I'll be interested to see how affordable they make the CO2 recharging kits. Stormy Seas for instance charges $22 for a new cylinder....which is enough to make you think twice before pulling the inflation toggle

Unfortunately it doesn't protect you in the event that you get knocked out.

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BFlood said..
I'll be interested to see how affordable they make the CO2 recharging kits. Stormy Seas for instance charges $22 for a new cylinder....which is enough to make you think twice before pulling the inflation toggle

Most motorcycle shops have the CO2 inflator canisters and they are cheap. We use them to re-inflate dirt bike tyres in the bush if you've had a flat. The last ones I bought were just over $7 each for the smaller ones. There is a larger size as well but I can't remember how much they were. Apparently soda stream uses the same thing but I can't confirm that, never used one.

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I've already had my leash snap, you're in the impact zone and you're in trouble.

So... you hit the inflate button and remove all option of going under the whitewater/impact? These seems a little off to me. Half of the drowning happens when you can't get under the whitewater, it just catches you, and you then get flung around and around and around, for what seems like forever.

And then there are times when the rip/current and/or tide is going out and you get trapped in the impact zone, forever being taken in by a wave and then sucked back out again. If you can't ever go under you're actually screwed.

Admittedly there are those times where you don't know even know which way is up. And it's dark. A panic button would be nice.

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evlPanda said..

I've already had my leash snap, you're in the impact zone and you're in trouble.

So... you hit the inflate button and remove all option of going under the whitewater/impact? These seems a little off to me. Half of the drowning happens when you can't get under the whitewater, it just catches you, and you then get flung around and around and around, for what seems like forever.

And then there are times when the rip/current and/or tide is going out and you get trapped in the impact zone, forever being taken in by a wave and then sucked back out again. If you can't ever go under you're actually screwed.

Admittedly there are those times where you don't know even know which way is up. And it's dark. A panic button would be nice.

It makes it easier to find your body later on though.

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John340 said..
Unfortunately it doesn't protect you in the event that you get knocked out.

No life vest does really. If you get knocked out and you have a vest (inflatable or not) on you will most probably end up face down. A life jacket on the other hand is designed so that if you get knocked out it rights you and keeps your face above the water. This works for most people however those with thick legs may find it won't right them. (About 1 in 20) Acid test is of course in the pool and face down and see if it turns you over. The other advantage of a standard vest is that if you get catapulted you get a bit of protection from impact injuries. (I have test this considerably) The other thing I like about a life vest is that if get into trouble I know I won't hesitate to attach my vest to my rig and disconnect it and paddle my board in.

Here is a link to the survival at sea manual.

http://www.boatbooks-aust.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=29908&osCsid=9a5fb3df4c2e13606c3a0c33f843991a

^ I agree. I use a pro limit impact vest as a life vest. It won't save me if I'm unconscious but it floats me, helps with water starting and has saved my ribs.

Skydivers have similar life jackets and they will deploy automatically when submerged. But I guess that wouldn't be too useful as it would probably go off with every stack.

Through a few mishaps and accidents it has been found that the 150N inflatable life vest probably will not roll a decent sized person onto their back if unconscious. They can float up to 150kg.
We are now issued 275N life vests as the chance of floating the right way up is greatly improved.

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Dean 424 said..

John340 said..
Unfortunately it doesn't protect you in the event that you get knocked out.

No life vest does really. If you get knocked out and you have a vest (inflatable or not) on you will most probably end up face down. A life jacket on the other hand is designed so that if you get knocked out it rights you and keeps your face above the water. This works for most people however those with thick legs may find it won't right them. (About 1 in 20) Acid test is of course in the pool and face down and see if it turns you over. The other advantage of a standard vest is that if you get catapulted you get a bit of protection from impact injuries. (I have test this considerably) The other thing I like about a life vest is that if get into trouble I know I won't hesitate to attach my vest to my rig and disconnect it and paddle my board in.

Here is a link to the survival at sea manual.

http://www.boatbooks-aust.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=29908&osCsid=9a5fb3df4c2e13606c3a0c33f843991a

So you reckon the vest will keep the rig afloat? sounds like a good idea if it works..

Can't see why it wouldn't Sue. I suppose if you look at the weight of the rig would be say 10kg. Rubber on boom and volume of the rig would cause I think when full of water to be at the most be around 7kg x 9.8ms2= 68.6 Newtons of force to float it. Most vests are minimum 100 Newtons of force and the inflatables are normally more. Big advantage of the them is more buoyancy with little bulk. The other good thing with manual inflatables is you can inflate them when you decide.

I remember years ago on the new inventors an old bloke came on with an inflating rashie That could be used in emergency as life jacket .
But he failed as his wife sewed it all up for him & the seams were on the inside they determined that it failed its purpose as a rashie .
I thought being fair it was a good idea & proto type number two would have solved that problem after that bit of feed back but Ive never seen it on the market so maybe he went home & gave up.

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actiomax said..
I remember years ago on the new inventors an old bloke came on with an inflating rashie That could be used in emergency as life jacket .
But he failed as his wife sewed it all up for him & the seams were on the inside they determined that it failed its purpose as a rashie .
I thought being fair it was a good idea & proto type number two would have solved that problem after that bit of feed back but Ive never seen it on the market so maybe he went home & gave up.

I have been testing one of these out the last couple of weeks and I can't fault it. I have used it for both windsurfing and supping.