Can anybody recommend a PFD that works well with a waist harness? Now that we ride foils we're doing much longer coast runs and sometimes mixing it with yachts and doing runs a lot further out to sea then usual. There's also the risk of light winds dropping to nothing.

Apart from being safer, I want to be seen to be doing the right thing by using appropriate safety gear. I would feel like a dick having to get rescued without having the most basic safety gear.I am currently using the Neil Pryde High Hook model. It works ok for general riding, but a hard crash causes it to ride up and it becomes a bit of a bunched up mess.

I have seen the Forward WIP vest and it looks quite good. They claim it is designed to be worn with a harness. Does anybody know if these work as claimed?

The rest of the offerings look to be simple impact vests, or more horrible life jacket style vests.

To follow on from this what Epirb/spot meter are blokes using?

The dakine impact vests are really thick and floaty...
And designed for a waist harness with cutaway.

Their not registered pfds but float very very well.
Preferably try one on before buying - there odd sizing.

Other than that - spend a quid on an ripcord inflatable. Some pretty cool ones available.

I'm sure that there are some special designs for kitesurfing which might suit but I found the kayaking PFDs from BCF most suitable for my needs. They are rated, are high cut for hook, lots of shoulder movement.

I've only used it for the odd race now and then and was suitable. I haven't considered it for everyday use but will do me for the occasional race that requires a PFD.

And as said above, always try them on and a rashie over the top helps hide all those clips so they don't get snagged on lines.

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Plummet said..
To follow on from this what Epirb/spot meter are blokes using?

I use an fairly old SPOT tracker for paragliding. It's about the cheapest and very reliable. About $200 to buy and $160 a year subscription. The new model doesn't do anything more but it has longer battery life and can use any kind of battery. I get over 100 hours out of a set of lithium batteries.

The serious adventurers use the Garmin InReach Explorer or Explorer+. They are much more expensive to buy $600 and much more expensive to operate. $300-$1000. They do some of the basic GPS functions but the real advantage is you can send text and emails from them by satellite.

I used to have an EPIRB but got rid of it when it went past its use by date. They just sit in the bag and do nothing. You press the self test button once a year then throw it out. If you have an emergency you press the button and the guys come and rescue you. A paraglider pilot used his recently. Apparently they were so chuffed to get a call out they covered his air ambulance bill.

The advantage of trackers (SPOT or Garmin) is that you can use them all the time. Your friends and family can watch what you're up to and share in the adventure. You can send pre-set messages or call in for help. If you don't check in then your track can be used to find you.

So, back to PFD. Any good ones out there? I'll see if the local shops have the Dakine impact vest.

The Forward WIP harnes is very popular here in Perth within our foil racing club.

I bought a cheapie Fluro yellow one from Action Sports in Balcatta and it works but is as ugly as sin by comparison

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Plummet said..
To follow on from this what Epirb/spot meter are blokes using?

I bought this one Plummet - smallest I could find.

ResQLink 406 MHz GPS PLB - $249 from Whitworths marine supplies.

Never needed to worry about anything more an than impact vest in the past. But as you have highlighted - it's not hard to clock up big distances and you end up travelling a lot further out to sea.

Longer foiling sessions now see me wearing the manual inflation, slim fit life jackets the fisherman get around in. Limtied runs with it, but so far it's been fine and out of the way. One positive is they are pretty cheap and only give buoyancy when activated.

After I was given this for xmas, I did see the WIP jacket and wondered if it might be better suited.

I bought a Forward WIP just recently (Got the safety knife as well). It's well made and fits really well above my waist harness, doesn't look too bad either. Would definitely recommend one.($150, knife $20).

It also satisfies the laws with regard to wearing a PDF for inland waters.

I could only find 2 sellers in the Melbourne area, one at Mornington and the other near St Kilda, so not a lot of options out there.

It hasn't stopped my waist harness riding up a bit which I was hoping, but as a newbie I am probably not wearing the harness correctly.

I find that my harness sucks the wind out of me, am I wearing it too tight or high?

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AGoodVintage said..
It hasn't stopped my waist harness riding up a bit which I was hoping, but as a newbie I am probably not wearing the harness correctly.

I find that my harness sucks the wind out of me, am I wearing it too tight or high?

Chest Harness is prolly a more appropriate name for them....

25 dollars max...blow it up if you get into strife&cut loose...
Put yr fins sunnies and zinc, water&muesli bars in the handy pocket :-)
Think they are snorkle vests
Awesome duckdiving with it on too !!!
....well it suits me anyway..simple and light :-)..and only there if you truly need it..

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spartacus said..


Longer foiling sessions now see me wearing the manual inflation, slim fit life jackets the fisherman get around in. Limtied runs with it, but so far it's been fine and out of the way. One positive is they are pretty cheap and only give buoyancy

Manual inflation..Like this one? Yes only there if required and doesnt obstruct and can still duck dive....
Rolls up to tiny in bag too...

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AGoodVintage said..
I bought a Forward WIP just recently (Got the safety knife as well). It's well made and fits really well above my waist harness, doesn't look too bad either. Would definitely recommend one.($150, knife $20).

