Manual or automatic inflating life jackets.
- Thread starter Louis
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Automatic
At the end of the day, this is the device that you'll hopefully never use, but if you do, it better work. And to work it has to inflate. I'm not predicting anyone getting knocked unconscious, but I think the difference in cost (just found auto vs manual; same vest; $5) is well justified. We have four; they weren't cheap initially, but having paid for them, I would definitely buy automatic inflation.
At the end of the day, this is the device that you'll hopefully never use, but if you do, it better work. And to work it has to inflate. I'm not predicting anyone getting knocked unconscious, but I think the difference in cost (just found auto vs manual; same vest; $5) is well justified. We have four; they weren't cheap initially, but having paid for them, I would definitely buy automatic inflation.
I got one of each 'cause I was unsure
about wearing an auto in heavy weather and rain. I've learned the auto's do not suffer from "inappropriate" inflation, get autos.
about wearing an auto in heavy weather and rain. I've learned the auto's do not suffer from "inappropriate" inflation, get autos.
Both
I have two manual but went out and got two auto's for my wife who is not a swimmer and for nervous guest,better safe than sorry. I got them on sale at boat show and a new boat to use them. Nick
I have two manual but went out and got two auto's for my wife who is not a swimmer and for nervous guest,better safe than sorry. I got them on sale at boat show and a new boat to use them. Nick
Remember to test.
With both types you need to test them periodically and then buy re-arm kits. Neither will support you if they don't inflate.
With both types you need to test them periodically and then buy re-arm kits. Neither will support you if they don't inflate.
Get the
AUTOMATIC... they still have a manual pull if you are concerned they won't work. And yes... you can blow them up yourself... if you are concerned the manual won't work. Other than that... you can purchase one of those orange thingy's you probably won't wear.
AUTOMATIC... they still have a manual pull if you are concerned they won't work. And yes... you can blow them up yourself... if you are concerned the manual won't work. Other than that... you can purchase one of those orange thingy's you probably won't wear.
Get the automatic!! You can
Change it over to manual if you want, the instructions will tell you how. Tom s/v GAIA
Change it over to manual if you want, the instructions will tell you how. Tom s/v GAIA
Forgotten Issue here!
Get one with a built in harness even if you don't add the jacklines till later. The best way to stay safe is to stay with the boat.
Get one with a built in harness even if you don't add the jacklines till later. The best way to stay safe is to stay with the boat.
Hi Louis, I've been wearing an automatic...
vest for several years and it has yet to inflate spontaneously. You can also inflate it manually if you choose. I keep a whistle and portable beacon attached to it in the unlikely event I go overboard. We also have the built-in harness version. I set the boat up with dual jack lines and each vest has the dual tethers; three and six foot to help when going forward. I talked to Karen Thorndike about jack lines and she decided against using them. Instead she used several clip on points around the boat. She feared that the jack lines, while keeping her with the boat, would drag her to death. Terry
vest for several years and it has yet to inflate spontaneously. You can also inflate it manually if you choose. I keep a whistle and portable beacon attached to it in the unlikely event I go overboard. We also have the built-in harness version. I set the boat up with dual jack lines and each vest has the dual tethers; three and six foot to help when going forward. I talked to Karen Thorndike about jack lines and she decided against using them. Instead she used several clip on points around the boat. She feared that the jack lines, while keeping her with the boat, would drag her to death. Terry
Add a crotch strap to harness for fall protection.
If you use an inflating life jacket with the harness built in it is a good idea to add a crotch strap to keep the harness from pulling off over your head. It used for fall protection the jacket and harness can come off over your head and it will happen faster than you can react.
If you use an inflating life jacket with the harness built in it is a good idea to add a crotch strap to keep the harness from pulling off over your head. It used for fall protection the jacket and harness can come off over your head and it will happen faster than you can react.
