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Inflatable life vest + other safety precautions

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tingwc
1st Mate

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31 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/15/2006 : 19:32:41

Today I took the boat out by myself and at some point it began to rain quite hard and became very windy. I furled the genoa and took down the main, but in the process nearly tripped and fell overboard. I was able to motor back in, but it got me thinking about personal safety, especially when single-handing.

I have a few lifejackets on board, but I never wear them because they are so big and uncomfortable. If I had actually fallen into the water, there's no way I would have gotten my life jacket from the locker, and I might not be here talking to you right now.

I've heard of inflatable life jackets, and did some research online... it seems like the way to go. Anybody have any experience with specific types of inflatable life jackets, and if so, what are your thoughts?

Also - what are your other safety precautions you take when sailing single-handed? I would like to hear the community's thoughts.

Wallace Ting
Queens, NYC
1988 WK

Edited by - on

Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2006 : 20:22:13

I made a deal with the admiral: when I single-hand, I wear my inflatable life jacket. I would anyway, but she thinks I'm doing it for her.

I have the SOSpenders brand with automatic/manual inflation. It's available in manual-only, and also available with an integral harness if you want to clip yourself to jacklines.
I also have a belt pack inflatable life jacket for those hot days when I want to take my shirt off and not have tan lines from the SOSpenders. The belt pack model inflates manually and then must be put on over your head, so it won't do any good if you're hurt or unconcious when your hit the water.
These things are more expensive than a standard lifejacket but a lot more comfortable.

Definition of the world's best lifejacket: the one you'll wear!

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2006 : 23:03:44

I use a 'Stormy Seas' inflatable vest. Very comfortable. It doesn't look or feel like a life jacket at all. In fact, you could wear it around town without anyone noticing unusual about it. Made for and worn by fishermen up in Alaska and the PNW. They also make them in a sleeved jacket style. Not cheap stuff, but what's your life worth?

http://www.stormyseas.com/home.html

I keep a personal strobe light and a whistle in the pockets and have added some patches of SOLAS reflective tape (by 3M... great stuff). As an additional safety measure, my swim ladder is held up with a velcro strap and I have a 'tripline' from the top of the ladder to the waterline so the ladder can be lowered from the water.

Offshore single handing I use a harness and a 6' tether with a hardpoint in the cockpit and a jackline to the mast base. If conditions are rough, crawl around. Always keep a hand on the boat.

Edited by - ClamBeach on 09/16/2006 10:42:30

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 09/16/2006 : 05:36:11

I have a paddlers sport vest that I wear. Also have the whistle and strobe, as well, I keep the handheld in the pocket.

Before I go out, I hook my tether to the mast and hang my harness on the bulkhead.
I can lower my main from the cabin and have a furler, but if I had to go forward, I'd put on the harness and hook into the tether.

I have the same ladder set up as Clambeach.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 09/16/2006 : 10:44:25

"Before I go out, I hook my tether to the mast and hang my harness on the bulkhead"

That's great advice. If conditions deteriorate quickly you may not have an opportunity to fetch that equipment from the cabin... or rig it.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 09/16/2006 : 10:51:07

The Admiral and I wear our self-inflating West Marine PFDs whenever we sail. They are very comfortable. The inflatables do take a bit more care and an annual cartridge change. The advantage of the auto-inflators is that if you are unconscious when you go over (hit by the boom, for instance) the PFD will inflate and keep your head above water. Well worth the little extra $ in my opinion.

I will rig our swim ladder as described by the others, great idea. Also I would advise getting the PFD with the integrated harness. We did not and I now wish we had. Also, rig up a jack line from stem to stern to clip onto. Do not clip onto lifelines as they are not strong enough.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 09/17/2006 : 03:51:48

If your PFDs are in the locker when underway they are NOT legal. The USCG says they must be accessible. Also, an inflatable PFD is not legal even if it is accessible. It must be worn.

My brother gave me the offshore SOSpenders and I do wear it even though I am just in the river. But the river is three to five miles wide where I sail. And even though I feel I could make it to shore I would rather not have to struggle so much to stay afloat. And with all the stink pots out there I would be easier to be spotted with a PFD. I even keep a flare stashed inside it.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 09/17/2006 : 11:30:23

I use an auto inflating vest w/harness and dual tether. I think it's West Marine brand, which is made by someone else of course, maybe SOSpenders. The inflatable is very comfortable to wear. I wish the chest strap were lower -- it feels like it was designed for someone a lot shorter than I am. The design lacks crotch straps, but those would likely be less comfortable, detracting from one of the inflatable's big advantages.

