What Makes a Good PFD ?

[Bash]

It breathes, it weighs almost nothing, the foam is environmentally friendly and you can get one for just over $100US.

[ZodFreak]

Yeah, but its not type 1

[MarkJ]

We like a bum bag PDF Type 1

Its a fann pack with an extra pocket for MP3 player, torch, sweets etc



We reckon if here is a necessity to put it on (the toys inside!) then we will always wear them on watch

[bewitched]

For me the important bit is the integrated harness and a good fit as this keeps you on the boat. After that:

Manual Inflatable - (my preferred) does have the issue of accidental firing and I too tuck the bits away to prevent this. It also will not help if you go overboard unconcious.

Automatic Inflatable - Contrary to above posts, in my experience these do go off regularly when they come into contact with a significant amount of water (such as a wave boarding) - it's what they are designed to do.

[hellosailor]

bewitched, you can also often (depending on how the brand is built) wrap the inflator and cart in saran wrap or aluminum foil, and then velcro down the pocket flap that protects them. This will pretty much prevent anything from wetting the mechanism--except outright submersion.

Or, just break out the TypeI's when you're taking green water on a regular basis.

[Cheechako]

Comfort is priority one. Otherwise it just takes up room in the closet.

[David M]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Yes, the manual pull string on a jacket can foul on something and accidentally inflate the jacket. As sailors we learn that ANYTHING that has strings or dangles on it does not belong on a boat, for just that reason. Scarves, dangly earrings, long hair...I've got nothing against "pretty" but I'd rather not deal with amputations. Enjoy what you wear, just be aware that when you are ON a sailboat you are IN a machine full of moving parts.

So the manual inflation cord on my PFD, like the one on my diving BC, is tucked way up behind the pocket and there's a bit of velcro to make sure the pocket stays flat and the string can't get out unless I'm trying to reach it.

Converting an automatic inflator to manual is easy: Just pull the string, trip it, and deflate it again, leaving the spent cartridge in place to seal the system. You can always seal it or cap it other ways, but that will always work. (I'd put some grease on the needle first, so it does't corrode in case you ever want to use it again.)

Do I trust my automatic to inflate all the time? Hell no. If I'm concious when I go overboard, I can deal with finding a way to float. But if I've been kissed by the boom and go unconcious ?! That unreliable automatic inflation and PFD might, just might, keep me from drowning. to me that's sweetening the odds "enough", because a Type1 is just not going to be worn all the time, and a type3 isn't going to get my face out of the water.

If you work on the water, odds are your employer follows a USCG/OSHA requirement for one of the Type1 vests and you have to wear the damn thing anyhow. For those of us who are allowed a bit more freedom...Might as well enjoy it.

Type 5 work vests like this are legal for job sites near the water. They are also company policy and used all the time on workboats for those working on deck. For inspected vessels, Type 1 life jackets are required to be on board for emergencies. They are not required to be worn on deck when working.

[Weyalan]

If I were a rich man (la la la la la la la la la)...

I would buy a Spinlock deckvest.

I am not a rich man, so I have a Burke inflatable harness (yoke style combined pfd & harness).

I prefer a combined pfd / harness because wearing wet-weather gear plus a pfd plus a harness gets bulky and restrictive.

The only downside to the Burke is the rather crappy crotch straps (optional - sold separately), but I plan on designing and making my own, for when conditions merit their use.

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

bewitched, you can also often (depending on how the brand is built) wrap the inflator and cart in saran wrap or aluminum foil, and then velcro down the pocket flap that protects them. This will pretty much prevent anything from wetting the mechanism--except outright submersion.

Or, just break out the TypeI's when you're taking green water on a regular basis.

I'm coming round to that way of thinking myself - a comfortable, lightweight type one for very day use - something more 'industrial' for heavy weather use.