[MedSailor]

I've generally thought these things are hokey and useless, but I have to admit, looking back at my boating career so far, I have spent much more time without a PFD on than with. I'm getting better about it, but I wonder if one of these might help. Or, maybe they're useless....

Anyone use them? Seems like the cats meow in warmer climates.

MedSailor

 

[capttb]

Yeah, Just a little too "fanny pack" for me yet, and after a tough night ashore if I end up in the water before reaching the boat I'm probably too "clumsy" to get it over my head.

 

[Minnewaska]

Those are technically legal devices in aircraft that require floatation for passengers. Truthfully, they are ridiculously inadequate. The dirty little secret is that there is no reason for a multi engine aircraft to be in the water, unless it has a catastrophic problem. In those, the life vest is moot. (Capt Sully truly was extraordinarily skilled and maybe a touch lucky)

As to the vest, you better be conscious, as I'm not familiar with a brand with a hydro inflation device. You have to pull the cord. The odds that you are overboard because you were knocked out, or were knocked out going overboard are pretty good. Then, if you do make it consciously to the water, don't pass out, I'm not sure your face will stay out of the water.

Consider the criticism that a Spinlock vest may run over your head in bad conditions. Those are much more substantial and include crotch straps.

Not for me.

 

[krisscross]

Having been in the drink a few times in unplanned fashion, I get the best PFD my money can buy, and wear it religiously.

 

[hellosailor]

I suppose it beats nothing in calm, flat water.

But why not a conventional inflatable PFD? Maybe something in a nice navy blue, with a Disney licensed Mickey Mouse design to brighten it up?

 

[bvander66]

We use them in our dingy when anchored in areas where there is a current.
small, easy to don and stow in our seat once ashore.

 

[BarryL]

Hey,

Over the years I have moved from wearing a standard foam type life jacket, to wearing a fanny pack type, to wearing a cheap (heavy) inflatable, to wearing a decent inflatable (and I have and wear an 'offshore' type with tether when I race 'offshore').

I almost always wear one, ALWAYS when I am single handing.

I like to think that ADULTS can make reasonable decisions. If you don't want to wear one in calm conditions, are on a boat with good crew, and you are a decent swimmer, I'm OK with that.

I think that an adult, in reasonably fit condition, could put on a fanny pack type PFD when in the water in normal weather conditions for the Long Island Sound. If it were rough, cold or otherwise difficult, I would want to wear something else.

I do think it's better to wear a fanny pack type than have nothing, which is what I see MOST people wearing when on sailboats.

Barry

 

[Minnewaska]

We use them in our dingy when anchored in areas where there is a current.
small, easy to don and stow in our seat once ashore.

That's a pretty reasonable use for them. However, I keep a four pack of type II vests in the dink and use them as a seat.

 

[Ajax_MD]

Hmm. I like the idea of them for the dinghy and those hot, flat, calm days on the Chesapeake.

I wish I could try one or at least see one inflated before I buy any though.

 

[Squidd]

I'm not much of a seat belt (or helmet) person if I can avoid it, but to keep the "man" happy (and the wife) I wear the belt...Most of my sailing is day sailing relatively calm conditions...not much at night...

But when the big squall blows in I switch to an inflateable vest with harness (over foulies) to jackline in...

 

[MarkofSeaLife]

Anyone use them? Seems like the cats meow in warmer climates.

MedSailor

They are GREAT!
I first used them flying in helicopters over water, then found one in a chandlery and bought one to test. By the time I revisited the store they sold out and never see them again.

I use mine all the time when I think conditions warrant
They are tiny and fits in the small of my back, or slips to my side easily.

I will certainly buy a new one and spare next time I see them

Mark

 

[Waterrat]

I love my paddling PFD from Kokatat. It feels funny if I don't have it on while boating. I spend a lot of time around cold water which IMHO belt worn PFD is not suitable. I have never used these PFDs but I see value if a more suitable vest is not going to be worn and unlikely necessary. Warm, calm waters with multiple capable people. What I can't seem to find are PFDs comparable to whitewater rescue paddling vest with integrated harness on front of PFD instead of typical rear attachment. I saw a picture of US Navel Academy sailing vessel and the crew appeared to be wearing foam PFD with integrated harness but have been unable to figure out the brand. I can efficiently swim and dive with my paddling PFD but the inflatables are miserable.

 

[MedSailor]

Those are technically legal devices in aircraft that require floatation for passengers. Truthfully, they are ridiculously inadequate. The dirty little secret is that there is no reason for a multi engine aircraft to be in the water, unless it has a catastrophic problem. In those, the life vest is moot. (Capt Sully truly was extraordinarily skilled and maybe a touch lucky)

As to the vest, you better be conscious, as I'm not familiar with a brand with a hydro inflation device. You have to pull the cord. The odds that you are overboard because you were knocked out, or were knocked out going overboard are pretty good. Then, if you do make it consciously to the water, don't pass out, I'm not sure your face will stay out of the water.

