Ever tried your safety gear?

dnv · 01 April 2013, 18:14

I did today. After the tide swept the ice out of our harbor, I and a friend dressed up: ski underwear, long ski socks, Musto fleece (salopette & snug shirt), snug jacket and on top of all the Ursuit Gemino drysuit incl neoprene gloves. This combined with neoprene boots, a 270N Secumar automatic lifejacket without crutch strap and - for me - with the neoprene hood and the Gecko helmet. Objective was to see how long one can stay in cold water, and if the equipment works in combination (lifejacket with drysuit, lifejacket with helmet). The Gecko fits on top of the neoprene hood. Downside is, that I could barely hear anything with 3mm neoprene and the helmet over my ears.
Good thing is that this piece of haute couture still allows to move around pretty easily. Dressing up takes a while, however.

The water temperature was 4.2DegC, air temp maybe 2DegC. It was a sunny day with zero wind. So in the water we went. I was drifting face up on the buoyancy of the suit, the release mechanism of the lifejacket was not submerged. I turned around, and after a couple of seconds it inflated. I continued to drift face down, but with the face a couple of cm above the water. However, the lifejacket did not turn me around. One reason is, that the LJ slipped a few cm upwards along my body towards my head, as it did not have crutch straps on the LJ. The other reason maybe, that it was not tied as tight as should be to my body. So I turned around myself. The helmet fitted well with the collar of the lifejacket, I believe that the visor gives a good spray protection. The neoprene seals at neck and wrist kept tight, and I continued to drift around happily.
My friend started to complain after a couple of minutes because of cold feet, he was wearing socks made from cotton only. I felt the water trickling into the neoprene gloves. It was kinda suprise to me (not a diver), that they kept my hands warm. As I still did not feel any cold I abandoned the test after 20minutes.

Lesson learned: the combination of gear is working, it kept the water out and the warmth in. However, the lifejacket has to fit perfectly, and crutch straps are essential. After a 20minutes I abandoned the test, as I did not feel any cold (and the tide was falling).

What are other peoples eperiences, ever tried your gear and what are your lessons?

Regards, Jan

treerat · 01 April 2013, 18:34

Good test, nice write up.

Was there any air in the dry suit? I wonder if this was affecting the flip performance too?

Low Flyer · 01 April 2013, 20:14

We are of to Cowes for a night cruise. We are going to try a night time mob exercise to see if light works on new deck vest. Will give write up tomorrow if all goes well.

dnv · 01 April 2013, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by treerat

Good test, nice write up.

Was there any air in the dry suit? I wonder if this was affecting the flip performance too?

That's the reason for using a 270N LJ.

Mollers · 01 April 2013, 20:28

I use the anchor and VHF a fair bit.

martini · 01 April 2013, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low Flyer

We are of to Cowes for a night cruise. We are going to try a night time mob exercise to see if light works on new deck vest. Will give write up tomorrow if all goes well.

And if it doesn't we'll read about it in the local paper....

Low Flyer · 01 April 2013, 20:40

Got some flares and a packet of Marlboro so should be ok till morning.

martini · 01 April 2013, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low Flyer

Got some flares and a packet of Marlboro so should be ok till morning.

Might need a Hamlet...

Low Flyer · 01 April 2013, 20:52

All joking aside I get the girlfriend to blow mine up monthly to ensure correct inflation. Liking the idea of the Hamlet, could complete the experience.

9D280 · 02 April 2013, 09:46

Never done that sort of test, but I do check the aux will start & run before I get too far from the launch site.....

Which reminds me, must check the flares are still in date.....

wavelength · 02 April 2013, 10:12

we do the annual boat course for local beach lifeguards.
Some years ago on a nice hot summers day (remember those?) James, a lifeguard went into the water to do a test inflation of a manual lifejacket-something their manager insisted on every year. Before entering the water he opened up the velcro fastening around the lifejacket for some reason or other ("to help it"!?!). In the water he pulled the inflation cord and NOTHING happened!

Amidst a chorus of abuse from his mates, including "if at first you don't suceed then skydiving is not for you!" he climbed back into the boat where we found that when the cord was pulled it was simply rocking the bottle and it was only the velcroed up outer shell that kept the thing rigid enough to fire it.
Bad design-lesson learned!

stew · 02 April 2013, 17:35

As we get our LJ's serviced annually we do, each take a jump off every feb. Practice live MOB and test all kit inc mini flares and waterproof VHF's. Part of the pre session staff training. I would defo recommend it to all, the confidence to be gained and learning points taken away are second to none.

PeterM · 02 April 2013, 18:20

No word from lowflyer....hope they are not still bobbing in the solent......

Either that or there is still some blowing up going on.......

Bigmuz7 · 02 April 2013, 19:45

I'm a great believer in this policy. We've eliminated many problems over the years by doing what you hope not to do ! Within reason of course .... I haven't thrown any of my friends in yet ! But I've certainly instructed them on how to wear a life jacket properly with correct settings for crutch straps for example ... and also the emergency stop drill on my most powerful ribs.

You'll never cover all the options, but having tested a few scenarios it will make you a bit calmer if the real thing happens, and that will count for a lot to help you resolve what ever position you find yourself in

SPR · 02 April 2013, 19:53

i know been posted before:

Cold Water Boot Camp - YouTube

Low Flyer · 02 April 2013, 20:59

All ok Peter. Felling a little deflated now...