 3 - 5 seconds. I recomend testing the pfd at least every other year. I wear a conventional pfd in my dingy.
My entire family always wears the pfd's as soon as we get in the boat. My children wear kids pfd' (age 3 and 5). The fact that everyone is wearing a pfd makes it simple for the kids. I fell off the dock wearing my inflatable and it worked very well. It wasn't an emergency but it was comforting to see it inflate in about 3 - 5 seconds. I recomend testing the pfd at least every other year. I wear a conventional pfd in my dingy.
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Tim Schaaf
Inflatable PFD'S, with integral harness,
may well keep you from ever having to inflate! I sail offshore, singlehanded, a great deal, and would not be without my Crewsaver "Crewfit". They do provide much more flotation, and I agree 100% on the benefit of the auto-inflate feature. There are quite a few manufacturers, and I would check for different models, as they fit different people, and men and women, with varying degrees of comfort. I searched for one so comfortable that I can leave it on, bare-chested, when I sleep......so I have NO excuse! An inflatable also leaves you with much more manueverability, and may actually help keep you from going over. They have been standard issue abroad, and on serious offshore racing, things like the Whitbread, etc., for years, although the USCG has only recently, and somewhat grudgingly, accepted them. Like most beaurocracies, they are inclined toward "idiot proof" solutions, but may not consider if the solution is so cumbersome that the "idiots" won't use them! End of rant.
may well keep you from ever having to inflate! I sail offshore, singlehanded, a great deal, and would not be without my Crewsaver "Crewfit". They do provide much more flotation, and I agree 100% on the benefit of the auto-inflate feature. There are quite a few manufacturers, and I would check for different models, as they fit different people, and men and women, with varying degrees of comfort. I searched for one so comfortable that I can leave it on, bare-chested, when I sleep......so I have NO excuse! An inflatable also leaves you with much more manueverability, and may actually help keep you from going over. They have been standard issue abroad, and on serious offshore racing, things like the Whitbread, etc., for years, although the USCG has only recently, and somewhat grudgingly, accepted them. Like most beaurocracies, they are inclined toward "idiot proof" solutions, but may not consider if the solution is so cumbersome that the "idiots" won't use them! End of rant.
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Tim Schaaf
"Real" PFD
By the way, inflatable PFD's are, in fact "real", just as your inflatable life-raft is "real"!!!
By the way, inflatable PFD's are, in fact "real", just as your inflatable life-raft is "real"!!!
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