Life Jackets

apart from the obvious, ''life jacket '' which is more likely to be more efficient than a bouyancy aid, the life jackets give more freedom when aboard,fishing ans suchlike, bouyancy aids tend to be a bit constricting, thats my thoughts
anyway

cheers
glen
 
have a look at: http://www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk/ProductsMenu.aspx?cat_id=27

they've got the same thing in manual or automatic at half that price

main features other than as glen pointed out, that they are more discreet and less cumbersome is that a lifejacket will turn an unconscious person face up in the water, a buoyancy aid won't

the automatic ones inflate automatically as you fall in the water, the manual ones have a small 'rip cord' that you pull to inflate them

the auto ones are great, but if you go out a lot when its a bit splashy, punching through waves at speed and the like, the auto one might just go off if it gets to wet. happened to me on a yacht once, nearly **** mesell as it went off - gas jackets go from nothing to fully inflated in a round a second!

I'd go for a gas inflation type every time, they are easier to wear, not bulky, take hardly any room to stow away, and are safer as the name suggests - 'life' jacket as opposed to a buoyancy 'aid'
 
Often wondered how you test the gas canister is still gonna work in an emergency??

Do you just renew the canister at regular intervals?
 
a bouyancy aid is exactly what it says, an aid to "help" you keep afloat whereas a lifejacket will keep you afloat whether you are awake or unconcious, as long as you get one to take your body weight, and i would suggest an automatic infalting one is the best, simply if you are knocked out you cant blow one up.
 
Cheers lads,

the link i posted was for 2 life jackets for £56.00 , I thought that was quite a good deal?

regards

stu
 
Seems cheap enough to me Stuey, I'd investigate the canister life first though, it might be cheap but they might sting you for replacements if they have a shelf life?
 
didn't see the £56 for 2, thought it was just for one, so seems good value

they all use the same 33g gas cartridges, about £7 or so for a re-arming kit, good for 3-4 years at least. I unscrew mine every now and again check the seal, check they are not too rusty, if they are rusty I get the kids to put the jackets on and tell em to pull the cord - gets em every time!!

I had one jacket that was 8 years old, went off perfectly, my mate was wearing it at the time, in the lock at the RQ, still don't know how he managed to set it off but his face was a picture!

only thing I do check every time I put on on is that the cartridge isn't loose. If they are not screwed in tight the trigger doesn't puncture the seal
 
Great advice - Cheers Mark!

Considering I can't swim I should really transfer the one I bought from the back of the cupboard to Bert's boat. :red:
 
We use the gas cartridge lifejackets at work and once a year we send them for a service ( basically check condition and replace cartridge ) but at least it's been logged for health and safety purposes. I think the cost is about £10 per item.
Cheer
Marty
 
Thats cute Sean,

They even have a life vest for your dog :D

I bought the auto inflate ones. I tell anyone who fishes with me where they are and ask if they want to wear one...after two years they are still there in their original packaging...no one has taken up the offer to actually put one on.

So ...a question ...who does make a point of wearing a lifejacket every time they go out? I know I dont ...I do wear a floatation suit but not if its warm ;)

For example I went out on sunday to watch the airshow. Not a good day ...never thought to put on a life jacket. Decided by mid afternoon to go out and try some of the wreck marks a certain very nice person sent me. Ended up a little over 13 miles out...life jacket never entered my mind. But one of the reasons I decided to have a run around was the fact that there were so many police and rnli boats around I knew I would get the fastest response evr if I got into bother. Helicopters ..ten a penny..what better day to go out alone and push the limits.

Cheers
Dave
 
Aye Keith, then hand it to bert when you fish over the adastra . . . . :) (In case he decides to go looking for sless`s rod`n`reel (again) :)
 
If I'm out on my own, I tend to wear one. If I'm out with the kids I'll wear one, as I insist they have one one - they aren't allowed on the boat without - ever!

If I'm out with others fishing they do tend to stay in a locker
 
Mark,
I would agree with that. I dont take kids out but would insis they wore one...thats why I bougt em.

Was expecting to see slinky kate on sunday ...but a no show...what went wrong norman?

Cheers
Dave.
 
Finished off me polishing Dave LOL almost frightened to get her dirty again now she looks so good ....... did you get to the air show?
 
Yep,
Spent the morning out about 3 miles with my son and his girlfriend.

Son took ill as it was rough and his street cred went right downhill when he started groundbaiting.

Went inshore and anchored up...but by 12.30 his girlfriend had gone a funny shade of green. So we went back to the harbour and anchored up in there.

Saw the start of the show and then dropped the two of them off with a quid to spend at the amusements ;) and went back out fishing.

Ended up about 14 miles off but got very little for my effort and TBH it was a bit rough to be out that far but when you cant move for Police/rnli and helicopters what better day to push the limits a bit.

Cheers
Dave
 
Life Jackets

Stuey,

Life Jacket rather than Buoyancy Aid for me like matey! As its been said the life jacket will turn you face up in the water within a certain length of time provided you're wearing the right one for your body weight. The 175N jackets are becomming more popular for the larger person. Far better too big than not big enough IMO! So make sure you get the right rating for weight. Auto's offer more piece of mind than manuals especially if you're out on your own.

KeithB'

The gas cartridges are stamped with their gross weight. If you're not sure if they need replacing you can weigh them and if they're below the gross weight change them. They dont really have a best before date. The auto firing mechanism tho does have an exipary date marked on them. After that date they're not guaranteed to activate as designed. I got 2 re-arming kits for my jackets earlier this year they were around £15 each for the firing mechanism with gas cartridge.

Ian S.
 

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