Consider the criticism that a Spinlock vest may run over your head in bad conditions. Those are much more substantial and include crotch straps.

Not for me.

I certainly wouldn't want to be caught dead (because I would be dead ) in one of these in conditions that the guys saw the Spinlock failures. I don proper gear when I feel the conditions warrant, and these days I can always be seen wearing a (real) life jacket in 10+ knots.

I also don't subscribe to the "vest saves you when you go overboard unconscious" theory. My reading of vest tests and how when everything goes well they keep an unconscious person's airway only 4" above the water lead me to believe they CAN NOT save you if you go overboard unconscious. These vests would be just as ineffective as others IMHO.

My intended use would be for calm conditions, because the water around here is cold. I'm curious why Waterrat doesn't think they'd be suitable for the cold. I was imagining them buying me some time in a MOB situation while the boat came around to pick me up.

MedSailor

 

[MedSailor]

I love my paddling PFD from Kokatat. It feels funny if I don't have it on while boating. I spend a lot of time around cold water which IMHO belt worn PFD is not suitable. I have never used these PFDs but I see value if a more suitable vest is not going to be worn and unlikely necessary. Warm, calm waters with multiple capable people. What I can't seem to find are PFDs comparable to whitewater rescue paddling vest with integrated harness on front of PFD instead of typical rear attachment. I saw a picture of US Navel Academy sailing vessel and the crew appeared to be wearing foam PFD with integrated harness but have been unable to figure out the brand. I can efficiently swim and dive with my paddling PFD but the inflatables are miserable.

MTI has some pretty good rescue offerings that you might want to check out. Link here.

I've also been eyeing this offering from Salus which is a foam jacket with the harness in the front. Not USCG approved though.

MedSailor

 

[gamayun]

They would not be appropriate for cold or rough water. Are they labelled as Type V? If so, I think you would need to have another "readily accessible" PFD for transiting US waters.

 

[hellosailor]

Bubblehead-
"I wish I could try one or at least see one inflated before I buy any though. "
When I bought my Crewfit, prior to all the acceptance and regulations, at a boat show they rep said "Here, try it on" and without telling me, he reached up and pulled the inflate tab. Which ain't cheap. But it did make a point, and he sold one to me and one to my friend at the same time, point being made.
If you can't find someone at a show to demo the fanny pack for you, assume that make isn't what you are looking for and see someone who understands marketing & their product better.
(Crewfit has no interest in the US market ay more, and never got USCG certifications, but I keep dancing with the one I came with, so to speak.)
I can always stow it in my daypack, although I've sometimes wondered, if I fall in the water with it stowed that way, htf am I going to get it OUT of the pack again?

 

[MedSailor]

They would not be appropriate for cold or rough water. Are they labelled as Type V? If so, I think you would need to have another "readily accessible" PFD for transiting US waters.

Thats two votes for this opinion. Since this is my intended use, may I ask why they would not be suitable for cold water?

MedSailor

 

[Minnesail]

They would not be appropriate for cold or rough water.

Thats two votes for this opinion. Since this is my intended use, may I ask why they would not be suitable for cold water?

I don't have any experience with this type of PFD, but I have been swimming in Lake Superior in water temps from 34ºF to 50ºF. It doesn't take long at those temperatures before your fingers start to get weak and clumsy. I don't think I'd wanna have to be fiddling with getting something open, getting it over my head, and inflating it. I've even had a hard time gripping the swim ladder after cold swim.

How cold is your water?

 

[Jeff_H]

I had a couple of the belt hung inflatables back in the 1980's or 90's. They were always getting caught on something and torn apart. These days I wear an auto-inflatable harness any time that I am single-handing, have put on foul weather gear or heavy clothing, reefed the sails, have water temps are below 50F degs, short-handed under spinnaker, or at night. These days I have a pressure actuated model, which has yet to auto-inflate or tear.

As others have said, you don't always have the consciousness and presence of mind to do much when you first hit the water fully clothed and off-balance.Regarding the cold water part, there is also that strange cold water reflex to breath in that brings water into your lungs and which takes some time without panic to clear.

Jeff

 

[gamayun]

...Regarding the cold water part, there is also that strange cold water reflex to breath in that brings water into your lungs and which takes some time without panic to clear.

Jeff

Yeah, this is the main reason. It's called immersion reflex. You can asphyxiate in cold water just by the automatic reflex of taking a sharp breath when your face hits the water. As a Florida girl in central California, I had to learn it the hard way. People have told me that you can cover your mouth to keep the reflex from being a problem, but every time I've gone overboard, I've come up sputtering (even though I'm an excellent swimmer) and wondering why I feel like I've nearly drowned because I can't catch my breath - this is with a PFD on! You would probably want an inherently buoyant or inflatable PFD. The latter is best for comfort but they do need to be checked/deployed every so many years, and it's good to have extra inflation devices on hand.