Self Inflating Life jackets

[wessel]

We use the auto inflating ones on all our offshore construction jobs.
You get used to them after a while when you have to wear them 12 hours plus every day of the week.

The more expensive ones tend to stand up to abuse a bit better than the average commercially available ones. For weekend fishing the cheaper ones are just fine. Just dont store them in direct sunlight or in humid conditions.

When the auto ones are serviced, the CO2 cylinder and the dissolvable tablet is replaced annually. You could do it yourself, but the suppliers will not send replacement spares to the general public.

When you fall in the water, the jacket normally inflates within 3 seconds from first contact with the water. The inflation time of a jacket is in the region of 5 to 8 seconds average. (Auto inflators) It is not quite airbag speeds here.

With both types the little toggle tends to get in the way and people tend to hide the little ripcord away inside the jacket. That can be a problem if you fall in and you are trying to pull the cord. Kids tend to play with the little cord - quite funny when this bright yellow balloon suddenly appears around their necks.

Have fun

Wessel

[gif]

Cheers Wessel - glad to hear your experience.

Actually I have bought replacement parts from BIAS - so no need to go to the supplier.

Mine went off inside a locker - that got a lot of water after washing the boat. Bit if a nuisance to get it out.

I store them on a shelf now days.

Gary

[rick_k]

Marlinqld makes a good point when he wrote:

We also have coastal life jackets on the boats. These are best when in water as they hold your head correctly.... something to consider when buying

As with anything, lotsa pros lotsa cons........ investigate before paying.

Well, that might be two points. Anyway, if you are relying on a PFD1 to keep you alive for a long time, or an inflatable lifejacket, they may not do the job. PFD1s don't have the same amount of bouyancy in the same spots as the SOLAS/Coastal mods, and my name brand non inflatable PFD1 will not turn me onto my back.

A Tassie pro drowned some time ago due to becoming too tired to re-inflate his inflatable (respects to his family).

But, if it is too uncomfortable to wear, it won't do much good either.

[cormorant]

Inflatables are fine as a precautionary jacket for day to day or fishing 1 up but if you are in a serious emergency I'd pick a old style jacket PDF 1 everyday but only a good quality commercial grade one. They aren't cheap but when we look at what we spend on boats it isn't that much extra and keep them where they can be accessed not in some hole somewhere as you'll never get them out in time in an emergency.


I have tested a quality brand inflatable in fresh water and it didn't turn me over every time and was slower than any lenght I could hold my breath. In salt water it worked a bit better but not aways. Must be my body shape as it was one that had passed the Aussie Standards.

Don't take your non inflatable jackets off the boat and always use them in an emergency if you have to abandon ship.

I'd like to see a inflatable jacket that filled with a solid foam so that it would take a bit more of a beating if it had a hole or was cut. Disposable but I wouldn't care about that if it saved my life and they could do a refil bladder so you don't have to buy it all again.

[Rodman]

Just a word of advice with the self inflating life jackets as they are required by law to be checked annually at a cost of approx 80 dollars

Rodman

[DR]

from msq

Retailers of PFDs sell re-charge kits for my brand and model PFD. Can I do the
service myself?
Self servicing of inflatable PFDs is not recommended. However, should you consider
yourself competent to do your own service you may. Follow the manufacturer's instructions
and ensure the re-charge kit matches your jacket.
Documentary evidence of the servicing is required. Keep the receipts for re-charge kits and
record the service dates.

so you can do it yourself.
with hutchwilco you replace the cylinder every 3 years for $20something dollars.