PDF's-Life Jackets Your Thoughts???

[danny412]

I use a Shimano gas (CO2 inflated) and my 4 yr old uses a platinum type 1 pfd.
My first question is anyone know if this type will flip him face first in the water, might take it to the local heated swimming pool this w/e to see.
Ive used the yoke type PFD similar to the Shimano on many occasions in military boats and when parachuting over or near a large body of water for obvious safety reasons.
Many people say we are crazy for jumping out of perfectly good aeroplanes(no such thing in my opinion) but at least we always carry a reserve.
If your in a boat with no PFD what have you got to back you up when things turn to S#@T.

Just my thoughts

Danny

[Pirate_Pete_Tas]

I also have 3 "Evenrude Etec" manual inflate yokes that also came with the boat.

Where Stormy Seas send me a letter each year to get my Stormies serviced I have nothing on the yokes. As they are the are the same style od PFD at the Stormy I should be getting them serviced every year too shouldnt I ????? but I have nothing saying I should??????? !!!!!!!

[tinman42]

Hey Topaz
By partially manually inflating a jacket you risk it exploding/rupturing once you deploying the gas cylinder. The cylinder is filled with enough CO2 to fill an empty bladder not one that is partially full already.
I would class this as an extremely risky practice.
I can see the reasoning behind it, but would not recommend it to anyone.

[2manylures]

I also have 3 "Evenrude Etec" manual inflate yokes that also came with the boat.

Where Stormy Seas send me a letter each year to get my Stormies serviced I have nothing on the yokes. As they are the are the same style od PFD at the Stormy I should be getting them serviced every year too shouldnt I ????? but I have nothing saying I should??????? !!!!!!!

With mine the "saying I should" was in the attached pamphlet that came with the jackets. It also stated that if you service them at 12 months that they'll extend the warranty for a further 12 months.

Out of all the things I've purchased throughout my life, the pamphlets that came with all my PFD's are about the only ones I've actually taken the time to read.

[moater]

I wear my "yoke of opression" as I call it,down here in Vic after the heathen Bracks/Brumby cartel imposed it.

I'm more worried about bloody hypothermia for f#$% sake!!

It's very hard to swim with a lifejacket on and yes there've been many cases of people being trapped under their boat and drowning.

The problem in a lot of cases is drongos that take a heap of grog or just go out in bad weather..dipshits!

[TOPAZ]

Tinman42,
The suggestion as mentioned in my earlier post, was from a representative of the Stormy Company in Tasmania. The possibility of over-inflation was raised by Patrol members at the time, and we were told that a small amount or manual inflation would not be sufficient to cause a problem. I can see where you are coming from - how much is safe and how much is too much???
I have just looked at the Stormy website, and they actually recommend manual inflation in a situation of hightened risk such as crossing a bar, but the site warns NOT to then trigger the CO2 cylinder.
We all learn something every day!

Richard

[wilcara]

Yeah, I never thought of that.

[cormorant]

I'll probably be corrected but the older Stormy came with a smaller cylinder than the newer ones ( or the newer ones have a bigger bladder). I have tested mine (older vest) and a it does not inflate to a solid just on the cylinder alone and you have to add several full breaths to get it that way if you wanted. From my in water test I don't think you want them totally solid.

I will often have a couple of breaths in mine and have tested it in the water- will keep me on the surface but won't flip me face up without a bit of wave action so Unless I am knocked out cold it should be good. A couple of breaths still allows me to duck dive under water if I kick which is enough to get me out of the enclosed cabin and I will at least know which way is up.

They have no automatic pressure purge valve that I can see so there is a risk of over inflation and a failure of the bladder.

For the sake of no cost just before your next service pull the cord and see. Do it in the water so you know what to expect. I've done it and leant a lot.

Just make sure you know how many grams your original cylinder was - we have written it on in permanent marker where it screws on.

I notice newer jackets actually have a printed table on them with only 5 spaces for annual checks be they self checks or company service. Fisheries and police will obviously start checking these as the jackets only have a 5 year life it seems.

There is instructions for self test and service with some brands on the websites or in the recharge kits.