I have a 3/8" nylon jackline on each side of the boat. I agree centerline jacklines are theoretically better if they keep crew from going over the rail, but on boats as narrow as these, I'm not sure that's realistic to expect. I plan to add U-bolts in the cockpit convenient to the companionway one of these days.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2006 : 01:27:50

I can only echo what has been stated above. We always wear our life jackets because the kids have to and because we sail mostly in the pacific where its pretty cold water. On cool days I prefer to wear my sport vest from my Hobie Cat days as it is a nice layer of insulation and padding as you lean against the lifelines or rails. Most of the time I wear my sospenders. They came with the boat and I wish they had the built in harness. When solo I stay clipped in to the jacklines I rig on either side from bow to stern. I also have my ladder set up to be able to drop it from the water. My one complaint with the sospenders is that they cut into the back of my neck when I have a collarless shirt on. I think they have addressed this in the new models.

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2006 : 07:36:09

What do you attach the jacklines to and do you simply tie with a bowline or have some kind of clip? How do you attach to your harness? Still being new and learning, I've heard about jacklines being used, but never seen pictures or read details on how to install and use them.

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2006 : 08:37:46

Jacklines are better if webbing.

This thread gives some good advice by experienced sailors:

http://www.sailinganarchy.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=36305&hl=jackline

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2006 : 11:27:32

Hi Justin, I am putting a U bolt right under the companion way and (don't laugh) bought a very stout, six foot dog leash. On one end it has a loop handhold which I will attach to the U bolt by putting the loop through the U bolt and feeding the rest of the leash through the part of the loop that on the far side of the U bolt then pull it through tought. The other end of the leash has a stout clip which will clip to my harness. I bought the leash that is for Great Dane sized dogs. It is not boat stuff so it was only $10.00 Cheers.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2006 : 20:02:55

Regarding Coast Guard legal vests, it is my understanding those vests that are designed to inflate when imersed in water must be factory inspected and serviced periodically to be legal. Since I didn't want to deal with the added expense I converted mine to manual inflation. Although there is always a first time i gues, i haven't come close to falling on my boat in 16 years so I consider it a safe move.

I have two (SoSpenders and Stearns)which have the harness included. I've installed u-bolt anchor points (2) in the cockpit, and jack lines. My primary concern with jack lines, since they are in-board of the shrouds, is falling overboard and not being able to get back to the ladder. I believe Frank Hopper suggests attaching an additonal line to the harness which,when overboard, you can attach to the tether and ease yourself back to the ladder. I haven't quite figured out how to accomplish this yet but it is the route I am going. The only other option is to install them outboard of the shrouds but I don't want them hanging over the side and/or interfering with my jib sheet cars.

You might also be aware that the different brands of inflatables more than likely will have different size CO2 cartridges. You should carry at least one spare for each. The lesson being that buying two different brands is not practical from a spare cartidge stand point. With two or more of the same brand on board, even with one spare, you'll always have an extra should the need arise and you won't have to spend time and money buying odd brand cartridges. In an emergency,
I always carry a standard offshore type II backup vest just in case my "new fangled" inflatable vest becomes unusable on a long cruise.

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2006 : 12:15:54

I just came across some good information on making safety tethers and jacklines:
http://www.sailrite.com/Tips/tether.htm
http://www.sailrite.com/PDF/TetherSafetyHarness.pdf
http://www.sailrite.com/Tips/makejacklines.htm

Edited by - Justin on 10/13/2006 12:44:21

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2006 : 13:51:14

Having just bought our C25 this March we have yet to buy the inflatable type of vests, but they are on our lists. We currently use the foam vests that are very uncomfortable in hot weather as you sweat like a stuck pig. However, hot weather or not, solo (which I have yet to work up to), or with the Admiral, I put it on whenever leaving the cockpit to go forward.

We have used a hank on jib all summer and the Admiral is only comfortable if it is on when I go forward. So I sit on mine in the cockpit until it is time to go taked down the jib and tie it up on our way in. We just finished installing a furler so going forward will be less required. However, the inflatable vests are on our "buy in the off season" list and we will have them for next year. Hmmm sounds like a Christmas present to ourselves.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2006 : 14:23:55

I use the inflateable fanny pack type and only when I feel the need. I wore mine last weekend for several hours as the only boat on the lake; watching the full moonrise. Hey how about that Harvest Moon!

And Al, thanks for the attribution but it wasn't me. I have no experience with tethers.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 10/13/2006 22:24:55

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2006 : 16:47:30

We've rigged Jacklines once and actually don't have harnesses of our own. We also don't have a permanently mounted ladder. Both items are on the to do list. On the Flying Wasp, after dark all passengers and crew wear life jackets by house rule. The skipper also reserves the right to mandate life jacket wear as well. Single handing also requires a life jacket...and soon will require a tether.

below are a few of the jackets I've found comfortable for various conditions.

As for life jackets, I've used just about everything imaginable. When Racing, I'll either wear a Lotus kayaking vest which give me arm mobility to work the pit, grind or trim sails or if I'm on the fordeck I'll wear the sport version of the SOSpenders auto/manual inflatible which differs from the others in that the area around the neck is more contoured. The former gives me constant flotation but doesn't keep my head out of the water, the latter relies on the CO2 firing properly (manual or auto) but does keep my head out of the water.

