[ccriders]

Is there a relationship between how much a person weighs vs the flotation pounds of a PFD?
A regular passenger on my boat weighs in excess of 200 pounds, maybe 225. I have inflatables rated at 26 pounds flotation and rigid Type IIIs. I suggested that he use the rigid given his weight. Was that good advice? As summer comes on, a rigid vest will become increasingly uncomfortable and he may wish to wear an inflatable. We sail in bay waters that can develop five foot short period waves, perfect for creating a MOB situation.
Your thoughts?
John

 

[miatapaul]

I don't know are you saying the guy is fat? I believe fat is more buoyant that muscle, so perhaps he needs less than a very stocky muscular body individual? I know when I took Red Cross lifesaving, I weighed perhaps 125 pounds and the guy I had to pull out of the water in my test was likely 225 to 250 of solid muscle and he was a lot harder to pull out of the water than the girl I was practicing with who was at least equal in weight, but certainly not muscle. 200 even 225 does not sound particularity big to be worried about it, and is likely in the normal realm of expectations.

 

[Hudsonian]

Typically Type III PFD's have about 14 pounds of buoyancy. They don't have nearly the buoyancy of modern inflatables. Type III PFD provide better insulation -- particularly, in the boat -- but because the inflatable will do a better job of keeping your head out of the water you'll probably lose body heat slower if your using an inflable. It's easier to swim in a Type III

 

[aloof]

As everyone is nearly weightless when in the water weight doesn't have much to do with it. I would guess the flotation rating of a PFD is whatever is needed to lift one's head and mouth well clear of the water. What is the weight of a flabby human head and neck? Certainly not 26 pounds. For safety I would base PFD selection on the conditions and fitness of the crew. Rough weather indicates the top grade PFD. Skilled race crew, especially on inshore courses, the lightest gear.

 

[tempest]

The average person needs only about 7 to 12 lbs. of extra Buoyancy. 26 lbs. of buoyancy should be plenty for your friend. Leg straps would be a good addition for your inflatable.

a plan for getting someone out of the water who may be injured or unconscience his the real challenge

 

[mitiempo]

If you are concerned get a pfd with 35 lbs of buoyancy. Mustang for example have value priced pfd's with 26 lbs buoyancy and more expensive ones with 35 lbs buoyancy.

 

[georgemci102a2]

Being new to sailing and, being caught off guard today by serious winds and chop,(almost lost it) im following this thread with great interest.Im in the 180 pound range and i also want a PFD that i can and (WILL) from now on wear at all times while on the boat.My intention is not to hijack this thread,but to bump it up to see what others are using...Thank you...George.

 

[aloof]

Jacklines and harness. Prevents falling off. No PFD necessary. PFD is useful if there is a crew that can drive the boat back to pick you up ... successfully.

 

[capt jgwinks]

Rule number one is don't fall off the boat. But as we're a species of rule breakers, some consideration must be given to pfd's. As was mentioned, a body is nearly weightless in salt water, and a little less so in fresh. Fat is lighter than muscle or bone, so a flabby person needs less flotation than an athlete. It all comes down to sea conditions and comfort. If your pfd is cumbersome or uncomfortable, you're not going to wear it. An inflatable will serve most anyone well in most conditions. If you're in a severe storm and in danger of sinking, you should probably be wearing a type I and/or survival suit. If I were single handing offshore I probably wouldn't wear one at all. Watching the boat sail off without you would just prolong the suffering. Rule 1: Don't fall off the boat. Your harness is your first line of defense.

 

[ccriders]

If you are concerned get a pfd with 35 lbs of buoyancy. Mustang for example have value priced pfd's with 26 lbs buoyancy and more expensive ones with 35 lbs buoyancy.

