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An Inflatable PFD Test.............

Shane Baker
01/24/11 #9935

Hi guys, I want to share some experiences with you regarding inflatable PFD's. In last year's Round Shaw Island race I was stopped by (trying to think), the Island County Water Safety boat, one of those 40-50' Safe Boats that Homeland Security provided to most Law Enforcement Agencies. They wanted to know if I had a PFD, I replied yes I did, it was an inflatable and it was on my rear deck within reach. They instructed me to put it on and stated for them to be legal they have to be worn. Go figure.

Two weeks ago at Lake Union NY race it was warm at 50 degrees but threatening rain. I wore my foam filled PFD over a short sleeved nylon wind-breaker and a poly shirt. I was too hot so I decided to dig out my two early West Marine inflatable PFD's. I have one that is worn like a vest with a collar around the neck and one that is the belt pack. I opened then up and decided that the condition of the cylinders troubled me. I did some research and bought some replacement cylinders. In my living room I inflated each as the are supposed to be worn and both worked. Now the scary part. Standing erect (or as close as I can) I couldn't get the collar of the belt pack over my head. I had to loosen the belt and let pull it up to chest level. Then I found the vest was so highly inflated I couldn't get my head through the opening. I had to release some pressure which took some figuring out. My guess is that it would have been impossible for me to get the vest to the correct position to float me head up while holding my surfski or outrigger and paddle. So I decided that while it met our racing rules for PFD use it was false security in an actual emergency. The horse collar type inflated with too much pressure also and was very uncomfortable. Again adjustments would be very difficult while in the water holding a boat and paddle. So I decided that I might just put up with the warmth of my foam filled and comfortable PFD unless it is very warm out. Those of you with inflatable PFD's, if the cylinders look corroded but the green tabs are still in place chances are it will inflate. In a real life threatening situation, like me being in the water, I don't want to have to rely on my inflatable PFD. See you all at La Conner.

Larry B and Joost, I bought a 27' Bristol and got it home to Port Orchard yesterday.

Shane.

Re: An inflatable PFD test………….
steven wort

01/24/11 #9936

I think in all cases, the instructions read - place the life jacket over your head, and leave the aircraft BEFORE inflating the vest.

Also most of the inflatables are “Life Jackets” as opposed to PFDs, so will actually turn an unconsious wearer face up, and keep their face out of the water, versus a PFD which only provides additional bouyancy. Because of this they are a lot bulkier than a PFD.

Adjustment once inflated is almost universally thru a standard straw and cap ( with deflator ) on the left chest of the bag.

I have a 20+ year old Mustang auto inflating Life Jacket from my sailing days in the UK. After 5 years hard use offshore sailing, with no maintenance whatsoever, then 15 years in storage, with only very mild corrosion on the cylinder, it inflated first time :) Now I have to pay $50 for a “special” CO2 cylinder.

Re: An inflatable PFD test………….
lori & beau whitehead

01/24/11 #9937

Good reminder Shane. I believe Coastie regs state that a fannypack-type inflatable PFD has to not only be worn, but must be in front of your body, not back by your butt. That said, I usually have mine bungied to the vessel.

I won't speak for other racers when I say the only reason I ever use an inflatable PFD is at races that require a PFD to be present. I really have no intention of ever using it. If I am paddling in conditions where I think I may actually swim a few times, I would never rely on an inflatable, then I wear an actual PFD.

It's always entertaining to go to races out of state & ask if PFD's are required and have the race officials look at me like I'm speaking a foreign language. What's a PFD?

Beau Whitehead

Re: An inflatable PFD test………….
waterbornewarrior

01/24/11 #9939

Not sure if I ever related my test a few years ago. My SOSpenders had been in service for about a year and I'd never inflated it, so I thought to be proactive by test-inflating it and then replacing the cylinder. Standing in my garage, I put it on, and then pulled the little rip cord tab. The plastic mechanism (cylinder on one side, rip cord on the other side) just came apart!! There was actually a partial inflation, but probably less than 20%. I contacted Stearns and they sent a replacement. In the meantime, their mechanism has definitely gotten more robust looking (it's a little “blockier,” more square and solid), but I'm a little dubious. As Steve mentioned, they have a backup / top-off manual inflation tube.

