|
Post by margaret on Jan 23, 2014 10:06:43 GMT
Hello everyone - I'm hoping to get some feedback from Skiffers about lifejackets, specifically what type people are using, suppliers and how clubs go about maintenance. We currently have 10 club lifejackets and are about ready to replace half of them. We have been using a style similar to the Crewfit 150N with harness, stainless steel D ring and buckle. www.crewsaver.co.uk/Crewsaver/Crewsaver_Leisure_Products/index.html?catid=2Some of our original lifejackets were fitted with 38g gas canisters which are more expensive than 33g, so when replacing a jacket we look for models that take 33g canisters. The RNLI recommend the use of thigh straps so we also make sure this is a feature of club jackets. We have tried a lifejacket specifically designed for rowing from Marine Warehouse www.lifejackets.co.uk/Lifejackets-Rowing.htmand whilst this may be suitable for individual use, we found that for Club use it is not robust enough because the strapping easily becomes tangled and pulls the bladder out from the shell. Some of our members have tried the ‘bum pack’ type www.lifejackets.co.uk/products/693/superlight-manual-150n-rowing-bum-bag-lifejacketthat were gracefully demonstrated at Loch Venacher, but the jury seems to be out on their suitability for club/general use. Following a visit from Michael Avril of the RNLI who gave the club a very interesting talk and demonstration on lifejackets (available on request) rnli.org/safetyandeducation/stayingsafe/seasafety/Pages/Lifejackets.aspxwe try to follow their recommended monthly, 3-monthly and 6-monthly checks (see above link). It would be really helpful to hear your comments, suggestions and experiences on your club lifejackets. Do you have a reliable supplier, favourite model etc? How much do you pay for a lifejacket? How often do you replace them? Also, if you have recommendations for annual or other maintenance they would be welcome. Hope to hear from many of you! Margaret, Rowporty
|
|
|
Post by Elsie Johnstone on Jan 23, 2014 16:35:32 GMT
While I have a bumbag type for racing, I use the waistcoat type one for when we are out of the harbour, especially in the wilder weather? We also took advice from our local RNLI and did a demonstration in the harbour last year to show we could all manually inflate the lifejackets if necessary. I think the bumbag versions are fine for racing as there are always safety boats in attendance on those occasions. We maintain them regularly, as per RNLI instructions. Most of our lifejackets are KRU. Elsie (Anster club)
|
|
|
Post by seanie on Jan 23, 2014 20:52:04 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Ian Robinson on Jan 23, 2014 21:16:19 GMT
Maintenance and storage should be as per the manufacturers instructions. The RNLI as I recall advise on auto inflating jackets with a hood and light. Always worth carrying a spare CO2 cartridge in case of accidental inflation. Always worth checking the lifejacket is worn properly to prevent it from riding up. Personal flotation devices are sometimes considered suitable for calm waters for strong swimmers but will not keep an unconscious persons head above water. We use Baltic but the RNLI use Crewsaver which seems a good endorsement. Don't think I would like to use a bum pack in cold water as the cold can seriously impair bodily functions, including dexterity and mobility. Lifejackets aside are clubs aware of SOLAS V Regulations that apply to small pleasure boats? www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/regssafety/pleasurecraftregs/Pages/SOLASV.aspxwww.dft.gov.uk/mca/pleasure_craft_information_packdec07-2.pdf
|
|
AP
New Member
I should never have listened to Mark Irvine
Posts: 39
|
Post by AP on Jan 23, 2014 21:33:57 GMT
|
|
|
Post by seanie on Jan 23, 2014 21:50:01 GMT
We've got one or two of that type but still find it a bit annoying.
|
|
AP
New Member
I should never have listened to Mark Irvine
Posts: 39
|
Post by AP on Jan 23, 2014 21:58:45 GMT
We've got one or two of that type but still find it a bit annoying. Some people seem happy with any type and others are very particular, probably depends on body shape and rowing style. Best to pick what the majority are happy with as club jackets and let anyone with special requirements buy their own.