So this is what got me thinking about body weight vs bouancy. If 26 is okay, why 35? Since manufacturers label 26 as inshore and 35 as off shore, then the difference must have more to do with sea state than body weight. I would think increased bouancy would be dictated by breaking seas vs "combers" the first being more common inshore.
I personally wear a PFD rated at 35 lbs with harness, primarily for single handing. I would not take guests out when conditions merit harnesses, and at the time 26 lbs seemed sufficient. I only started second guessing that when I compared the bulk difference of 200+ pounds vs 185, not thinking that bouancy would probably be the same.
Thanks for your inputs. I will share your advice with my guest and let him choose.
For what it's worth, on yesterday's sail the wind snapped up to 20 kts gusting to over 25, and I found myself at the mast putting in a reef on the main wishing I had run the jack lines as the chop increased very rapidly to steep 5 foot short period waves. It's really hard to work getting a reef in using one hand and would have been great to have the added safety of Jack lines and tether. Either that or put in the reef in the slip when the wind is a mere 8 kts.
Live and learn.
John

 

[PitApe]

---snip---Rule 1: Don't fall off the boat. Your harness is your first line of defense.

Actually, your brain is your first line of defense. Harnesses, jack-lines, PFDs, MOB gear are all there as backups, and should ideally never be pressed into service.

 

[The Smokester]

US Sail publishes independent analyses of sailing accidents. They often evaluate the performance of pfds in real accidents. Read the reports here relevant to the way you sail:

United States Sailing Association | Safety Reports

Lots of circumstances where 35 lb or more of buoyancy is desirable...Like when your clothing is filled with water in large seas. Generally, only inflatable pdfs can supply this kind of buoyancy in a size comfortable for routine wear.

Inflatables can also adjust their buoyancy for when you need to swim out from under an overturned boat, or swim in through surf.

 

[georgemci102a2]

Great thread,(very informative)...Just ordered the mustang MD3184...thx George.

 

[Minnewaska]

FAT..... Flotation Assistance Tissue. The OP is probably over thinking the problem.

 

[hellosailor]

John, buoyancy varies all over.

Some folks sink like stones, others float even in fresh water.

PFDs all have buoyancy ratings, but also consider that a Class1 is supposed to turn you "face up" in the water, the others don't necessarily do that.

Any PFD with a crotch strap and buoyancy "low down" is going to push someone higher up out of the water, even with the same numbers, because buoyancy above the surface just doesn't count. So, that's unequal and not taken into consideration.

And then even with inflatables, they are available with "USCG" required minimum buoyancy or from some sources, in "extra" buoyancy models. I'd suggest that in this case, more is always better, because each extra pound of buoyancy is going to get your head and FACE further above the water, and if there's any wind blowing, any spray being thrown up, you've got a better chance of drowning from that spray getting in your nose and mouth.

Then there's another factor: You may not be the only one depending on your one vest. I had a SCUBA buddy get in trouble and nearly panic. I tried to (power) inflate their BC to get them to the surface, and it didn't work. We wound up using my BC alone to get BOTH of us above water level.

Suppose you go overboard, and you're not alone. But you've got the only PFD. Would you rather share the big pfd? Or the "barely legal" one?

Yeah. Thought so.(G)

 

[mitiempo]

All Mustang pfd's (with the exception of the belt model) are designed to keep your head out of the water.

 

[hellsop]

Some folks sink like stones, others float even in fresh water.

True enough. In high school, I could sit crosslegged on the bottom of the pool for 20-30 seconds, perfectly still. It confused the hell out of the teacher that believed all people were naturally buoyant.

 

[Sanduskysailor]

32# is the minimum for most offshore races like the Chi Mac. Sounds like a reasonable number. Bought leg straps for my 35# Mustang inflatables this winter

 

[Minnesail]

Great thread,(very informative)...Just ordered the mustang MD3184...thx George.

That's what I have, I really like it. It's easy to wear and the built-in harness works well.

 

[Minnewaska]

Most everyone can manipulate whether they are naturally either positively or negatively buoyant by the amount of air they hold in their lungs.

The good news for pfds is that stressed victims almost always have full lungs.