safety gear, personal and other

[BarryL]

Hello,

In a previous thread, Merlin2375 started an interesting thread on harness / tethers. That got me thinking (I know, dangerous topic) about the bigger picture of PERSONAL safety gear.

So, I think it would be great to create a list of gear to have, and sort it from most important to least important, and from cheapest to most expensive. Now each person can then start acquiring the gear as you see fit.

I think it's important to have:
-PDF (I prefer a good inflatable, there are also models with integrated harness)
-Hand held VHF (waterproof, some have integrated GPS and strobe light)
-flashlight - if you sail at night
-good knife

What am I missing? What order would you put things in?
Now that this is gear that you would carry on your body when you are sailing.

What gear would you want readily accessible when you are sailing, like a lifesling or other throwable?

Barry

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by BarryL

Hello,

In a previous thread, Merlin2375 started an interesting thread on harness / tethers. That got me thinking (I know, dangerous topic) about the bigger picture of PERSONAL safety gear.

So, I think it would be great to create a list of gear to have, and sort it from most important to least important, and from cheapest to most expensive. Now each person can then start acquiring the gear as you see fit.

I think it's important to have:
-PDF (I prefer a good inflatable, there are also models with integrated harness)

Let me guess... you're an acrobat?? I think you meant PFD... I like the Spinlock deckware series, which have integrated harnesses.

-Hand held VHF (waterproof, some have integrated GPS and strobe light)

Not a bad idea, but you have to remember to re-charge it between outings.

-flashlight - if you sail at night

The LED-based ones have come a long way. The one I use most has both red and white light capability built in, so you can preserve your night vision.

-good knife

I like the Boye knives. Cut line very well, never rust.

What am I missing? What order would you put things in?
Now that this is gear that you would carry on your body when you are sailing.

PFD/harness, Knife, flashlight, VHF

I'd also add good sunglasses, gloves, and a hat, but the VHF would still be last.

What gear would you want readily accessible when you are sailing, like a lifesling or other throwable?

Barry

The Lifesling is probably the best piece of gear developed for MOB situations.

[merlin2375]

I would actually put the knife, higher up and always keep it on your person

Here would be my list:
1) PFD, that you actually wear
2) Knife (keep on your person), in an emergency not really useful if it's in your bag
3) I have an ACR c-strobe inside of my life jacket. I like the idea of having a light on my person and a flashlight
4) Handheld VHF Radio
5) Tether/Harness (harness may be part of your PFD)

You should also always have gloves and appropriate clothing. In some ways clothing can be considered safety if the weather goes downhill badly. Foul weather gear, gloves, sunglasses, and warm clothing are key. Obviously clothing depends on where you live.

These are two great threads on what to bring in general (not just safety):
What's my day bag missing
Day sailing essentials

[Boasun]

The main thing is 'Awareness of the dangers around you.'
Then Lifejacket, harness, attached to the boat. (whistle & Light attached)
Boarding ladders that you can scramble up if you do go over. Rigged so they aren't dragging but you can pull down so you can climb back aboard.
MOB horseshoe and pole. If you can afford them the new MOB sensors for each crewmember and RDF for them.
First Aid Kit, supplied greater then your normal voyaging.
Fire extinguishers. Again more then required for your vessel.
Survivor suits for each person on board in cold waters.
There are more items but each has to be mentioned and explored on whether you need them or not.
But it is better to be prepared and never use them. Then need them and don't have on board.

[erps]

I think inflatable PFD's are great if you don't plan on going into the water. If you know you're going into the water I would pick a regular old life jacket that won't sink if it leaks everytime.

Boasun, we're going to get a couple of exposure suits for the work boat. I've gone in the water with one of the old style gumby suits before but I see now some of the exposure suits are more like SCUBA dry suits. Any recommendations there?

[Boasun]

Check out the couple of brands of exposure suits and see which one meets your needs. There are some that can be worn while working and some that are strictly for survival.

[DrB]

but if I am sailing alone, I don't wear a inflatable PFD, I wear my kayak PFD, which has a harness, but also has pockets. I tether myself with the harness.

On the back of my PFD, I have a waterproof strobe attached and on the front, my handheld VHF radio is attached. I have a knife on the other front attachment. Inside pocket one I have a plastic whistle that is tethered to to the snap closure, and a small basic GPS, that basically gives coordinates. It's not on, unless I take it out and turn it on. In the other pocket I have a energy bar.

If I go over and I can't get back in the boat for some reason, I can use the radio and the GPS to give my coordinates. The whistle is there in case I need to signal somebody that may be close that can't see me. The strobe is another "see me device", and the energy bar is a little food.

The kayak PFD allows me to swim more easily than a inflatable and won't pop or lose air. The down side is if I am knocked out when I go in, it may not turn me me face-up.

DrB

[Freesail99]

If you use a dinghy, oars.

[erps]

If you use a dinghy, oars.

an I try not to take a motorized dinghy any further than I'm willing to row back.

[sailingdog]

A dinghy should also have a handheld VHF on it, if they are going to be going out of visual sight range of the big boat. If they have a problem and start drifting out to sea, wouldn't it be a good idea to have some way to let someone know what is going on. Sometimes, even if you have oars aboard, the oars aren't going to cut it due to wind or current.