Type IV/Throwable PFD's - What do you use?

[Four Suns]

I notice that a lot of people carry around a throwable ring for their type iv pfd and usually mount them behind the helm or in the cockpit and have their boat's name on them... very nautical looking...

However

I've never had a real MOB situation out in the open water (have had the dog jump off in the river though) where there are significant waves and things are not too controlled. One of the things that came up on our trip last month was when one of our dogs fell in the water and the dinghy was on the swim platform, it was a nightmare getting the dog back on the boat. We ended up having to lower the platform, take the dinghy off, and get the dog on that way. When I tried to pull the dog up on the edge of the platform with the dinghy on, it pulled me in the water... a mess... Here's a pic of the setup:

I guess in the debrief after this event, I realized how hard it would be to get someone back on the boat if they fell off in any kind of waves and I had my dinghy or jet ski on the platform. The swim platform can't be lowered in the water with waves (at least it shouldn't be) due to the stresses it puts on the transom when the boat is bobbing around with that thing underwater. Additionally, the ladder on the platform can't be deployed with the dinghy or jet ski sitting on top of it.

There was a boating accident here a few years ago where two guys went out in a viking-type of boat fishing and they found the boat and their fingernail marks all around the back as they tried to get back in the boat after BOTH ended up in the water somehow. They never found the guys....

So I guess my question is this... Do any of you have a lifesling as a type iv pfd? Opinions? I have been looking at them and they make one for powerboats with I think a 3 or 4 to 1 tackle that can quickly mount on either side of the boat. Anyone ever tried to pull 100+ pounds of weight on the platform in a MOB situation in wave/weather action?

 

[Asureyez]

MOB retrieval

Hi Gary:

I carry a 150' floating Nylong braid line that can be snapped onto a throwable cushion. One end cleated to the stern and then drug around a MOB as if picking up a skier. ONce the MOB has the cushion they can be hauled to the boat.

BUT as you have found out, getting the person on board when they can't help is pretty much impossible without mechanical advantage.

I keep a 5:1 block and tackle from an old sailboat main sheet with snap shackles on each end. The hauling end with the camlock is attached to the grab rail on the lazzerette and the working end attached to the MOB and the MOB hoisted up onto the swim platform. If the platform was too dangerous, the hauling end can be attached to the port grab rail on the radar arch and the MOB brought onboard over the gunnel.

The Life sling is a great rig and if I didnt already have this other gear, I'd have one of those, but the block and tackle in that kit is a little small and I think requires working gloves to use the skinny line.

 

[Four Suns]

Even with boats that have open and fixed swim platforms, I just wonder how anyone can get "dead weight" on the thing. I do a lot of fishing in the winter months and the water temp is 40 - 50 degrees and 5+ minutes in that and a person isn't going to able to climb up on the platform... and the bigger Sundancers and DB's have the fixed platform 12" above the water so it's not like picking a skier up in my ski boat IMO (we also don't ski in 3+ waves). Obviously, getting the person to the boat is easier than getting them on the boat. Wonder how many people have thought through this.

 

[Presentation]

Wonder how many people have thought through this.

I have given it thought, but only in one direction. Me helping a crew member, not the other way.

I have four advantages.

1) I am 100# bigger that my next largest crew member and can lift our largest crew member, my wife, with one of my arms under her arms.

2) Our swim platform is low to the water. See the photo in my signature.

3) I am a PADI diver and have experience diving in cold water / ice diving. Although winter dives are in dry suits, spring and fall dives are in neoprene and summer short dives are often with no thermal protection. I’ve also experience diving during moderately heavy seas.

4) When the kids swim I have practiced tossing them the type IV and pulling them in and getting them onboard. I’ve done this in calm and in windy conditions. I have found that tossing the type IV over their head and a bit upwind or up current then pulling it back to them gives me the most control. Also I secure the end of the line to a boat cleat.

 

[Turtlesboat]

I've had to do this many times for my rescue diver certification. I've actually had to do this on the water in a real life situation when a diver's lungs ripped open on an assent. Fairly easy if you know how to do it and practice doing it. If you grab them under their arms, you can get their torso onto the platform. I would suggest actually practicing it several times with family members so they could find the best way without causing more injury. It's a good way for kids to learn how to get you back on the boat if something were to happen. There are rescue coarses you can take that show you how to tow someone in the water and give CPR at the same time too.

 

[Turtlesboat]

If you google water rescue courses

a ton pop up. I highly recommend taking one if you boat a lot. it will also teach first aid and CPR which is helpful on land too. I can't tell you how important and fulfilling knowing something like this is. And to be able to actually save someone's life because I knew it is pretty great.

one of the most used skills I learned was how to approach, escape and get control of a drowning swimmer. I've used a few times when someone that can't swim well panics in the water. They will do everything in their power to get out of the water which includes climbing on top of you.