Choosing a lifejacket

[Hightower]

Due to it being a considerably wetter ride than the RIB I'm wanting to purchase a foam style lifejackets for the SIB. Obviously I want the same protection as my inflatable ones give me 175N but can't seem to find these foam ones with the same degree of protection/bouyancy. largest I could find was a 90kg+. Is it that foam jackets are treated more a bouancy aids than proper lifejackets?

What's the story?

PS, I'm a rather trim 120kg's

[SPR]

Baltic - hybrid / rib jacket is what you want, but not cheap...

s.

[MustRib]

That Baltic Jacket is over 300 squid.
I would go for a Hammar 190 or 275 Lifejacket - try the crewsaver ones.
bit less bulky than a 100 newton foam jacket!

[Max...]

The foam adult LJ's are huge...I use a buoyancy aid on the SIB given that I only use it on rivers or on the sea in very fair weather, flat seas and very close to shore.

[John Kennett]

I normally use a kayaking buoyancy aid in the SIB. I'm happy with that and for me the bulk of a foam lifejacket would outweigh any potential benefit.

[Poly]

Andy,

Whilst not technically a SIB my boat is small enough to give me the same dilema from time to time. So depending on the weather, conditions and what I am doing I chop and change between:

- dinghy sailing buoyancy aid
- flotation suit (with or without auto life jacket)
- auto life jacket

The dinghy sailing aid is getting a bit long in the tooth now and I will probably replace it with a sea kayak one (pockets being the main benefit for me). I've looked around and there are no "perfect" SIB life jackets at sensible prices (indeed even the really expensive one mentioned above is pretty bulky and a bit "serious" for playing around off a beach).

Some of the swiftwater rescue bouyancy aids seem to have lots of pockets / pouches which I think would be quite useful in a SIB (with nowhere to keep things) but they are little bit "lifeboat wannabe" in styling, and whilst much cheaper than the Baltic rib, are still not cheap.

[Hightower]

Thanks guys some really handy info there. I am quite a good swimmer and the SIB will only be used mainly in Harbours, estuaries etc so I guess I'll be looking at a bouyancy aid then.

50N or larger?

[Max...]

50N for me, I use one of these below - fantastic value, attractive styling in black, fits well with good freedom of movement. Good waistbelt too for clipping the VHF and kill cord to.

Helly Hansen Rider Buoyancy Aid

[Stippolyte]

A few years ago i got 2 ADEC hammar jackets heavily discounted from the Boat Show, as it's on this week are there any deals available on jackets or vests?

[m chappelow]

Not giving a toss about fashion or what i look like i use the old style Crewsaver foam/air ,in its foam mode it is classed as a bouyancy aid but when inflated by mouth it then is classed as a lifejacket ,

i have messed about in the water with it and it will in its foam only mode it will still turn me over if face down After a few seconds , any waves or when inflated then it within seconds


i also have a swiftwater stlye foam jacket with lots of pockets/clips ect ,though as it has foam at the back and no coller it will not turn me if face down and knocked out .

one thing about foam unlike compact gas lifejackets they are less prone to damage /wear and tear and having no firing mechanism they will work if not serviced or have a hole in them ,and gives a bit of protection from bumps or hard objects .

[treerat]

I use one of these - Polar Bears Rescue Online Shop when playing in a PFD or a manual crewsaver lifejacket.

Both work well and each has their own pros and cons.

Wouldn't go near the autos, too close to the water for that

[Poly]

Originally Posted by treerat

I use one of these - Polar Bears Rescue Online Shop when playing in a PFD or a manual crewsaver lifejacket.

Both work well and each has their own pros and cons.

Wouldn't go near the autos, too close to the water for that

POA - is it safe to assume that like any boat described that way it is out of my budget?

[Nasher]

Andy

When you're down at the boat show try to get along to one of the RNLI sea Safety sessions at the 'sea kitchen theatre'.

We were there on Sunday sheltering from a rain shower and watched an actually quite interesting talk by a guy from the RNLI on chosing and using a lifejacket. He was around afterwards for people to talk to so might be worth a quick chat.

Nasher.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Andy

When you're down at the boat show try to get along to one of the RNLI sea Safety sessions at the 'sea kitchen theatre'.

We were there on Sunday sheltering from a rain shower and watched an actually quite interesting talk by a guy from the RNLI on chosing and using a lifejacket. He was around afterwards for people to talk to so might be worth a quick chat.

Nasher.

Thanks for the heads up Nasher, might well do. I'm going to have a look around and see if I can pick up a bargain at the show.

[SPR]

You don't need to go to the boat show to get advice, contact your local lifeboat station sea safety officer...they will talk you through the options on lifejackets and general boat safety free charge...

If you pm your area I put you in contact with your local contact...

50N will make you buoyant , it gives you the extra buoyancy that you need to float.

Hence called buoyancy aids, lifejackets on the other hand will right unconscious person. So need to balance up what your going to do, is there company with you etc.

As polwart said s variety of solutions is prob the best option!

The main thing is you buy something that is not restrictive and you will wear it.

Hydrostatic Life Jackets are pretty good, but changing cylinders can be pig, and really do a 24 hr inflation test afterwards, so your advised to have spare second jacket incase of accident inflation.

I fell backwards in water when launching a boat with hydrostatic one, and was submerged and never went off...you supposed to be able to stand under a shower with one without going off!

I use a secumar 275 lifejacket in my rib, and it has not inflated despite being up in driving rain! this has a pill activation.

I do really fancy the Baltic Rib jacket if only they did in Black!

secumar bravo 100n lifejacket £25.50 !

bulky but might suit you - aspli.com is UK

regards

S.

[SeaSkills]

If you like the idea of a hybrid, but the Baltic is a bit "ouch" on the wallet - have a look at the Crewsaver Harvester.