Best or Worst Lifejackets?

[havener]

Originally Posted by codprawn

What about the floatation suits you can buy for fishing? It seems to me cold is a far bigger killer than drowning. Some of the Norwegian and Finish RIB outfits issue them to their passengers instead of lifejackets.

I know they don't have the same amount of buoyency as a proper lifejacket but liefejackets can put you into strange positions when worn with drysuits or survival suits etc.

Trouble is, it's the balancing act between safety and having something comfortable / workable that is not so bulky it won't be worn.

I led a project a few years ago looking at fishing industry lifejackets - a lot of the reasons for poor uptake of jackets is usability when hauling pots, etc.

Flotation suits are OK for keeping you afloat, but not terribly good for working in. Drysuits will only put you in an odd position with a lifejacket if you haven't expelled the air properly beforehand (from the suit, not the jacket).

[Simon B]

Got one of these, had looked at crewsaver and cant remember now why I went for this one. It does have twin infltaion auto and manual which is useful if one pops off and you cant get back in to re-arm it.

Wasnt too sure about the auto feature going off when swimming ashore so I got a small drybag to stow it in. Very well made comes with light, crotch straps, harness (metal fittings) and lifting point. Have subsequently looked at Crewsaver and the quality is very similar as is cost.

[Tim M]

Twin inflation looks like a really good idea, although you might be a bit screwed if you fall in, the jacket doesnt go off so you let the manual off, them moments later the auto goes off too .......

The crotch strap on that one looks rather uncomfortable; the crewsaver ones have two which are more like a climbing harness....

[rickuk3]

try 'The Marine Warehouse' for life jackets, crutch straps, etc. prices are good as is the quality. www.lifejackets.co.uk
They do good deals on a sets of 4 jackets.

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by rickuk3

try 'The Marine Warehouse' for life jackets, crutch straps, etc. prices are good as is the quality. www.lifejackets.co.uk
They do good deals on a sets of 4 jackets.

Ahem

[rickuk3]

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