- when the arms are raised straight above the head the tops of the jacket will go up around your ears!

I’m also a swimmer and have found the safety vests most often used in catamaran sailing will do a reasonable job of keeping you afloat (of course no guarantees) but leave much to be desired when it comes to actually swimming or working in the water. Though all the sailing vests on the market look good and are very fashionable they actually function poorly in the event of capsize or when you need to do some work in the water. I live in the tropics so a wetsuit is out. Anything out there in the way of PFD that might work a little better then this MM rubbish?

Kayaking PFD's are the best in my opinion. They either have a strop going between your big-toes (but a bit higher), or are a tightened at the sides after you put it on. This keeps them in place
We have been swimming plenty in our kayaking PFD's, and have not had any problems with them.

Rolf, do you have a picture of what it looks like?

In Europe do the countries have to offically approve life jackets under agencies like our U.S. Coast Guard?

I've used a number of life vests over the years and in the last couple of years have settled on the kayaking styles as being the most comfortable.

I'm currently using the Extrasport Retroglide Avenger:

But, it has a tendency to ride up - it's being pushed up by the high, stiff back support on my trapeze harness. I have to wear a rashie over everything to hold it down.

Alternatively, I also use a Lotus Sherman:


It sits higher, but the foam blocks are thicker, so when I wear a rashie over it, it makes me look like I've had . . . um . . an implant operation.

I've never had a problem swimming with either vest, but I did find that the minimal amount of flotation in the trapeze harness (in the butt) made me want to roll face-down if I was just floating in the water.

Matt,
I did not quite understand the last thing you said about the trapeze harness. What does that have to do with PFD's (life jackets)?

I too agree with that kayaking vests are the best! They also sit higher, making the use of a trapeze harness under it much easier. They are designed with the intent of allowing the user full range of motion in the arms, which is often needed on a cat. Check out the "Lola" model my Lotus Designs, or the "Contour" or "Retroglide" by Extrasport. I have the Lola and the Retroglide, both are great!

Trey
N20 873
www.velocitysailing.com

Yes something to keep it from floating up around your ears. Is a rashie like a skin suit?

Anybody ever tryed swimming even 100 meters in one of these things?

Stohlquist is another brand originaly designed for kayaking that is really good for sailing. The company founder sails with our Hobie fleet and is working on designs specifically for sailing.

I have a model with a crotch strap, and have no issues with it moving. Just need to make sure everything is "in the right place" when I put it on.

Mary: Yes, PFD's need to be approved and marked over here.

Mary,

Even though Type III PFD's aren't required to roll you to a face-up position if you are unconscious, most of them will hold you there (face-up) if you are able to get to that position.

What I found (floating around in a pool in full gear), was that I had to actively work to keep face up because of the flotation in the butt of my trap harness. That's a little scary.

This team is wearing rashies over their PFD's/harnesses:

I never really thought about it, but why is there flotation in the butt of the trapeze harness? Is it there for the purpose of flotation or is it just padding that happens to float?

I'm pretty sure it's just padding that happens to float...I've noticed the same tendancy. My Gull full harness has this padding in the dairy-aire region. However, my Gull Worrell harness does not.

I think the skin suits over the top of everything also must help alleviate some of the snag points that all those buckles produce. I think I counted ten on my harness alone!

I seem to remember reading somewhere that trapeze harnesses was supposed to be bouyant. Perhaps from some SI or something..

If the harness were supposed to be used for a personal floation device the last place you would want the flotation is in the backside. This would roll you over onto your belly. Since your head has very little fat in it, it doesn't float well and will dangle in the water.

This is not condusive to keeping your head above water so you can breathe when injured.

So maybe we should have lead put into the butt of our harnesses, that way it will always point down. Then again, my butt sinks already....
Trey
N20 873
www.velocitysailing.com

OK so can we all agree that these things just don't work as they hinder in water work (such as righting a cat and swimming) and most won't float you face up in the event you were knocked unconsciousness. So how is it that happened?

Also I can't help but notice all the "children’s" versions of these "so called" safety vests have crotch straps.

Most of the life vests we use make no claim of being able to right an unconscious person face up.

From the USCG:
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs): By law you must have one PFD (Type I, II, III ) on board for each person aboard. A type V PFD may be counted it is is being worn. If your boat is 16 feet or more, you must also have a throwable PFD (Type IV).

Type I PFD: Off-shore life jacket. Provides a minimum of 22 lbs of buoyancy. Recommended for off-shore boating where delayed rescue may take place. A Type I PFD will turn most unconscious persons face-up.

Type II PFD: Near-shore life jacket. Provides a minimum of 15.5 lbs of buoyancy. Recommended for coastal or lake boating where prompt rescue is likely. A Type II PFD will turn most unconscious persons face-up.

Type III PFD: Flotation Aids such as ski vests are designed for comfort and ease of motion.


Type IV PFD: Throwable Device: For example: Life ring, floatable cushions.
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The other types of lifevests other than Type I trade off face-righting ability for comfort and mobility. They are only reccomended for coastal and inland boating. If you not comfortable with that then make sure you get a Type I or Type II vest. Also make sure your trap harness does not have any extra padding on the bottom that may cause unwanted flotation.

What is YOUR plan if swept off your boat?

Here's an idea I'm not sure of.

Someone once mentioned carrying a length of thin line in your PFD pocket as a tether. Let's say you go overboard and get separated from your boat. I can't see waiting for the mythical helicopter when land is only 2-3 miles away so you decide to swim for land. Since productive swimming is nearly impossible in a PDF, take it off and tie it to yourself and tow it as you swim in. You'd still have it nearby if you got tired but now you can swim a powerful crawl and do the distance without getting exhausted in the bulky PFD. The only other options are to NOT swim or to abandon the PFD completely.

Does this sound sensible? It's easy to implement. Eight feet of line in your pocket. Make the call at the time.