Space Bags

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Bad Obsession

Bad Obsession

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May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
Does anyone have any thoughts to using space bags to store my lifejackets in? The bags are supposed to prevent mildew from getting on things and they are supposed to reduce the storage size of things. Does anyone else have any uses for spacebags aboard their boat?
 
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Brian

I don't know about that

I'm concerned about you having to get the life vests out of a sealed space bag at night, in rough weather, while taking on water and trying to do a million other things to save the boat. I think it might be best to keep life vests as accessible as possible. But I'm not familiar with how easy it is to open a space bag. Somrthing to thnk about.
 
Paul Akers

Paul Akers

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Dec 3, 2003
2,101
Hunter Legend 37 Portsmouth, RI
The Coast Guard Recommends...

...that they not be in any type of wrapper. There should be no means that would interfere with someone accessing and donning them. They shouldn't even be tied up with the straps that they are supplied with. :)
 
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David11054

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Jun 2, 2004
425
- - Sandusky Harbor Marina, Lake Erie
Wear them

Most tragedies on the water happen so fast there is not time to find and put on a life jacket. Suddenly you are in the water, maybe unconscious, maybe injured, Having flotation may be the difference between life and death. Buy one of the automatic inflatables if (as with us) a regular pfd is too warm for summer days. These are just to easy, and comfortable not to use! David Lady Lillie
 
Rick Webb

Rick Webb

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Jun 2, 2004
3,612
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
More than A Recomendation

A PFD still in the wrapper does not count towards your required complement. Putting them back into a bag would be the same thing I imagine. Besides I think it is better to let them air out when not in use. Just keep them out of the sun as much as possible. Here is another hint. When folks board your boat have them size one of the pfds for themselves as part of your predeparture checklist. At that point it may be their option to leave it on. Have each of the PFDs identifiable there are a number of ways you can do that number them, a different color ribbon on each whatever works for you. This way if they are needed everyone is familiar with how to don them and it is already sized and ready to go_Of course the best PFD is the one that is worn.
 
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Ed

this is a really bad idea.

The idea of space bags is to suck out the air to save space, this compresses the air out of the life jacket. then you pull it out to use it and its flat, and it stays flat and it wont work properly, floating wise that is!
 
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patrick

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Jun 7, 2004
944
Birch Bay Washington
Bad idea for life jackets

We use them for blankets and clothes. The main downside is that you have to use a vacuum cleaner to really suck out the air and that takes a lot of amp-hours or else shore power. It really does help to keep things organized, too.
 
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Ray Bowles

Puncture very easily.

We tried these type storage bags, both the expensive and cheaper types on our IP 38. Our long term storage items were stacked in lockers atop each other and we found that both types ripped and punctured very easily. Way too easily to be of much use especially after the price was figured in., As far as life jackets are concerned, I feel it is best just to bite the bullet and buy good, comfortable jackets that people will wear instead if trying to find an out of the way place to stash them and then frantically looking for them when the CG rolls into town. Ray
 
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Matt Borders

Storage isn't the problem....keeping mildew at bay

Just want to keep mildew from getting to the PFDs. Don't want to make it hard to get to them.
 
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