Harness and PFD

[sailingdog]

I prefer an integrated harness and PFD, since I think it is easier and simpler to adjust it rather than having to don and adjust two separate pieces of gear.

Do you prefer an integrated harness and PFD or separate harness and PFDs, and why?

[erps]

Cold weather, integrated.
Tropical weather, harness only.

[Steekel]

I don't always wear my PFD when I'm out. Day sails in the harbor(Long Beach, Ca) in calm weather, motoring in calm etc. I DO wear it when solo, or conditions call for it. Also when novices or childern are aboard as an example. When I do wear it, it's 1 unit, so I don't have to think about putting on multiple pieces. Also since I'm already weariing it, I'm much more likely to use a teather sooner than later.

Jerry

[chucklesR]

If I was going to wear a harness then I'd already be past the point I'd be wearing a PFD. Silly to wear just one. I would however have two PFD's, one with, and one without a harness.

[GerryMH]

we use PDF's always when sailing at night or when either of us feels the weather warrants them. Personally I find the safety harness sufficient most of the time. My view is that once I am over the side I am probably dead! Keeps me on my toes...
Always use a tether with two attachments, never move forward at night without being clipped on and a second person in the cockpit.

wwwgerryantics.blogspot.com

[TrueBlue]

My "preference" is to use intergrated, but since our 4 Sospender inflatable pfds don't have an integrated harness, we typically just wear the PDFs inshore. We also have 6 Sospender, belt-type inflatable PFDs for use with the dinghy, kayaks and as coastal supplements.

However, I always use my separate harness with a 6 ft tether and jacklines - whenever solo sailing, in heavy weather and when going forward during offshore passages. This is in addition to the inflatable PFDs.

[soulesailor]

My PFD is my whitewater kayaking jacket which has an integrated harness. If you are going to wear one you might as well wear both. It also has on it a knife, whistle and mini light. I feel the harness on my jacket is superior to normal sailing harnesses because the ring is on the back. If I am getting drug it won't be face first. The tether isn't in my way when I walk around, either.

[hellosailor]

Integrated. No time, budget, space, to keep two of everything and "less stuff" works for me.

[jimmalkin]

All integrated - clipped on, in cockpit and on deck, at night, in weather or single person awake. And with a new rule - clipped on when "peeing" over the side. SD is right about CG's % of drowned men with zippers down. In retrospect, there have been too many times when I could have slipped and tumbled over the side - freak wave, unexpected wake, sudden roll, etc.

That poor guy on the ICW.

[camaraderie]

We sailed in tropics and only used harnesses but had PFD's and throwing aids close at hand. Rule was if night or alone on watch...always be clipped in. Having an enclosed CC design with ALL sails controlled from the cockpit and no deck work normally needed contributed o this philosophy. If I ever needed to go on deck, the mate would be at the wheel and on watch. Idea is to NOT go overboard. Since I never single hand, I felt no need to wear a PFD but I certainly would given recent events and mere prudence.