Inflatable PDF/harness-manual or automatic

[Richard Formica]

Hi,
Other than the price, are there any downsides to the automatic inflatable PDF with built in harness? eg. Will it inflate if you get wet in the cockpit or something like that?
Are there any situations you can think of that one may need to get in the water fast (and not have time to remove the PDF/harness) but not want it to inflate?
Thanks,
rich
CD 36 Inerarity



richard.formica@yale.edu

[Chris Schnell]

Rich...I have the manual version of Suspenders for use offshore when we might find ourselves in inclement weather and want to use a jack line w/a harness. We normally use a "fanny pack" for racing locally, but have used them w/a large crew and find them comfortable enough. To me the biggest advantage of the automatic is simply that if you're knocked overboard (e.g., boomed on a jibe-which I've seen happen in a 5 knot current in our Cape Fear river)and not coherent enough to pull the cord, then at least you're floating automatically. What I don't know about is the details of how they inflate when immersed in water (e.g., so many seconds, so much saturation, etc.). If I ever replace these I will do so w/the automatics for that additional assurance. Good Luck.

Fair Winds & Calm Seas,

Chris Schnell & Dale Hampton
s/v MADNESS III, CD30 #235
Southport, NC



swabbie@compaq.net

[Mario]

We have one of each--automatic and manual, both with harnesses. It does add some expense to the PFD, but it's still cheaper than buying a separate harness. My logic is, if it's rough enough to wear a harness, you also want to be wearing a PFD. The Bay isn't known for big waves, but the chop can kick up and tire you out and that's when I think it would be easy to slip over the side.

Apparently in earlier automatic models the bobbins in automatic models would sometimes be triggered by spray or rain, but that problems is reportedly solved in current models.

Mario
s/s Rhapsody
CD30 #252
Windmill Point, VA

Hi,
Other than the price, are there any downsides to the automatic inflatable PDF with built in harness? eg. Will it inflate if you get wet in the cockpit or something like that?
Are there any situations you can think of that one may need to get in the water fast (and not have time to remove the PDF/harness) but not want it to inflate?
Thanks,
rich
CD 36 Inerarity

capedory252NOSPAM@aol.com

[Tom G]

I have owned one since 1994, never had it inflate by rain or waves. The only thing I can think of that answers the second part of your question is dropping your wallet overboard. You would want to dive after it, without the PFD inflating.

Tom
Hi,

Other than the price, are there any downsides to the automatic inflatable PDF with built in harness? eg. Will it inflate if you get wet in the cockpit or something like that?
Are there any situations you can think of that one may need to get in the water fast (and not have time to remove the PDF/harness) but not want it to inflate?
Thanks,
rich
CD 36 Inerarity

[John R.]

Rich...I have the manual version of Suspenders for use offshore when we might find ourselves in inclement weather and want to use a jack line w/a harness. We normally use a "fanny pack" for racing locally, but have used them w/a large crew and find them comfortable enough. To me the biggest advantage of the automatic is simply that if you're knocked overboard (e.g., boomed on a jibe-which I've seen happen in a 5 knot current in our Cape Fear river)and not coherent enough to pull the cord, then at least you're floating automatically. What I don't know about is the details of how they inflate when immersed in water (e.g., so many seconds, so much saturation, etc.). If I ever replace these I will do so w/the automatics for that additional assurance. Good Luck.

Fair Winds & Calm Seas,

Chris Schnell & Dale Hampton
s/v MADNESS III, CD30 #235
Southport, NC

Chris and Mario,

I've been casually thinking about these things for awhile now and I was wondering if you do get knocked out with a jibe or from some other reason and do a swan over the side will these automatic units turn the wearer face up like a type I preserver? How well do they keep the face above waves? Have you guys ever practiced with the ones you have just to see how well they work. Let me ask you this......if you were caught in real rough conditions would you rather be in a inflated vest or in a solid fill vest? At what point does a person choose comfort over safety is what I'm wondering about? I like those fanny pack vests that can be worn while working around the deck but the nagging question always arises.....what if you get knocked out and then take a dive over the side. If you only had one type of vest to have with you no matter the conditions what type would it be? How tough are the those things, don't you get concerned about accidental punctures?

I would like to read experiences from others that own inflatable vests and packs.

[Al Smith]

I've had an automatic for about 4 years now and have loved it, with one excepted incident. We were half-way to Bermuda , in our second or third day of rain and spray when my vest inflated while I was sitting in the cockpit!! It was new at the time, I was wet but not soaked, and it took a second for me to figure out what was happening. I never could figure out whether the bobbin got too wet or if I accidently pulled the manual release, but it sure worked nicely. It's like that parachute;the ones that don't open never get returned.

