Buoyancy Aid - Under or Over Jacket?
Discussion
Hi, could anyone clear something up for me? Is there any reason not to wear my buoyancy aid under my sailing jacket? My thinking was based on the fact that my jacket is white and I thought this might make me a little more visible if I go in.
I am of course talking about a foam buoyancy aid and not an inflatable life jacket
I am of course talking about a foam buoyancy aid and not an inflatable life jacket
Always over, I got trapped in rope under the boat when capsized once and had to take it off to untangle myself and then dive down far enough to free myself and surface. God knows what would have happened had I been wearing a jacket over it. It was bad enough keeping calm enough to think how to take it off let alone take a jacket off first!
Sobering stuff
Sobering stuff
Always, ALWAYS over.
And mine has a little pocket on the front for a knife just incase. I've only ever had to use it once, but was bloody grateful to be able to whip it out quickly and get my jacket off.
However, if I'm in something that is single handed and simple (ie a laser on a light day on a lake) I'll wear it underneath a rash vest just so it doesn't get snagged.
And mine has a little pocket on the front for a knife just incase. I've only ever had to use it once, but was bloody grateful to be able to whip it out quickly and get my jacket off.
However, if I'm in something that is single handed and simple (ie a laser on a light day on a lake) I'll wear it underneath a rash vest just so it doesn't get snagged.
Schmalex said:
littlegreenfairy said:
Mahatma Bag said:
IIRC the buoyancy of a buoyancy aid is not so much that you can't dive underwater if you need to.
Mine is - I find it hard to even swim in it.markmullen said:
Hi, could anyone clear something up for me? Is there any reason not to wear my buoyancy aid under my sailing jacket? My thinking was based on the fact that my jacket is white and I thought this might make me a little more visible if I go in.
I am of course talking about a foam buoyancy aid and not an inflatable life jacket
Without question as all others have said, over anything. I had to pull two people out of the water in gibralter and without their race harness / safety jackets on that would have been impossible espescially as one was unconcious.. (rib crash)I am of course talking about a foam buoyancy aid and not an inflatable life jacket
Mark,
The RN found out about this the hard way. Before the Falklands they were trainig people to wear the jacket under the waterproof "once only" suits. I can't remeber why but this resulted in several deaths when people had to abandon ship. Jacket over the top of your oilskins every time.
With regard to other people's comments about getting snagged. In my opinion only a fool goes out onto the water in any sort of vessel without a sharp seamans knife. They are not for threatening people, fighting or playing games with. In the event that anything gets snagged it can be cut away with a knife and potentially save a life. "Carry a knife - save a life"
Once when comming into a congested mooring, running before the wind the outboard end of the main sheet caught on the bows of a mored yacht. As our yacht moved forward the sheet was pulled out from the end of the boom. This had two effects. 1 the sail was hauled in causing an increase in heel and speed. 2 the yacht's course bagan to change as she tried to pivot around the end of the boom.
We were in imminent danger of crashing into one of the other yachts in the mooring. The main sheet was already out as far as it would go at the inboard end and the figure of eight know was hard against the block and getting tighter. I pulled out a standard issue seamans' clasp knife and cut through the sheet in one slice. Problem solved and disaster averted.
The RN found out about this the hard way. Before the Falklands they were trainig people to wear the jacket under the waterproof "once only" suits. I can't remeber why but this resulted in several deaths when people had to abandon ship. Jacket over the top of your oilskins every time.
With regard to other people's comments about getting snagged. In my opinion only a fool goes out onto the water in any sort of vessel without a sharp seamans knife. They are not for threatening people, fighting or playing games with. In the event that anything gets snagged it can be cut away with a knife and potentially save a life. "Carry a knife - save a life"
Once when comming into a congested mooring, running before the wind the outboard end of the main sheet caught on the bows of a mored yacht. As our yacht moved forward the sheet was pulled out from the end of the boom. This had two effects. 1 the sail was hauled in causing an increase in heel and speed. 2 the yacht's course bagan to change as she tried to pivot around the end of the boom.
We were in imminent danger of crashing into one of the other yachts in the mooring. The main sheet was already out as far as it would go at the inboard end and the figure of eight know was hard against the block and getting tighter. I pulled out a standard issue seamans' clasp knife and cut through the sheet in one slice. Problem solved and disaster averted.
For those who have ever fallen overboard off a powerboat , before killcords or after and they have snagged and not cut the engine , i can tell you when the boat starts coming back at you , you better hope you put the life jacket on the outside.
I also teach RYA sail and power and do big groups underprivileged children etc ,for water activity days , always outside.
I also teach RYA sail and power and do big groups underprivileged children etc ,for water activity days , always outside.
Edited by Rum Runner on Sunday 23 December 18:56
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff