Re: PFDs

My wife's Sospenders auto-inflatable inflated in the rain. Nuisance! We have the built-in safety harness version, which I think is a good idea. I have heard that the airlines will not allow these (armed) aboard flights, but have no first-hand experience. Anybody? I kinda like the vest/jacket type of PFD, since they provide a little padding from seatbacks, etc. They really should have a crotch strap, they can float around your ears otherwise. Peter "Bribon" Cal 39

Beth and I tried to take ours to Tahiti with us for our Moorings charter and the airline took the cartridges from us even though the pfd was unarmed. The dumbasses (Air Tahiti Nui) use the same cartridge for their own life preservers. Needless to say it cost us a little bit when we got back. :-( Mike C. Peter Audet wrote: > > My wife's Sospenders auto-inflatable inflated in the rain. Nuisance! > We have the built-in safety harness version, which I think is a good > idea. I have heard that the airlines will not allow these (armed) > aboard flights, but have no first-hand experience. Anybody? I kinda > like the vest/jacket type of PFD, since they provide a little padding > from seatbacks, etc. They really should have a crotch strap, they can > float around your ears otherwise. > Peter > "Bribon" Cal 39 >

C. Peter Audet wrote: > > My wife's Sospenders auto-inflatable inflated in the rain. Nuisance! > We have the built-in safety harness version, which I think is a good > idea. I have heard that the airlines will not allow these (armed) > aboard flights, but have no first-hand experience. Anybody? I kinda > like the vest/jacket type of PFD, since they provide a little padding > from seatbacks, etc. They really should have a crotch strap, they can > float around your ears otherwise. I think PFDs are like Lifeslings--you should try 'em out before an emergency arises. Two boat groups I volunteer with used to hold a joint in-the-pool safety event. That's where I found out how hard it can be to climb into even a dinghy with very little freeboard, if it lacks handholds to grab onto and pull up with. And that was in a warm, comfy, calm pool. This was one lesson that got me to wearing a PFD more often when sailing. The things that you assume to be easy can be surprisingly hard in actual practice. If I can't climb into a little dinghy, what chance would I ever have of climbing back up onto my sailboat? (Note to self: work on a rope ladder to trail overboard when sailing this summer!) How your PFD fits you can be another surprise. My kayak one lacks a crotch strap but does have a strap that cinches at the bottom, under my ribcage, and seems to prevent it from riding up while floating (haven't been in the water with it for a while). Chris Campbell

Mike wrote: > > Beth and I tried to take ours to Tahiti with us for our Moorings charter > and the airline took the cartridges from us even though the pfd was > unarmed. > On our last go-round on this subject, wasn't it our conclusion that you should ship the cartridges ahead so they are there to greet you when you arrive? It's like the concept of taking a little carry-on bag with a change of clothes on the plane, and shipping the rest of your luggage ahead so (a) it can't be lost and (b) you aren't accused of terrorism for carrying shampoo. Of course, those who observe my hairdo (or lack thereof) might wonder why I'd be carrying shampoo anyway, but that's another subject. Chris Campbell

on our recent trip to Florida, we confirmed that the security folks say its OK to take them on board an airplane, but each airline is allowed to say yea or nea. Delta? nea. found a neighbor lady at eh airport to hold them for us 'til we returned otherwise thay would have been discarded. Reggie To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.comFrom: cl… [at] charterinternet.comDate: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:28:45 -0400Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Re: PFDs Mike wrote: Beth and I tried to take ours to Tahiti with us for our Moorings charter and the airline took the cartridges from us even though the pfd was unarmed. On our last go-round on this subject, wasn't it our conclusion that you should ship the cartridges ahead so they are there to greet you when you arrive? It's like the concept of taking a little carry-on bag with a change of clothes on the plane, and shipping the rest of your luggage ahead so (a) it can't be lost and (b) you aren't accused of terrorism for carrying shampoo. Of course, those who observe my hairdo (or lack thereof) might wonder why I'd be carrying shampoo anyway, but that's another subject.Chris Campbell

