Life Jackets

Biggles · 21 March 2007, 21:30

I have an auto life jacket I want to convert to manual activation. If I remove the auto mechanism by unscrewing it will the manual bit still work ?

benc · 21 March 2007, 23:25

If I was you, to be 100% safe/sure... test it.. the canisters are only about £12 - others will probably give you a definitive answer, but i'd try it myself so I knew for sure.

Aging Youth · 22 March 2007, 07:58

Hi Biggles,

Any particular reason for trying to convert an Auto to Manual?

I for one would only ever use an Auto inflation Jacket.

A couple of summers ago I was invloved in an man overboard incident and I firmly believe that the auto inflation jacket saved a mans life.

I am just curious to your view on the matter.

Cheers

tcwozere · 22 March 2007, 08:22

If you do, probably a good idea to put a label on the jacket, so others know it isn't an auto anymore..

John Kennett · 22 March 2007, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

I have an auto life jacket I want to convert to manual activation. If I remove the auto mechanism by unscrewing it will the manual bit still work ?

Yes it will.

Easy way to see for yourself is to take off the auto mechanism, and remove the gas bottle. Look into the opening where the gas bottle goes, and pull the manual toggle. You'll see the sharp spiky bit moving up as if to fire the gas.

John

John Kennett · 22 March 2007, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aging Youth

I for one would only ever use an Auto inflation Jacket.

I'd be interested to see you getting into the water to clear a fouled prop then!

For normal use I agree that auto lifejackets are definitely preferable to manual, but there are some situations when a manual might be a better tool for the job.

John

Biggles · 22 March 2007, 19:46

kevin,

Reason for doing it because of the numerous accidental discharges I have had over the years from minor dunkings. Starting to get expensive.

I have now started to buy manual lifejackets.

Yes It might cost me my life one day if I knock myself unconscious. But I or someone who doesn't go out on the boat so much might also have problems under an inverted boat with not being able to get out from under it.

Bit of six of one and half a dozen of the other.

John. Will do as you suggest as a confirmation check over the next few days.

Nick.

John Kennett · 22 March 2007, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Yes It might cost me my life one day if I knock myself unconscious.

Or can't find or pull the toggle because of thermal shock, panic or general disorientation.

Quote:

But I or someone who doesn't go out on the boat so much might also have problems under an inverted boat with not being able to get out from under it.

Rather less likely IMO

Quote:

Bit of six of one and half a dozen of the other.

More like 10 of one and two of the other I'd say!

John

Oogs · 22 March 2007, 21:08

Hi Biggles,
Have you thought about purchasing a "HAMMAR" lifejacket?
A Hammar Auto jacket will only activate in 10cm of water, it's pressure sensitive. I think this is the type to have on a rib as it's extremely unlikely to go off accidently when covered in spray. It also has the manual toggle activation as well..... not cheap though, but it is a life preserving aid.... hence priceless.
Don't forget to fit a Seago or Crewsaver spray hood to the jacket..... trust my advice, I've been there!

codprawn · 22 March 2007, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Or can't find or pull the toggle because of thermal shock, panic or general disorientation. Rather less likely IMOMore like 10 of one and two of the other I'd say!

John

Not necessarily. On an open RIB maybe but on most boats with cabins it's the other way around. There was a classic example a whole ago when a plane crashed onto a beach - the lifejackets WERE manual but the passengers panicked and inflated them anyway - many drowned because of it.

John Kennett · 22 March 2007, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Not necessarily. On an open RIB maybe but on most boats with cabins it's the other way around.

Silly me! There I was, thinking this was a RIB forum . . .

John

Bigmuz7 · 22 March 2007, 22:23

Yes .. I've had an auto blow up in my face when I least expected it, whilst at the helm

due to the 'pill' getting damp I think. It (vest) was never dunked at all , but they will be less reliable after a season IMHO, and I concluded the triggers should be changed every year

codprawn · 22 March 2007, 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Silly me! There I was, thinking this was a RIB forum . . .

John

And there was me thinking quite a few RIBs have cabins these days......

benc · 23 March 2007, 09:50

I funniest time I had with an auto life jacket going off when not expecting it, was when my boat filled with water on the mooring (warsash is bad for it) during some really rough weather... I had a couple of life jackets in my front pod seat, and they had gotten wet!... I undone the catch on the jockey seat and there was this explosion sound, two life jackets finished inflating, pod seat top flew open, and I jumped back onto the pontoon!

jyasaki · 23 March 2007, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Not necessarily. On an open RIB maybe but on most boats with cabins it's the other way around. There was a classic example a whole ago when a plane crashed onto a beach - the lifejackets WERE manual but the passengers panicked and inflated them anyway - many drowned because of it.

Drowned on the beach?

jky

codprawn · 23 March 2007, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Drowned on the beach?

jky

Who rattled you cage today - or are you just determind to wind me up - chill man!!!

The plane did crash along a beach but ended up in shallow water(tide was in). I saw a Discovery programme on it and the Captain specifically told people NOT to inflate their lifejackets - which of course people ignored!!!

Charles · 23 March 2007, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Silly me! There I was, thinking this was a RIB forum . . .

John

What's happening John old boy; is no-it-all codspawn getting to you as well?

codprawn · 23 March 2007, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles

What's happening John old boy; is no-it-all codspawn getting to you as well?

Wondered when you would jump on the waggon....

Charles · 23 March 2007, 19:00

Wagon has one 'g' - just like Google!

jyasaki · 23 March 2007, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Who rattled you cage today - or are you just determind to wind me up - chill man!!!

Not my fault. You were the one posting all this stuff.

Quote:

The plane did crash along a beach but ended up in shallow water(tide was in). I saw a Discovery programme on it and the Captain specifically told people NOT to inflate their lifejackets - which of course people ignored!!!

Little different than crashing "on the beach".

jky