Lifejackets & Dry Suits (275N or 150N)

[SPR]

Hi All,

With the recent discussions about Safety of going over board etc.

They might be few people reconsidering there boating equipment, this might be including buying a dry suit.

It's probable been mentioned before, but if you are wearing a dry suit, you really should be wearing a 275N lifejacket. A 150N might not have the sufficient righting, taking into the consideration of trapped air in suit.

(As i stated in previous thread the proper lifejacket configuration IMHO is more important than PLB's)

After attending a Sea Survival Course, I found out that my warm waterproofs acted more like weights around my arms and legs as I entered the water.
So I now opted for Full Dry Suit (with arm air dump value), with Bear Suit and a 275N Lifejacket, with Spray Hood, Crotch Straps and Aqua Spec -Automatic Light.
Some people laugh when they see me putting on my accessory belt, they actually said no wonder I have 275 N lifejacket!

This is what I carry when am out on my RIB:

1)Knife – Serrated Blunt End RRK : ideal for cutting ropes.
2)Leatherman – Charge Multi –tool
3)Day/Night Flare in pouch
4)McMurdo 210 PLB with GPS

(I carry two other devices on my belt, but since am a UK importer of these devices I leave these out!)

I also carry an ICOM VHF Radio round my neck, this is additional to my Fixed VHF I have on my boat.

The ironic thing the last time I ended up in the water was coming of my mooring with shorts n t-shirts, (27 C) trying to get on a tender! but did have my Lifejacket on!

Just wondering how many with dry suits use a 275N lifejacket and what do you carry on you person when RIB ing?


S.

[bogib]

I have Baltic Rescue lifejacket which are 275N, has sprayhood, light and some other good stuffies, have Cobra HH475 (floating, tri watch, bluetooth) attached to the life jacket and next spring I will have new Ursuk dry suit

Bogi

Wearing the Baltic Rescue lifejacket

[Channel Ribs]

It should also be noted that 275N lifejackets can be a hazard as well as an essential, the MAIB report on the over-turned Rigid Raider springs all too readily to mind.

[SPR]

Originally Posted by malthouse

It should also be noted that 275N lifejackets can be a hazard as well as an essential, the MAIB report on the over-turned Rigid Raider springs all too readily to mind.

You will find that was a 490n military lifejacket, on a 14 year girl who was wearing waterproofs only. The 490n was designed for squaddie and full kit bag. (not avail. for Civilian use, life jacket was given with boat purchased)

Back to original point , the right lifejacket for the right job.

During the test after the incident a full grown man could not get himself out from under a plywood board forced down with a forklife truck with a 490 n life jacket!

S.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by SPR

During the test after the incident a full grown man could not get himself out from under a plywood board forced down with a forklife truck with a 490 n life jacket!

Having seen people struggle to move with a 275N I still think they need wearing with awareness that swimming etc is likely to be even more of a strain, as you say right rating for the right situation.

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by SPR

if you are wearing a dry suit, you really should be wearing a 275N lifejacket

When I was buying Crewsaver drysuits I rang them for their recommendation on this as we had got 150N Crewsaver auto-lifejackets.

Their advice was to stick with 150N for coastal RIB use.

[Presuming Ed]

Originally Posted by SPR

It's probable been mentioned before, but if you are wearing a dry suit, you really should be wearing a 275N lifejacket. A 150N might not have the sufficient righting, taking into the consideration of trapped air in suit.

If you're wearing a drysuit properly, there barely any trapped air in the suit. Air should be expelled, and then just enough let back in. A 275N lifejacket will make it impossible to get back onto a RIB unaided.

[SeaSkills]

Originally Posted by Presuming Ed

A 275N lifejacket will make it impossible to get back onto a RIB unaided.

Some people like to balance the added buoyancy of a 275 for the time they're in the water against the ease of getting back out again.

The trick is simply to let some air out.

[SPR]

Seaskills beat me to it!

Let some air out of lifejacket and deflate the tubes of the rib so you can crawl
over them. My strategy I have no choice but to wear a 275n lifejacket, since am slightly over weight, in fact very !

After going overboard @ mooring I fitted a boarding ladder on transon, had to look around for a narrow fitting ladder.

S.

[Aging Youth]

Hi Guy's

I think some of you are missing the point.

Should anyone suffer the miss-fortune of being ejected from their boat; either as crew or helmsman, at speed the chances of escaping without some form of injury is minimal to say the least. Therefore, an average 12 stone man in full kit will need 275 newtons to stay afloat face up and await recovery.

this was brought to my attention from are friends in the RNLI who assisted me in a real life situation.

There are too many people each year who pay the ultimate price through being complacent and thinking it wont happen to me!!! Is it really worth it?

Happy & Safe Boating for 2010.

Regards

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Aging Youth

I think some of you are missing the point.

I don't think I'm missing the point. There's no one size fits all rule here, like in a lot of things. I wanted a dry suit and a lifejacket...I chose Crewsaver as a brand and rang them for advice. I told them size, shape, weight, boat and cruising waters. They advised 150N. They're in the business, I respect their opinion

Different people, different scenarios, sometimes different solutions...

[SJHooper]

I use a Tornado drysuit and a crewsaver 275 life jacket along with sprayhood and carry a McMudo max PLB on my belt I feel you need that kit if you go over board.
If you have improved floatation then you can worry about getting back on board when you get rescued.

I also wear a Geko helmet

In the summer I dont use the dry suit