rfd
hi we use the manual rfd style lifejacket I just felt it was safer activating the cylinders manually if required as the auto life jacket can activate when they get wet confused
hi we use the manual rfd style lifejacket I just felt it was safer activating the cylinders manually if required as the auto life jacket can activate when they get wet confused
rfd
hi we use the manual rfd style lifejacket I just felt it was safer activating the cylinders manually if required as the auto life jacket can activate when they get wet confused
hi we use the manual rfd style lifejacket I just felt it was safer activating the cylinders manually if required as the auto life jacket can activate when they get wet confused
Auto inflate
Hi Confused; I have been wearing SOS Suspenders Auto inflate with harness for about 7 years now, with no accidental inflation in all weather. I even demonstrated them to our yacht club by standing in a poolside shower while extrolling their virtues for about 4 minutes, and them jumping into the pool with someone timeing me with a stop watch. From the time I jumped off the edge of the pool to fully inflated and floating on the surface was 3.2 seconds. fair winds Dave
Hi Confused; I have been wearing SOS Suspenders Auto inflate with harness for about 7 years now, with no accidental inflation in all weather. I even demonstrated them to our yacht club by standing in a poolside shower while extrolling their virtues for about 4 minutes, and them jumping into the pool with someone timeing me with a stop watch. From the time I jumped off the edge of the pool to fully inflated and floating on the surface was 3.2 seconds. fair winds Dave
Auto inflate
Hi Confused; I have been wearing SOS Suspenders Auto inflate with harness for about 7 years now, with no accidental inflation in all weather. I even demonstrated them to our yacht club by standing in a poolside shower while extrolling their virtues for about 4 minutes, and them jumping into the pool with someone timeing me with a stop watch. From the time I jumped off the edge of the pool to fully inflated and floating on the surface was 3.2 seconds. fair winds Dave
Hi Confused; I have been wearing SOS Suspenders Auto inflate with harness for about 7 years now, with no accidental inflation in all weather. I even demonstrated them to our yacht club by standing in a poolside shower while extrolling their virtues for about 4 minutes, and them jumping into the pool with someone timeing me with a stop watch. From the time I jumped off the edge of the pool to fully inflated and floating on the surface was 3.2 seconds. fair winds Dave
Periodic Re-Packing
Just to tag onto what Harvey (Reply #5) said, an "Automatic" vest is not necessarily "automatic". To the best of my knowledge, both Sospenders and Mustang inflatable vests require periodic user/customer maintenance such as what he mentioned, but also repacking, just like inflatable life rafts. If the inflatable portion of the vest is left in the same set it can develop air leaks along the creases or wear points. An automatic vest is only automatic to the extent it is maintained in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Although probably not stated in the manufacturers instructions, I would think this would also include checking regularly for the manufacturers recall notices. For example, see Coast Guard recall link: http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:f4EtCsUSJBAJ:www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mse4/SOSPENDERS-recall.doc+sos+sospenders&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6 Life is not a no-brainer, and neither are 'automatic' vests.
Just to tag onto what Harvey (Reply #5) said, an "Automatic" vest is not necessarily "automatic". To the best of my knowledge, both Sospenders and Mustang inflatable vests require periodic user/customer maintenance such as what he mentioned, but also repacking, just like inflatable life rafts. If the inflatable portion of the vest is left in the same set it can develop air leaks along the creases or wear points. An automatic vest is only automatic to the extent it is maintained in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Although probably not stated in the manufacturers instructions, I would think this would also include checking regularly for the manufacturers recall notices. For example, see Coast Guard recall link: http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:f4EtCsUSJBAJ:www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mse4/SOSPENDERS-recall.doc+sos+sospenders&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6 Life is not a no-brainer, and neither are 'automatic' vests.
Periodic Re-Packing
Just to tag onto what Harvey (Reply #5) said, an "Automatic" vest is not necessarily "automatic". To the best of my knowledge, both Sospenders and Mustang inflatable vests require periodic user/customer maintenance such as what he mentioned, but also repacking, just like inflatable life rafts. If the inflatable portion of the vest is left in the same set it can develop air leaks along the creases or wear points. An automatic vest is only automatic to the extent it is maintained in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Although probably not stated in the manufacturers instructions, I would think this would also include checking regularly for the manufacturers recall notices. For example, see Coast Guard recall link: http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:f4EtCsUSJBAJ:www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mse4/SOSPENDERS-recall.doc+sos+sospenders&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6 Life is not a no-brainer, and neither are 'automatic' vests.
Just to tag onto what Harvey (Reply #5) said, an "Automatic" vest is not necessarily "automatic". To the best of my knowledge, both Sospenders and Mustang inflatable vests require periodic user/customer maintenance such as what he mentioned, but also repacking, just like inflatable life rafts. If the inflatable portion of the vest is left in the same set it can develop air leaks along the creases or wear points. An automatic vest is only automatic to the extent it is maintained in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Although probably not stated in the manufacturers instructions, I would think this would also include checking regularly for the manufacturers recall notices. For example, see Coast Guard recall link: http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:f4EtCsUSJBAJ:www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mse4/SOSPENDERS-recall.doc+sos+sospenders&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6 Life is not a no-brainer, and neither are 'automatic' vests.
Get the built in harness
We didn't and now have to wear both devices when cruising. Next time we'll get the integrated harness versions. We also use tether points, such as folding padeyes that are well secured to the deck, and not jacklines.
We didn't and now have to wear both devices when cruising. Next time we'll get the integrated harness versions. We also use tether points, such as folding padeyes that are well secured to the deck, and not jacklines.
Get the built in harness
We didn't and now have to wear both devices when cruising. Next time we'll get the integrated harness versions. We also use tether points, such as folding padeyes that are well secured to the deck, and not jacklines.
We didn't and now have to wear both devices when cruising. Next time we'll get the integrated harness versions. We also use tether points, such as folding padeyes that are well secured to the deck, and not jacklines.
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