Al

[Jim Newton]

I've had an automatic for about 4 years now and have loved it, with one excepted incident. We were half-way to Bermuda , in our second or third day of rain and spray when my vest inflated while I was sitting in the cockpit!! It was new at the time, I was wet but not soaked, and it took a second for me to figure out what was happening. I never could figure out whether the bobbin got too wet or if I accidently pulled the manual release, but it sure worked nicely. It's like that parachute;the ones that don't open never get returned.

Jim Newton
Alcyone CD30



jnewt@hs-e.com

[Jim Newton]

I've had an automatic for about 4 years now and have loved it, with one excepted incident. We were half-way to Bermuda , in our second or third day of rain and spray when my vest inflated while I was sitting in the cockpit!! It was new at the time, I was wet but not soaked, and it took a second for me to figure out what was happening. I never could figure out whether the bobbin got too wet or if I accidently pulled the manual release, but it sure worked nicely. It's like that parachute;the ones that don't open never get returned.

Jim Newton
Alcyone CD30



jnewt@hs-e.com

[Bruce Lumsden]

All-

I recently purchased the West Marine version of SOSpenders (manual) for use on my CD and while kayaking. The reason for my purchase of the manual model is that in a kayak, one can end up in the water and not want automatic inflation. Also, the smaller bulk for both of my purposes is desirable. I took the PFD for a test drive last week (wearing a wetsuit- the sea temp in Maine is still only in the high 40s) and I was very pleased with how the device operates and with how it held me up in the water- this PFD has a large amount of reserve buoyancy- good for someone like me who has always had the bouyancy characteristics of a cinder block. An issue of Practical Sailor sometime late last year had a very good discussion of the merits of the different types of inflatables, hybrids, etc. that I found very useful in making my decision. I hope this input is helpful.

Bruce Lumsden
CD 25 'Sabine'
Hull 314
Harpswell, Maine

Hi,
Other than the price, are there any downsides to the automatic inflatable PDF with built in harness? eg. Will it inflate if you get wet in the cockpit or something like that?
Are there any situations you can think of that one may need to get in the water fast (and not have time to remove the PDF/harness) but not want it to inflate?
Thanks,
rich
CD 36 Inerarity

JLumsden@gwi.net

[Chris Reinke - CD330]

I have used both the auto and the manual inflating models. If I were to purchase another I would select the auto inflating model. As a rule, we use our harnesses whenever we are sailing at night, in foul weather, or if sailing solo. I have never had an accidential inflation even in a hard driving rain, or when caught by a wave over the bow.

Rich...I have the manual version of Suspenders for use offshore when we might find ourselves in inclement weather and want to use a jack line w/a harness. We normally use a "fanny pack" for racing locally, but have used them w/a large crew and find them comfortable enough. To me the biggest advantage of the automatic is simply that if you're knocked overboard (e.g., boomed on a jibe-which I've seen happen in a 5 knot current in our Cape Fear river)and not coherent enough to pull the cord, then at least you're floating automatically. What I don't know about is the details of how they inflate when immersed in water (e.g., so many seconds, so much saturation, etc.). If I ever replace these I will do so w/the automatics for that additional assurance. Good Luck.

Fair Winds & Calm Seas,

Chris Schnell & Dale Hampton
s/v MADNESS III, CD30 #235
Southport, NC

[will parker]

I have heard a lot of anecdotal evidence of the automatic inflatable vests inflating in heavy rain, or even high humidity. No personal first hand knowledge, though. I'm sticking with the manual.
will
"Jambalaya"
CD30

I have used both the auto and the manual inflating models. If I were to purchase another I would select the auto inflating model. As a rule, we use our harnesses whenever we are sailing at night, in foul weather, or if sailing solo. I have never had an accidential inflation even in a hard driving rain, or when caught by a wave over the bow.

Rich...I have the manual version of Suspenders for use offshore when we might find ourselves in inclement weather and want to use a jack line w/a harness. We normally use a "fanny pack" for racing locally, but have used them w/a large crew and find them comfortable enough. To me the biggest advantage of the automatic is simply that if you're knocked overboard (e.g., boomed on a jibe-which I've seen happen in a 5 knot current in our Cape Fear river)and not coherent enough to pull the cord, then at least you're floating automatically. What I don't know about is the details of how they inflate when immersed in water (e.g., so many seconds, so much saturation, etc.). If I ever replace these I will do so w/the automatics for that additional assurance. Good Luck.

Fair Winds & Calm Seas,

Chris Schnell & Dale Hampton
s/v MADNESS III, CD30 #235
Southport, NC

whildenp@earthlnk.net