|
|
|
Post by Gareth on Jan 23, 2014 22:02:50 GMT
At Boatie Blest we have Gael Force Fastnet (150N) automatic jackets, all with dangly crotch straps, which we insist are worn at all times. They are far from perfect as the gas bottles/bobbins can get in the way and do your hand/wrist damage. Having said that we haven't found anything better yet. We didn't like the bum bag things, except perhaps as Elsie said when actually racing with umpires/safety boats and whatnot. We check the jackets regularly and have found that they don't last very long as rowing causes much more wear than, for example, wearing a jacket while sipping a Pimms on your cruiser. It is certainly worth checking them more often than the advisory service intervals, even if just to look for wear on the inflatable bag bit. We pay £60-£70 a jacket and have concluded that they last between 1 and 2 years. We have some manual inflation versions too and do use them but at the moment but they are not significantly cheaper and only slightly less bulky about the bottle area. Probably not worth taking the extra risk of having to fumble with the cord while immersed in the North Sea after a whack on the head from a fellow rower or, more probably, from an vicious cox.
|
|
|
Post by seanie on Jan 23, 2014 22:06:20 GMT
We had automatic for a while but launching off the beach they went off accidentally too often. We discourage people from hitting each other on the head, but with mixed success.
|
|
|
Post by Elsie Johnstone on Jan 24, 2014 12:39:58 GMT
We have always bought our own lifejackets in our club, but have a friend who is a chandlar, so usually get a wee discount. There are a few 'club' ones, aka spares belonging to Babs, but due to the enormous variation is shape and size of rowers, I do think it has to be an individual choice? We tried Topher's new one at Loch Venachar, and while it was perfect on him, it was hopeless on most of our women, we still got the thumb massacre scenario? However I'm also resisting the dangly crotch strap, wore one while on the Reaper, but not for me...........
|
|
|
Post by Shona M on Jan 24, 2014 14:01:32 GMT
I agree with Elsie, also tried Topher's but found it a bit restrictive. Also sure it was the Kru Pro Sport 175N I saw (which Sean links to above) down at Bosun's Locker in Port Edgar but it was really heavy so didn't even try it on. I believe there are a couple of manufacturers who do "short adult" versions but have yet to find one and see the difference in size/length. Definitely an individual choice though.
|
|
|
Post by margaret on Jan 24, 2014 14:09:18 GMT
Thanks everyone for your comments. They are really helpful and give us lots of info to investigate further. Alan, the jackets you have at Achiltibuie we have found not to be suitable for our Club use (though I have a personal one and find it comfortable). With over 100 members and outings almost every day (multiple sessions on several days), all our equipment takes a bashing and that particular collar style and strap webbing didn't hold together for us. I think you are right there is probably not 'one size to fit all' and it's great to hear others' experiences.
Sean, we tried the Kru waistcoat style at the RNLI demo and they looked smart and a good few people tried them on. I think there were a few reservations about a 'zip and sand' combination. How long before the zip got clogged? The Glasgow rowing club looks like a version of the same Kru model. The both take the 38g canister and are around £80-95 each.
Gareth, I'm interested to hear that you give a 1-2 year lifespan to your jackets. In that case it is probably not worth paying too much plus save on the cost of annual servicing if replaced in 12 months? As Sean said, we were finding the auto models kept going off when they got wet, which was quite often given that we launch from the beach/surf!
Elsie, we have talked about people buying their own lifejackets and that is an option, some people do have their own. Given the numbers who pass through the Club we need to maintain a supply of Club jackets.
Ian thanks for the links and tips.
Great responses folks - keep 'em coming! Thanks, Margaret
|
|
|
Post by Doogal on Feb 4, 2014 11:54:40 GMT
Here in Australia in surf boats we use a vest with foam inserts. You can read more here - www.surfvest.com
|
|
|
Post by margaret on Feb 10, 2014 15:34:52 GMT
G'day Doogal! Great to hear from down under. The surf vests look great. We wear several layers on top - and that's just the summer! I suppose the nearest to the surfvest that we use are buoyancy aids, though even in our cooler climate people say they get too hot for rowing. Thanks for the comments.
|
|