It also satisfies the laws with regard to wearing a PDF for inland waters.

I could only find 2 sellers in the Melbourne area, one at Mornington and the other near St Kilda, so not a lot of options out there.

It hasn't stopped my waist harness riding up a bit which I was hoping, but as a newbie I am probably not wearing the harness correctly.

I find that my harness sucks the wind out of me, am I wearing it too tight or high?

+1. Had my Forward WIP for over 12 months now and wear kiting and sailing. They are a combined PFD and impact vest. Usually wear the Dakine Nitrous shorts harness, but used it with my waist harness a couple of times and it was fine. The cut and use of neoprene inside stops them riding up.

i use an npx pfd . In regards to a plb i have this one . self inflating ones are pointless if you get knocked out

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dusta said..
i use an npx pfd . In regards to a plb i have this one . self inflating ones are pointless if you get knocked out

Will research that...knocked out is kind of worst case scenario
Is there Anyone on here knocks out has happened too? Just intrigued...
Learnt years ago push a board away and cover head..etc..

I thought a Type 3 PFD (like NPX) isn't enough buoyancy to keep you afloat unaided - so you'll still sink if you're immobile (i.e. out cold). I'm assuming that even if if does keep you afloat when you're out - you won't necessarily be face up either?

I'm thinking that if you're knocked out in the water the outlook isn't good.

Sam

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UTB said..
I thought a Type 3 PFD (like NPX) isn't enough buoyancy to keep you afloat unaided - so you'll still sink if you're immobile (i.e. out cold). I'm assuming that even if if does keep you afloat when you're out - you won't necessarily be face up either?

I'm thinking that if you're knocked out in the water the outlook isn't good.

Sam

No Type 3 will float you face up if you are unconscious. They are a buoyancy vest and will float your body, just not face up. Only Type 1s - the big bulky ones with the thick collar - will float you face up in most situations, but are totally unsuitable for most water sports. As you said above, if you are knocked unconscious in the water the outlook is poor unless someone can come to your assistance quickly...

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UTB said..
I thought a Type 3 PFD (like NPX) isn't enough buoyancy to keep you afloat unaided - so you'll still sink if you're immobile (i.e. out cold). I'm assuming that even if if does keep you afloat when you're out - you won't necessarily be face up either?

I'm thinking that if you're knocked out in the water the outlook isn't good.

Sam

npx pfd's are a type 2 level 50 rated pfd not three which is level 50s .

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dusta said..

UTB said..
I thought a Type 3 PFD (like NPX) isn't enough buoyancy to keep you afloat unaided - so you'll still sink if you're immobile (i.e. out cold). I'm assuming that even if if does keep you afloat when you're out - you won't necessarily be face up either?

I'm thinking that if you're knocked out in the water the outlook isn't good.

Sam

npx pfd's are a type 2 level 50 rated pfd not three which is level 50s .

Good information.

I've done a quick bit of googling and there seems to be a number of Neil Pryde vests of various construction. It looks like the 'high hook' model has the best flotation. Is this the one you reckon is a good on to go for?

Whats the difference between type 2 and type 3 in terms of flotation?

I've got no expertise in this area so very much looking for guidance - I want to get a vest sooner than later.

Cheers


Sam

I think the laws about life jackets mean once you are a certain distance offshore they need to be either the big bulky ones or the inflatable type.
I checked on google maps where I have been getting out to in corner inlet and I'll be using one of our Solas approved inflatables.
In Feb. January is great white drop pups season in corner inlet.

I'm also trying to sort out a harness / impact vest combination. My understanding is 50 and 50s have same flotation.
The only difference is 50s is a bright colour. The 50 stands for 50 Newtons which means if you hang 5kg of lead off it, it will still float. I tested my current NP combination vest and it floats a 5kg weight but is not approved as a type 50 vest.

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UTB said..

Whats the difference between type 2 and type 3 in terms of flotation?

flotation? nothing - it is to do with colours. Type 2 (now called 50) must be red/yellow - type 3 (now called 50s) can be anything.


PFDs made to AS 4758 are marked as –
Level 150 – which is similiar to inflatable PFD Type 1 and suitable for offshore use
Level 100 – which is similiar to PFD Type 1 and the minimum requirement for offshore use
Level 50 – which is similiar to PFD Type 2
Level 50 Special Purpose (50s) – to replace PFD Type 3

and some more copy/paste....

* A PFD Type 1 is designed to keep you in a safe "face up" floating position. There are two types – fixed buoyancy and those which are self or manually inflatable. It can be worn for general boating in all waters.
* A PFD Type 2 or buoyancy vest has less buoyancy than a PFD Type 1 and may not rotate you to a "face up" floating position. Normally used for sailing, waterskiing, kayaking, canoeing, wind surfacing and on personal watercraft.
* A PFD Type 3 Has similiar buoyancy characteristics as PFD Type 2 but is manufactured in a wider range of colours. Favoured by waterskiers and PWC riders, it is also available as a built in garment (eg waterskiing wet suit).