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Lifejackets myths and truths
USCG regulations and lifejacket types All recreational boats must carry one wearable lifejacket (Type I, II, III or Type V lifejacket) for each person aboard. A Type V lifejacket provides performance of either a Type I, II, or III lifejacket (as marked on its label) and must be used according to the label requirements. Any boat 16ft and longer (except canoes and kayaks) must also carry one throwable lifejacket (Type IV lifejacket). An example of a type IV is throwable cushion. See below throwable flotation devices. Link to USCGboating for full regulations The table below shows USCG minimum buoyancy ratings for adults
Notice the inflatable has more buoyancy than the inherent buoyancy lifejacket An inflatable does not count toward a boat 1 lifejacket per person if its a type V. Foam or inflatable These are the three most popular models of PFD that you will find in a marine store
Lifejackets that have USCG approval are fitted with this label. Here you will see that this buoyancy aid is a type III Adult 40-44 inch chest.
MAIB The MAIB report is the investigation on the sinking of the 25ft yacht ouzo in the UK. Three of the crew drowned despite wearing lifejackets. The report looks into how the crew could have survived. Below are excerpts from the report. Each member of Ouzos crew had a fully functioning lifejacket. However, none had lights fitted to them. Had the crew of Ouzo had lights fitted to their lifejackets it is possible that one of the many craft that passed through the area on the night of the accident might have seen the lights and raised the alarm. The report further concludes that simply fitting crotch straps to the lifejackets, which are normally sold as a cheap optional extra, would have enabled them to have stayed in the correct donning position, irrespective of how tight they had been fitted. Had crotch straps been fitted to their lifejackets, it is possible that all three crew would have survived for longer than 12 hours. Conclusion; Just wearing a lifejacket is not the end. The extras will make a difference. Items like crotch or leg straps stop the life jacket riding up and therefore keep your chin above the water. A spray hood will keep your air way clear. A light or strobe and reflective tape, will help you get spotted. A whistle will also help you get attention.
Principally there are two
methods, hydrostatic and water soluble. Hydrostatic models are less
likely to go off when they get wet. See Hammar video below Hammer MA 1 video The hammer is a hydrostatic device and only goes of after the device is held under water by 100mm or 4 inches. The inflator is not designed to go ff in waves or spray as seen in the video. The Hammar device is USCG approved. Cost of re arm kit around $75. The Halkey Roberts auto inflator device is water activated by a water soluble powder, which dissolves when wet triggering the device. Cost of re arm kit can be under $20. Manufacturers like Mustang have models with either the Hammer (MD3183 & MD3184) or Halkey Roberts trigger MD3083 & MD3084. Service; To maintain the inflation device always have a full cylinder and all status indicators on the inflator must be green Status Indicators. There are 3 categories of status indicators.
Manual backup; When you inflate a manual PFD by pulling the tab hanging from the PFD, your pull causes a small pin to pierce the CO2 cylinder that fills the inflatable bladder to capacity. Oral tubes, are simple valves, which can be inflated by the wearer.
Keep your chin above the water How much buoyancy do you need. 34lbs, (150N) is regarded as the minimum required to turn an unconscious person on their back and head up.
This distance from the water to your mouth is called freeboard. If knocked unconscious in the water, the added freeboard offered by Type I PFDs may save your life by keeping your airway unobstructed. Type II and Type III PFDs lack the flotation and righting force to keep wearers face up with an unobstructed airway. USCG approved Type III inflatables have to average 3" of freeboard and Type II must average 3.75". Airline carry on regulations There are two issues; one getting through security (see TSA rules) and then getting on the plane. For the TSA read and copy the regulations, and for the airline call ahead to check their policy. TSA carry on regulations use this link & scroll down to;
Carry a copy of the regulations when you fly or check with the airline. These regulations do change.
UCSG regs re auto inflate USCG rules an auto inflate can be a type II, III or a type V. Type V is the default. Type V will not count in your (1 lifejacket per person) a type III will. Non USCG inflatables Other regulators governing life preservers are SOLAS (MCA save out lives at sea), and CE the European governing body. European lifejackets like spinlock do not have USCG certification. This does not means its a bad lifejacket. In fact the Spinlock is a great lifejacket and has many options that make it better than many US lifejackets. If you have a Spinlock or other type that does not have USCG approval, its fine for the wearer, but does not count toward the 1 lifejacket per person. Lifejacket procedures/maintenance
Conclusion Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association This resource will help you with all sorts of questions about PFDs. Extras count; have a light, spray hood, crotch strap, grab handle, SOLAS reflective
tapes, integral harness, What drives you when kitting out your boat with safety gear. Are you just worried about satisfying USCG regulations. Or are you interested in the best kit for the safety of your crew and guests. The other organization that regulates pfd is the ORC. The offshore Racing Council have their own European rules and are unlike the USCG.
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