Question on Inflatable PFDs

[Dave S]

Boating Magazine has a very good article in their current edition on inflatable PFDs. It covers the various types of inflatables and goes over all the pros and cons of each type. However they recommend not to use certain types of PFDs unless you are a good swimmer or unless you are 16 years of age or older..............but they don't say why. :smt021

Can someone explain why you have to be a "good swimmer" to use certain inflatable PFDs? :smt017

 

[gerryb]

When going overboard, you will need to swim to give yourself enough time to 1)re-orient yourself in the water and then 2) find the pull trigger on the vest. Once inflated, the bouyancy will be about the same as a non-inflating PFD.

 

[tphinney]

which issue, I know I have seen what your talking about but it's not in the August issue of Motor Boating....

as a side note I did invest in the fany pack infatable PDF for when i'm out solo. I would have rather had the SOS suspenders version, but the fanny pack was on sale at west marine for nearly 70% off. One of thoese deals you just can't pass up.

 

[Dave S]

which issue, I know I have seen what your talking about but it's not in the August issue of Motor Boating....

My mistake................it was Boating Magazine. I have edited my original posting. Sorry. :smt021

 

[RT 240SD]

Most of the fanny pack designs for kayakers require you to pull a pullstring to deploy as previously stated. So that may be what they are talking about.

The around the neck self inflators are triggered by the water. They use a salt pill that dissolves, activating the cartridge. This takes a few seconds at most.

Recently was involved in showcasing them and watching them work. Extremely nifty and seemingly extremely reliable. My only concern was the neck hole in the ones that go around your neck looked a little small for this fat man and my head might pop off when they inflate (which is very fast and furious).

Also, you need to remember to replace the cartridges every year (approx $35 each if I'm not mistaken).

 

[Four Suns]

We use inflatables exclusively when we are out on the water cruising. I carry the traditional "orange uglies" but when we are on the boat, everyone has an inflatable on. Without reading the article, here's my experience with these things.

There are various models of these things and they do make them for kids. Here's a shot of my youngest a few years ago when he was 6 years old:

The child version of these vests (up to 50 pounds and 50 to 90 pounds) has floatation like a ski vest and then when the trigger is activated, it blows up behind the head as well as around the chest. I have the child version of these things set so that they inflate automatically when they are in the water.

The SOSpenders version of these things you wear around the neck can be activated automatically by the disolving of a bobbin in the trigger also or they can be configured to be manual activation only. I've set ours to be manual activation only for everyone (again... except the child versions). Let me explain why I've set them to manual.

Every year when I repack these things, we have a "abandon ship" drill and everyone gets to go in the water off the boat (at our dock) in their vest. If you've never experienced one of these things inflating, you should. It is very cold air and they are tight around your neck and chest and you'll definitly float but you won't be "swimming" or moving much. They are also so snug around the neck it would be very hard to put it back on inflated if it is taken off. We all determined we wanted to be able to have some mobility in the water to get in the life raft, round up kids, etc. and "pull the trigger" if needed. Guest life jackets, however, are automatic.

The other issue with the automatic bobbin is that any moisture or high humidity can and will set them off unexpectidly. If you have to be out in the rain or get any spray, you don't want the life jacket going "POOOOF".

The life jackets can be configured to manual by replacing the disolving bobbin cartridge with a manual cartridge:

and then a little tag hangs out to identify it:

I'm sure I'm violating some rule, but everyone is in a jacket of some sort when we are underway and, as I said, I also carry the orange uglies and also ski vests on the boat for water sports.

You do have to maintain these things and replace the CO2 cartridges, check the inflation mechanisms, and I also have strobe lights in each of the vests packings that have to be checked. You also will need to carry some repacking supplies on the boat in case you inflate them for any reason.

Now here's a shot of what happens when they inflate when you least expect it. We were on our way from Havre de Grace to Annapolis the other day and I had my hand on my trigger and hit a wake... POOOOF.. I didn't expect it and it blew up and my son thought I was having a heart attack and reached over and unbuckled the vest. I said some choice words. My wife snapped the picture laughing....

 

[cr0ck1]

Most of the fanny pack designs for kayakers require you to pull a pullstring to deploy as previously stated. So that may be what they are talking about.

The around the neck self inflators are triggered by the water. They use a salt pill that dissolves, activating the cartridge. This takes a few seconds at most.

Recently was involved in showcasing them and watching them work. Extremely nifty and seemingly extremely reliable. My only concern was the neck hole in the ones that go around your neck looked a little small for this fat man and my head might pop off when they inflate (which is very fast and furious).

Also, you need to remember to replace the cartridges every year (approx $35 each if I'm not mistaken).

:smt043 :smt043
IM a big guy too.. i can imagine puttint it on, jumping overobard than pulling the string and choking to death due to it being too tight around the neck.. LMAO

 

[osd9]

I was just looking at some inflatables in Westmarine the other day. I'll have to read the article before I "pull the trigger" and buy a full set of these.

Great real world explanation Gary...thanks for the post... :thumbsup: ...Oh....and by looking at the zig-zag in your wake in that picture, you can see just where it inflated..... :grin:

 

[Dave S]

Dom...........at least he didn't jump overboard.

 

[Asureyez]

Inflatable Guy Here!

I've been using inflatables for many years, matter of fact even before the CG recognized inflatables in the limited manner they do now.