Don

Re: An inflatable PFD test………….
Larry <lbussing@…>

01/24/11 #9940

I played with mine also. But decided that the loop goes over the head first, before inflating. I also tested that it took 4 large breaths to inflate it manually. Except for the heat, the foam filled are better PFDs.
Send me a picture of the Bristol. Larry B

Re: An inflatable PFD test………….
Michael Gregory

01/24/11 #9941

Hi Shane,
That's what you get for being so independent, going the opposite way around Shaw last year! Do you recall the Stormy Seas CO2/blow-up inflatable vests? They were kinda popular a few years ago. Hmm. Bristol 27 is a sweet little sailboat. When we goin for a sail?

Mike.

Re: An inflatable PFD test………….
Erik Borgnes

01/24/11 #9942

I would think that the pfd's, once inflated, would be less voluminous in the cold PNW water and thus easier to put over your head, though.

Erik

Re: An inflatable PFD test………….
Reivers Dustin

01/24/11 #9943

Good post Shane.

When I had 12% body fat I could wear lots or little. But now I find it challenging to manage heat balance whether working out or racing. My performance degrades rapidly with overheat. (I know, get rid of the hidden fat suit.)

I'm not a fan of PFD's for racers. It's nothing but a penalty. There are few races held where conditions warrant the PFD. In those situations they use other safeguards or limit public access. There are better ways to maintain body temperature if you are just getting wet. The boat is better flotation.

For the boating public PFD's are the best thing since the cat's pajamas. Now for the breakdown: do you believe in 'policy'? Is there some way to write up some list of rules or administrative code that will keep us all from harm? I've bumped into enough 'Tolstoy Beauraucrats' to know that some folks believe so. It's where lawyers love to play.

I don't wish harm to a soul. But, it wearies me to see folks act as though others must keep them from risk - or act as if rules are our god. …Did you hear the one about the lady talking on her cell, walked into a mall fountain, sued the mall security?

Truth is exact correspondence with reality.
Paramahansa Yogananda

An inflatable PFD test………….
Shane Baker

01/24/11 #9944

Mike, I was correct in choice of direction at Shaw but not at Bainbridge. Not sure how that works, I've paddled around BI more times than Shaw. May sail/drive her to Shaw (if I can figure out how to carry a ski) and stay a while. Larry, I no pictures yet. Others, the instructions on my inflatable PFD's are worn out and the memory not so hot. It would make sense to put the belt pack collar around one's neck before inflating but the pull tab hangs outside the pack ready for action. It looks like the intent was to inflate it first. Again, I would not like to let go of my boat or paddle to adjust it. It inflated so firmly I think it would cut off my airway (38 gram cylinder as specified).
Shane.

Re: An inflatable PFD test………….a funny tale
Bob Putnam

01/25/11 #9945

At one of the Tuesday Night Races one of the racers, who shall remain un-named, had an inflatable. The funny part is that it was a “water activated automatic” inflatable. So for a jet fighter pilot who is knocked unconscious, lands in the water and the PFD inflates. So our Tuesday Night Rocket Scientist is a novice surf ski paddler and capsizes. His PFD inflates and it is so large and so tight around his head. It saves his life, keeps his head floating above the water very nicely, but he can't do much else other than float and wait for our rescue boat to save salvage him and his ski. Remounting his ski is out of the question.

I guess he hadn't thought that one through!
Bob

Re: An inflatable PFD test………….
kathleen petereit

01/25/11 #9947

PFD's are now mandatory at the races in Aus. I was surprised when I saw the video's / pic's and they all had them on. The NEW Mocke PFD'S will be out soon. The same as the old ones but with no zipper, you just pull it on over your head.

Great info Shane….thanks.

Kathleen

Re: An inflatable PFD test………….a funny tale
Reivers Dustin

01/25/11 #9948

Bob! what an amazing demonstration of tact and social sensitivity to not name the victim. Normally you guys are the kind to offer rough comfort to the fallen.

Unless of course it was you that was 'the victim'? It's ok if it was. We won't tell any of the other countries. It's just between Canada and the Unknighted States. (close your eyes when you read this, Rob.)

rd

Re: An inflatable PFD test………….a funny tale
Bob Putnam

01/25/11 #9949

Hi Reivers,
Twasn't I, and I don't think the victim is a viewer of these pages. If it were I, there would surely have been photos circulating not long after the event. People can usually consider the rough love as a sign of affection. If it were somebody like Warren, Daryl, or Rod Hope I would see to it that they never live it down and there would be photos. We want the true victim to continue with the sport. As for the above mentioned we have no choice but to tolerate their presence in the sport!

Bob

Re: An inflatable PFD test………….a funny tale
Reivers Dustin

01/25/11 #9951

Fair enough. We need the new members. Us regulars are getting scrubby to be around. - especially you MG. …waitaminute - did I write that out loud?

rd