Inflatable Life Jacket w/ Harness

[bewitched]

Recent test carried out on a number of lifejackets by YM earlier this year:

http://www.xm-yachting.co.uk/sitedat...st-July-09.pdf

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by AK_sailor

The Mustang hydrostatic has the pill behind a small pressure activated valve that only releases when actually submerged in the water.

Which is is not an uncommon scenario on the deck of a race boat offshore.

I think the auto inflate vs manual is a very personal decision that is influenced by a number of factors, including the type of boat, the type of sailing you do and others (water temperature was mentioned above - i hadn't considered that before). Both have pro's, both have cons.

durability, volume, thigh / croch straps, sprayhoods, strobes and possibly personal epirbs are higher up the ladder of what I would consider when buying a lifejacket than whether it went off automatically or whether I had to pull a tab.

[sec906]

So when traveling by air, how does one take an inflatable life jacket? Do you have to leave the CO2 cartridge behind and buy a new one when you get there?

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by bewitched

Which is is not an uncommon scenario on the deck of a race boat offshore.

Still doesn't mean the vest will inflate. The hydrostatic valve is activated by the pressure of being a minimum of something like 4" underwater. While you may have water wash over you while on deck (of any boat, not just a race boat), it is not usually going to subject the valve to the equivalent pressure of being underwater.

This is not to say that an accidental inflation is completely impossible with these kinds of vests, but it is far, far less likely even if you are being subjected to waves washing over you.

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

While you may have water wash over you while on deck (of any boat, not just a race boat), it is not usually going to subject the valve to the equivalent pressure of being underwater..

OK - sounds good - I didn't appreciate that technology had moved on to this extent.

Has anyone experience of being hosed wearing hydrostatic autos?