I have six Auto or Manual inflating "CrewFit" suspender type jackets that are at least 18 years old. I also carry 6 Type 1 Offshore Preservers. Three children's assorted sizes, (1 toddler) jacket and two small pet jackets. I can accommodate 12 adults, 2-3 children and two dogs ... for a nice day on the Ocean.

Crewfit (UK) pioneered the Suspender Inflatable style and was later made by Sterns under Crewfit License as SOSpenders. All are serviced every year by me, the gas cylinders weighed the membrane bobbins checked and replaced as necessary and the manual firing cords and triggers tested. I inflate the jackets manually and test for air leaks and then repack with a check date note inserted in the mechanism sleeve.

These Crewfit are really slick as the mechanism is protected from inadvertent water splashes to avoid accidental deployments. The vest must be immersed for it to fire. There is nothing on the market today that is a rugged and well constructed as these Crewfit's. If you ever see them in a bone yard grab them, they are ACES.

The bobbins on these CF units are a cellulose membrane that dissolves in 2-3 seconds and the spring driven ram pin flies into the gas bottle. They inflate in a blink of an eye. The other thing about these units is the material is fabric with synthetic plastic inner coating so the inflated collar is equally tough as the exterior. If for some reason the auto mechanism fails there is a red tab that is pulled to pop the gas bottle for manual deployment. I have added to the breast pouch opposite the mechanism, McMurdo sea water driven lights and these are also inspected for swelling or loose plus and activation lines.

Evey crew member that is to use a inflatable should have it fitted to them specifically before leaving the dock. I label each with tape for each crew member so they can get into their own assigned jacket quickly if told to do so.

In the late 80's there was a company that was way out in front of the marine safety industry on inflatable products for yachting called Survival Technologies over in Apollo Beach Fl. I went to one of their on the water demos in Texas and went away sold on their gear. The original "MOM " Man Overboard Module was their hallmark product and is still made today however by Switlik who owns them now.

I also have some of their other products (no longer made but serviceable), Throwing grenade that pops into a horseshoe, a leather pouch in an on the belt fanny pack that pops out a horse shoe. My goal is to have something that will be used and worn by guests that might object to a Type 1 or suspender type.

In order for a Life preserve to meet CG approval it must hold a persons head out of the water when that person is unconscious.

Manually deployed inflatables are not effective for the injured or impaired passenger or crew. Hence the requirement for being a swimmer.

IMHO, these products are only suitable for the skipper that will religiously maintain them. If this is not going to be done, then get Type 1's and save the money and the lives.

 

[b_arrington]

Not having read the article, I'm not really sure why they have the swimming / age recommendation. The only thing I can think of would have to do with the manual type (have to remember to pull the tab in a panic situation). For kids, they also might forget to pull the tab or get panic when the vest inflates.

I have an automatic SOSpender model that's a couple years old and I love it. It's very comfortable to wear daily, and reasonably comfortable when inflated. I'm a big guy too, and I don't think it was too tight but maybe it's just my model.

As for the worries about the pills dissolving from splashes, I think most of this concern has been resolved, depending on the mechanism used in the vest. Some older designs could be deployed due to spray, etc. My model had a newer design (at the time) that had a circuitous channel water had to travel to before it could dissolve the pill, preventing accidental activation. It cost more (of course) but I had an open sailboat at the time and didn't want a blow up situation like Four Suns.

There are some even newer designs that don't rely on a dissolving pill at all and should be completely immune from activation from a splash or high humidity. They are activated by hydrostatic pressure, meaning they must be submerged in a couple inches of water to activate.

When my son gets older I plan to get an auto inflating PFD for him. For now there aren't any that fit him (he's 13 months and 24 lbs.). I've bought him two of the Mustang kiddie vests for about $180 and he hates them both. The one he actually doesn't mind is the old ugly orange kapok-style vest that was free. :huh:

 

[bob]

I also have the manually-operated C02 cartridge type. I had always wondered how well this PFD would work as far as bouancy, so I used the "manual" mouth tube to inflate the jacket and found out I had been wearing the PFD too loosely. Sure, it was comfortable to wear on deck, but in the water I found myself slipping downward against the arm openings--very uncomfortable, and just barely keeping my head above water. In order to feel comfortable in the water, you have to really tighten the adjustable straps, so much that it can be uncomfortable to wear in its "dry" state.

I'd suggest those who have these manual types do the same thing--try inflating them and see how well you float in the water, it could be eye-opening!

 

[comsnark]

I will admit it: You are wiser men than I.

I don't wear PFD's while on the boat. I only don one when planning to be in the water, or I am on the bow. Kids are a different topic. Jetskis are also a different topic.

Of course, I am more of a fair weather skipper and I don't see anything more than 3-4' seas in my area even during Nor' Easters. (I make it a point to not be on the water during Nor' Easters)

Now since I am not always WEARING the PFD, the primary ones on the boat are the ski vest type; as I simply wouldn't trust the inflatable to be ready when I need it -> I say that knowing that I am too lazy/cheap to be buying new ones every year.

I keep plenty of the orange Gilligans island things on board -> by my goal is to always have enough ski jackets for everyone on board.

 

[Robski97]

Gary,
good post. The vest that went off looks like a hydostatic one. I think eveyone that has an inflatable vest should experience atleast once them being activated... Was alot more violent then i would have thought.

Rob