In general, while we have a few of them, the discount orange things are really only good for making sure you have a spare if your guest doesn't bring their own(racers generally show up with their own pfd) so that you have enough for all the passengers on the boat. They are kind of like Safe Auto Insurance, they keep you legal for less. Our stock guest jackets for cruising are these

Incidentalyy, I'm not 100% positive if this rule has changed, but it used to be that auto-inflatibles only count as a PFD if it is worn when you are pulled over. Also - accessible and ready for use come into interpretation. Most times when pulled over if you have them on board and they aren't locked or still in the plastic that is all the coast guard is looking for. If you get the guy on the day when he had a flat tire, his dog ran away and his girlfriend broke up with him, then you better have them laying out in the open with the user instructions taped to the bulkhead and a personal gentlemen's gentlemen there to help you fit it.

These seem to be the new style for the racers...many of the J-22 guys are now wearing these

Edited by - on

dblitz
Navigator

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240 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2006 : 17:54:40

When I am alone on my boat even if I'm just working on it and moored, I put on my self inflating PFD.
Also, part of my drill when I put on my PFD is to make sure the ladder is not tied in the up position. If it's tied up and you fall in there's no way you're getting back on your boat.

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2006 : 18:30:54

About the swim ladder, I got the idea from someone else on here, but I attached a bungie cord that goes from the low end of the ladder, up around the pulpit and back down. If I were to go over, I could easily pull the ladder. It's not tightly held up; if you lean against it it pushes out. It used to be very securely tied to the rail with a dozen or so wraps of string by the previous owner which I knew must not be that great of an idea.

I'm also planning on getting a self inflating PFD with a harness. I looked at quite a few at the sailboat show last weekend. Just another thing to add to the endless list.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2006 : 19:46:19

I am impressed with the new hydrostatic pressure actuators on the Mustangs, no accidental water related inflation but still automatic. If I were buying a new one it is what I would get.

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2006 : 20:33:57

Dennis - You've long provided sound advice; as a professional rigger, I'd like to return the advice and suggest that you only use rated hardware for your safety line. Great Danes aside, if the hardware and components do not have rated breaking strength, I would not trust them. Rated hardware is available at most commercial hardware stores. A system is only as good as the weakest link.
Best, Jerry

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2006 : 20:40:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 Regarding Coast Guard legal vests, it is my understanding those vests that are designed to inflate when imersed in water must be factory inspected and serviced periodically to be legal. Since I didn't want to deal with the added expense I converted mine to manual inflation. Although there is always a first time i gues, i haven't come close to falling on my boat in 16 years so I consider it a safe move.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Al - I checked into this, albeit rather informally and found this out....the majority of the units out there have a manual override. Service only goes so far as to making sure the cartridges are recent (not sure if they date them) and the plastic dohickeys over the pin that disintigrate are also replace frequently.

As someone who has apprenticed training dogs with a certified trainer and a dog owner too I second Jerry's comments as well. Dog leashes aren't going to provide the same wear that a properly spliced eye on a good line will give you. Most of those things, even the good ones are stitched and made for hand holding, not being shackled to you and an eyebolt with continuous friction. A good couple of Caribiners and a nice 3/4 inch spliced line or professionally made elastic tether is going to serve you up right.

Saving the cash for the new head tank or depth sounder seems like a good idea however it will be the next owner who gets to use it when you aren't able to swim back to the boat.

Edited by - Champipple on 10/13/2006 20:47:04

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2006 : 10:12:02

I have a Sospenders inflatable with safety harness, and have jacklines running on each side from the bow cleat to the stern cleats. I also have a belt-type inflatable that I "inherited" from the previous owner. Recently, the latter got wet and inflated automatically, and I found that it had a defective fitting and wouldn't hold air. So, I suggest you manually inflate your inflatables, to be sure they'll hold air. Don't assume that they're ok.

Edited by - on

Gambit
Navigator

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USA
160 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2006 : 10:46:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Justin4192
 About the swim ladder, I got the idea from someone else on here, but I attached a bungie cord that goes from the low end of the ladder, up around the pulpit and back down. If I were to go over, I could easily pull the ladder. It's not tightly held up; if you lean against it it pushes out.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That may have been from one of my posts. I do have a build on that idea in the category of poor-man's safety measures. In addition to having both ends of the bungy connected to the bottom step, I hang a life ring on top of the ladder. So, when the ladder releases a ring will fall in as well. Could be a welcome addition if tired or cold.

George

Edited by - on

Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2006 : 10:48:42

I got a good sale pitch from the Mustang guy at the Annapolis Boat Show:
1. They only need to be serviced every five years.
2. Their civilian PFD's are built to military specifications.
3. They need four inches of water to inflate them--i.e. they won't inflate with rain water or the occasional splash of sea water.

The Mustang is on my to-buy list.

Edited by - on

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