Quote:
Originally Posted by bubb2
OK Smack, I am the guy that told Jody that tied off to a rail was a bad idea. I also told him to have a harness under his jacket was a bad idea, do you disagree? Do you think that was bad advice? Would you please post where "Skip" cliipped to a rail?
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I'll actually address the "bad idea for Jody" since well I am him.
Attaching to the stern rail actually was the most secure area for me at the helm to attach to. Considering that I am using a 6 foot tether and I have a sugar scoop that extends 4 feet past the stern rail - if I was to be knocked over - I would land on the step on the sugar scoop.
Secondly - having the life vest UNDER the foulies also is not always a bad idea. It nominal conditions - and wearing light nice weather gear - absolutely should be worn as the last layer. My foul weather gear is bigger than needs be so that it I can use layers. If I was to be knocked over - the biggest issue would be getting to the d-ring to be hoisted - I could live with that because I have a backstay that I could also get to in the event - remember I have been a MOB before on my own boat. I make decisions based on overall what if scenarios and not "always do this" because someone says that is so.
Secondly - being knocked over the bigger foul weather gear would also trap air after the PFD under it inflates- and actually lift me higher in buoyancy than if it was over it. The life vest being over would remove any air pockets that could be formed. One of the survival skills learned in the navy if you were a MOB - take off your pants - tie the ends of the legs into a knot and then pull the waist down into the water and the legs would trap air and you could improvise a flotation device. Same principle here.
Lastly - I was getting doused with feets worth of water sheeting onto me from the oncoming 10-15 foot waves. I did not want the PFD to inflate prematurely.
Only addressing it because I failed to address it as it I only saw the "snide reply comment" and not the original comment.
So - there is the rest of the story in terms of the advise - and why normally I may agree, but not in that situation...And for doubters - do what I did - at a YMCA pool for real (please have a safety line and a qualified person to supervise)- and then do it the way that you demand to be done - and discover for yourself.
Sorry I didn't address this earlier.