Sad event at race to mackinac

skennelly

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-boater-missing-20180721-story.html

What's scary is they said he was wearing an inflatable vest that didn't inflate.  Wife and I wear inflatables all the time.

It was a small craft advisory 7 to 8 foot waves...but these sailors are hardcore

Black_Diamond

Dang. 5 miles from the START too. Not clear if he was wearing a manual inflate type or not; most likely unless you get the newer ones that need hydrostatic pressure to inflate. Not clipped onto the boat either. Big mistake. 

skennelly

Agreed...doesn't make sense they said he was a seasoned sailor with a decade of experience

randy56

Interesting a slight breeze of 15 mph wind creates 6 fter's . I've never had any experience with inflatables can't you test them?  

skennelly

Yep...north wind travels all the way down the lake.

Willhound

randy56 said:.

Interesting a slight breeze of 15 mph wind creates 6 fter's . I've never had any experience with inflatables can't you test them?  

Only by popping them.....which them means buying a re-arming cartridge and trigger cap.
I've owned several but made sure they were all also automatic. The manual pull cord ones don't do you any good if you hit your head or get a snoot full of water and panic. I admit i don't always wear it as much as I should in my 270 but generally do if alone and particularly if I have to climb up on the deck or out on the swim platform.

Willhound

randy56 said:.

Interesting a slight breeze of 15 mph wind creates 6 fter's . I've never had any experience with inflatables can't you test them?  

Only by popping them.....which them means buying a re-arming cartridge and trigger cap.
I've owned several but made sure they were all also automatic. The manual pull cord ones don't do you any good if you hit your head or get a snoot full of water and panic. I admit i don't always wear it as much as I should in my 270 but generally do if alone and particularly if I have to climb up on the deck or out on the swim platform.

Black_Diamond

The ‘normal’ automatic ones can/will activate by getting wet (rain/splash). Ones like the Mustang HIT models require submersion in water to inflate (4”) so better for wet conditions. 

That guy should have had a lanyard and clipped onto the boat. Big error. 

dalek

I believe you can check the integrity of the CO2 cylinder by weighing it. The minimum weight is usually stamped on it. When you take the cylinder off, you may be able to blow the PFD up with your mouth, to check for leaks.

Willhound

dalek said:

I believe you can check the integrity of the CO2 cylinder by weighing it. The minimum weight is usually stamped on it. When you take the cylinder off, you may be able to blow the PFD up with your mouth, to check for leaks.

I'll agree with the second part. But the first part....I know on my Mustangs the cylinder gets pierced when installed and the gas is held in by the dissolving trigger cap. If you unscrew it the gas will escape and it's finished.

randy56

so if you pull the trigger, (that is the test) and then you can get another cartridge. or do they come with extra's. 

Willhound

Usually no extra. Widely available for between $20 to $30. Many, like mine, have a small inspection window that shows green signifying the unit has pressure. Red means it has been popped or leaked.

Willhound

Usually no extra. Widely available for between $20 to $30. Many, like mine, have a small inspection window that shows green signifying the unit has pressure. Red means it has been popped or leaked.