several summers ago, 5 of us were swimming from our T2 on a warm summer evening at anchor. calm water and virtuallu windless. Rope ladder with plastic steps deployed before we all jumped in. You all know the type? None of us could climb it back into the boat. I suggest not counting on this type unless you have tried it and found it useable. Part of the problem was hanging the ladder off the side of the boat and the hull curvature. You end up swinging under the boat. And toes and hands get pinched against the hull. Reggie To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.comFrom: cl… [at] charterinternet.comDate: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:22:42 -0400Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Re: PFDs C. Peter Audet wrote: My wife's Sospenders auto-inflatable inflated in the rain. Nuisance! We have the built-in safety harness version, which I think is a good idea. I have heard that the airlines will not allow these (armed) aboard flights, but have no first-hand experience. Anybody? I kinda like the vest/jacket type of PFD, since they provide a little padding from seatbacks, etc. They really should have a crotch strap, they can float around your ears otherwise.I think PFDs are like Lifeslings--you should try 'em out before an emergency arises. Two boat groups I volunteer with used to hold a joint in-the-pool safety event. That's where I found out how hard it can be to climb into even a dinghy with very little freeboard, if it lacks handholds to grab onto and pull up with. And that was in a warm, comfy, calm pool. This was one lesson that got me to wearing a PFD more often when sailing. The things that you assume to be easy can be surprisingly hard in actual practice. If I can't climb into a little dinghy, what chance would I ever have of climbing back up onto my sailboat? (Note to self: work on a rope ladder to trail overboard when sailing this summer!)How your PFD fits you can be another surprise. My kayak one lacks a crotch strap but does have a strap that cinches at the bottom, under my ribcage, and seems to prevent it from riding up while floating (haven't been in the water with it for a while). Chris Campbell

integral harness is best. crotch strap whould be mandatory. jmho. Reggie To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.comFrom: cp… [at] sympatico.caDate: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:52:38 -0400Subject: [Cal_Boats] Re: PFDs My wife's Sospenders auto-inflatable inflated in the rain. Nuisance! We have the built-in safety harness version, which I think is a good idea. I have heard that the airlines will not allow these (armed) aboard flights, but have no first-hand experience. Anybody? I kinda like the vest/jacket type of PFD, since they provide a little padding from seatbacks, etc. They really should have a crotch strap, they can float around your ears otherwise. Peter "Bribon" Cal 39

Very familiar, Reg. The ropers are useless (especially if there is no one aboard to help haul you up). Makes for an interesting question on haw a solo sailor gets back in the boat. Cheers Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of r good Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 5:39 PM To: ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [Cal_Boats] Re: PFDs several summers ago, 5 of us were swimming from our T2 on a warm summer evening at anchor. calm water and virtuallu windless. Rope ladder with plastic steps deployed before we all jumped in. You all know the type? None of us could climb it back into the boat. I suggest not counting on this type unless you have tried it and found it useable. Part of the problem was hanging the ladder off the side of the boat and the hull curvature. You end up swinging under the boat. And toes and hands get pinched against the hull. Reggie To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com From: cl… [at] charterinternet.com Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:22:42 -0400 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Re: PFDs C. Peter Audet wrote: My wife's Sospenders auto-inflatable inflated in the rain. Nuisance! We have the built-in safety harness version, which I think is a good idea. I have heard that the airlines will not allow these (armed) aboard flights, but have no first-hand experience. Anybody? I kinda like the vest/jacket type of PFD, since they provide a little padding from seatbacks, etc. They really should have a crotch strap, they can float around your ears otherwise. I think PFDs are like Lifeslings--you should try 'em out before an emergency arises. Two boat groups I volunteer with used to hold a joint in-the-pool safety event. That's where I found out how hard it can be to climb into even a dinghy with very little freeboard, if it lacks handholds to grab onto and pull up with. And that was in a warm, comfy, calm pool. This was one lesson that got me to wearing a PFD more often when sailing. The things that you assume to be easy can be surprisingly hard in actual practice. If I can't climb into a little dinghy, what chance would I ever have of climbing back up onto my sailboat? (Note to self: work on a rope ladder to trail overboard when sailing this summer!) How your PFD fits you can be another surprise. My kayak one lacks a crotch strap but does have a strap that cinches at the bottom, under my ribcage, and seems to prevent it from riding up while floating (haven't been in the water with it for a while). Chris Campbell