Life Jacket Question

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Scurvy

Scurvy

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Oct 2, 2012
35
Sabre ex: 28 MK 1 , ex: Albin Vega 27' Falmouth, ME
This is probably a dumb question, but it wouldn't be my first! Is there anyway to convert a manually triggered Life Vest to an automatic inflating life vest using the bobbins? I have an old stearns manually inflatable vest that has been great, never had to use it (knock on wood) but in the event of a man overboard and "God Fobid" I was unconcious when I hit the water, the manual rip cord/ toggle would do me no good. Just curious if there was anyway to convert it somehow to an auto inflate?

Cheers
Chris
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,219
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Most manual units cannot be converted to automatic. The automatics can be converted to manual, however.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Its easy to go the other way around, but I've never heard of being able to do this. Normally the inflator is permanently attached to the vest. But have a look. If its a Halkey|Roberts the parts may be interchangeable

http://www.halkeyroberts.com/products/inflation/manualautomatic-inflators-new.aspx


But this is SOLAS gear. And you do say its an 'old' life jacket. Might be a good reason/excuse to just buy a new one!
 
Scurvy

Scurvy

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Oct 2, 2012
35
Sabre ex: 28 MK 1 , ex: Albin Vega 27' Falmouth, ME
I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to do that. Guess the next one will have to be automatic. I did see articles where one could go the other way with them, but I am not sure why anyone would want to?
 
Scurvy

Scurvy

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Oct 2, 2012
35
Sabre ex: 28 MK 1 , ex: Albin Vega 27' Falmouth, ME
Jackdaw, mine looks very similar to the 840 manual rip cord unit in the link you provided.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Scurvy said:
I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to do that. Guess the next one will have to be automatic. I did see articles where one could go the other way with them, but I am not sure why anyone would want to?
Click to expand
Three good reasons:

1) When inflated in the water PFDs are VERY hard to swim in. Some sailors prefer to decide if they want the ability to easily swim, or the buoyancy.

2) If it auto-inflates in a full capsize, it can make it impossible to get out from under the boat unless you de-inflate it

3) The lesser ones inflate when they get wet. This can cause them to go off while on deck when hit with a wave. The better 'Hammer' hydrostatic models require actual water pressure, do they don't go off when just wetted.
 
Scurvy

Scurvy

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Oct 2, 2012
35
Sabre ex: 28 MK 1 , ex: Albin Vega 27' Falmouth, ME
Those are three very good reasons. :)
 
Sailm8

Sailm8

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Feb 21, 2008
1,751
Hunter 29.5 Punta Gorda
I have a friend who slid overboard during a race and cracked her head was knocked out and happy to have had a self inflater. You just never know.
 
Scurvy

Scurvy

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Oct 2, 2012
35
Sabre ex: 28 MK 1 , ex: Albin Vega 27' Falmouth, ME
I guess I will stick with my old sospender vest. I have to rearm it this winter anyway. Thanks for the info.
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,204
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Auto Inflate

I had mine inflate when I picked it up and found I was standing on the trigger cord. Big surprise! Then I was annoyed that the guidebook I used to buy a replacement had the incorrect information, so I had to buy two kits.
 
Scurvy

Scurvy

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Oct 2, 2012
35
Sabre ex: 28 MK 1 , ex: Albin Vega 27' Falmouth, ME
Rick D said:
I had mine inflate when I picked it up and found I was standing on the trigger cord. Big surprise! Then I was annoyed that the guidebook I used to buy a replacement had the incorrect information, so I had to buy two kits.
Click to expand
Oh no! That's awful!!!

It is getting a little bit harder to find the 38g 3/8ths threaded Co2 cartridges. I think the newer jackets use a different CO2 setup. I found a good deal at a gas supply site...about $9 cheaper than the marine supply stores that I frequent on the internet (far too often mind you) lol;)
 
R

Ray Bowles

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Oct 6, 2008
857
Hunter, Island Packet, Catalina, San Juan 26,38,22,23 Kettle Falls, Washington
6 years ago I assisted in a successful rescue of a sailor from a capsized (turtled)16' sailboat. He was wearing an auto inflate lifejacket. The jacket inflated trapping him in the rigging under the boat. Thankfully he was in an airpocket in the cockpit area and had to rupture the jacket with his knife to dis-inflate it and get out from under the boat.
I sail solo most often and personally prefer the manual inflate. The main thing is to wear the jacket.
Ray
 
S

saltysailor

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Jun 14, 2011
47
Cal 2-27 Oceanside
I tested my auto inflate jacket recently and found it very easy to deflate. If anyone is worried or curious, try it out. I was impressed at the speed of inflation, the buoyancy and tendency to keep my head upright and I don't think it impedes the ability to swim more so then any other PFD I've used. Anyway, my point is you shouldn't be worried about not being able to get the air out- you should just know how by trying it.
 
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