inflatable lifejackets - what's what?

[ex Elly 116]

4 hours ago, raz88 said:

Particularly re Baltic, which I have, as the information on the Baltic website says that you should have it serviced each year by an authorized agent OR you can do it yourself.

There has been discussion about Baltic servicing on crew.org previously. Their wording was ambiguous as to whether self-service was acceptable. Maybe they have updated the wording? Island Time knows more about this.

 

[mischief 2]

6 hours ago, raz88 said:

Interested in where this info comes from? Particularly re Baltic, which I have, as the information on the Baltic website says that you should have it serviced each year by an authorized agent OR you can do it yourself.

Is the above from ynz? Or just something collated from what you could find?

copied and pasted from the YNZ website.... link here:

 

https://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/news/service-requirements-inflatable-lifejackets

[raz88 67]

I agree with psyche, but am concerned about category inspection or pre race safety inspections by clubs if the manufacturer specifies your lifejacket needs pro servicing and you've self serviced it.

The baltic material is still ambiguous. Refers to the ability to self service but that they 'recommend' professional servicing. 

[Black Panther 1,238]

Get an old fashioned one, doesn't need servicing. 

[Psyche 349]

15 hours ago, raz88 said:

I agree with psyche, but am concerned about category inspection or pre race safety inspections by clubs if the manufacturer specifies your lifejacket needs pro servicing and you've self serviced it.

The baltic material is still ambiguous. Refers to the ability to self service but that they 'recommend' professional servicing. 

They are trying to make it more complicated than what it is, Baltic is part of the EU rules and regs mentality- they sell to plenty of people who buy yachts like they would an appliance and get everything done by professionals because its convenient or they are not practical. Reading the blurb, you can absolutely self service their jackets, it would be market suicide for any manufacturer to stipulate return to base annually, if so then the resellers would need to stipulate it or there would be a giant warning label saying DANGER IF NOT SERVICED EVERY 12  MONTHS THIS DEVICE MAY NOT WORK... yeah right!

[Black Panther 1,238]

https://www.practical-sailor.com/safety-seamanship/making-a-case-for-inherent-buoyancy?MailingID=921&sc=WIR20220814-SurvivalAtSea&st=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=PFDs+for+Extreme+Events&utm_campaign=WIR20220814-SurvivalAtSea

[twisty 149]

I have a Stormr Strykr jacket which I bought a few years ago. The idea is it uses 2mm neoprene with a fibrepile liner. The intention is that it is warm and also provides buoyancy. I think it's a great idea however the neoprene soaks up water which then leaks through. When I use it now I put a light raincoat on over it.

https://stormrusa.com/product/new-strykr-jacket/

[aardvarkash10 755]

4 hours ago, Black Panther said:

https://www.practical-sailor.com/safety-seamanship/making-a-case-for-inherent-buoyancy?MailingID=921&sc=WIR20220814-SurvivalAtSea&st=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=PFDs+for+Extreme+Events&utm_campaign=WIR20220814-SurvivalAtSea

Great article.  Puts the pros and cons and (to my untrained eye) makes valid conclusions based on circumstances, usage type etc.  Interesting point early on about using a fixed bouyancy jacket OVER an inflatable when doing a controlled evacuation.  That make sense to me.

[Kevin McCready 76]

I would never put anything over an inflatable. Imagine what happens to what you are wearing if the inflatable pops and inflates.