Crewsaver or Kru lifejacket

[kippax]

Hi ,
I've been looking at buying a new lifejacket and have after some research narrowed it down between either a Crewsaver crewfit 165N sport manual and Kru sport 185N manual lifejacket, but I am unsure on which one to choose as I'm looking at which one will be the more durable and safest as the Kru lifejacket has a higher buoyancy rating that the Crewsaver. Any advice on which one would be the best to buy would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks Matt

[ShinyShoe]

Manual? Really?

Kru has a spray hood. Don't think the crewsaver does. I know which I'd prefer if I'm at the point of worrying if 20N of bouyancy was important I'd quite like to keep the spray out my airway.

Crewsaver crotch strap seems to not be near the middle of the front.

[John Kennett]

They're both good lifejackets, but I'd go for an automatic.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Kru but make sure you have a spare co2 cartridge if you go auto get it wet and you're buggered

[beamishken]

Manual jacket almost useless if you go in unexpectedly ( which is usual)
I work offshore and do helicopter escape training and the last excersise is to swim out of the sunk simulator and set off your jacket and climb into a liferaft every time I struggle to find the toggle and set off the lifejacket once you find it it invariably slips out your hand.
This is in a practice situation in a pool where you know what's going to happen
Fall in unexpectedly add in cold water shock and I suspect you'll struggle with a manual jacket

[Last Tango]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Manual jacket almost useless if you go in unexpectedly ( which is usual)
I work offshore and do helicopter escape training and the last excersise is to swim out of the sunk simulator and set off your jacket and climb into a liferaft every time I struggle to find the toggle and set off the lifejacket once you find it it invariably slips out your hand.
This is in a practice situation in a pool where you know what's going to happen
Fall in unexpectedly add in cold water shock and I suspect you'll struggle with a manual jacket

+1

Unless you actually intend to got in the water it's got to be an automatic.
As Beamishken say, you'll be staggered at how hard you have to pull that bl@@dy toggle and how long it takes to find it in freezing cold water. By the time you come to your senses and start fumbling around looking for it, the automatic would already have inflated.

[Brian]

Automatic every time.
Don't even dream about manual.

[treerat]

I use an auto for rib runs and play days and a manual for safety work.

Others have explained why - think of your use and the likelihood of getting it wet.

[kippax]

Thanks for all the replies, I will definitely be getting an automatic lifejacket now.