rescue
- Thread starter starcrafttom
- Start date
Joe, there is a luxury yacht down here in San Diego skippered by the owner of a very well known and long established strip joint. Periodically he takes the girls out for a "three hour tour" and before 9/11 the girls were known to "flash" the subs at Point Loma as they headed to sea.
I can guarantee every periscope in the harbor would be on high power as they passed.
(sigh) those were the days.
Occasionally they would flash the charter boats picking up bait at the bait receiver and you could hear the fishermen roar for at least a mile.
Back to the amazing rescue thread
Don
I can guarantee every periscope in the harbor would be on high power as they passed.
(sigh) those were the days.
Occasionally they would flash the charter boats picking up bait at the bait receiver and you could hear the fishermen roar for at least a mile.
Back to the amazing rescue thread
Don
Concur, a great job. BUT, along with several other over-the-hill skippers (no finger pointing! Y'all recognize wrinkles in the mirror), I wondered what I could have done in the same circumstances. Would I have headed for the scene and searched, of course. But NO WAY could this old has-been hoist a 200 pound water-soaked guy over the fantail.
I really want to be prepared, so talked to kid Les. He suggested I buy a Lifesling 2, 5:1 hoist that can be fastened to a cabin top or side - or most any place where you could hoist a person aboard. He sez even a weakling like Dad could do it.
Joe? DaveS? you knowledgeable guys got comments? This is basically sailboat type equipment, I'm told -- and don't have a clue. I'd sure appreciate comment from tnose who have used one of these gadgets.
Dusty
I really want to be prepared, so talked to kid Les. He suggested I buy a Lifesling 2, 5:1 hoist that can be fastened to a cabin top or side - or most any place where you could hoist a person aboard. He sez even a weakling like Dad could do it.
Joe? DaveS? you knowledgeable guys got comments? This is basically sailboat type equipment, I'm told -- and don't have a clue. I'd sure appreciate comment from tnose who have used one of these gadgets.
Dusty
On a related note, this incident convinced me to drop some more $'s in self inflating life vests. I bought a great Mustang floatation coat at the Seattle boat show that keeps me quite warm in our 40 degree whether and has built in flotation. However, I probably can't wear that in the warmer summer days except for the early AM fishing. The reality is that my life vests aren't always on and that should change.
For those who have them, what choices did you make and why? I understand the benefit of having one that self inflates on contact with water as I could easily get knocked out falling out of the boat. However, I also understand that the filling cartridges on these occasionally release in high humidty and need more frequent maintenance. Also, there's a variety of brands and prices but all seem to be in the $130-250 range with most between $150 and $200. Comments/advice?
As an aside Dusty, I see a note for the Lifesling2 system that say "Note: This USCG-approved Lifesling2 is suitable for powerboats with a lifting point 10' above the water, and sailboats over 20' LOA." I assume that's because you really need a high life point to get the person up high enough to swing them in.
For those who have them, what choices did you make and why? I understand the benefit of having one that self inflates on contact with water as I could easily get knocked out falling out of the boat. However, I also understand that the filling cartridges on these occasionally release in high humidty and need more frequent maintenance. Also, there's a variety of brands and prices but all seem to be in the $130-250 range with most between $150 and $200. Comments/advice?
As an aside Dusty, I see a note for the Lifesling2 system that say "Note: This USCG-approved Lifesling2 is suitable for powerboats with a lifting point 10' above the water, and sailboats over 20' LOA." I assume that's because you really need a high life point to get the person up high enough to swing them in.
starcrafttom
Active member
dusty just hook them in to the crap pot puller and toss them on deck.
seadna we have the self inflating ones, got them as a wedding present from my grand mother. They work real good and you forget your wearing them. i have worn mine home twice. You have to replace the bobbins before they disolve and fire off the co2 . the bobbins are 3 for 12. bucks and the co2 is 10 boucks each.
seadna we have the self inflating ones, got them as a wedding present from my grand mother. They work real good and you forget your wearing them. i have worn mine home twice. You have to replace the bobbins before they disolve and fire off the co2 . the bobbins are 3 for 12. bucks and the co2 is 10 boucks each.
Tom and crew,
Congratulations! We're very pleased that all went well and that everyone is safe. Having been out there when it's downright ugly (and you come home with sea grass attached to the stainless rails on the top of your boat), we can only say that we're most grateful to hear all the good news!
Tom, you will have to admit that Susan does have a good reason to have at least eight towels on board
Never know when you might need them.
Tomorrow night the subject at our CG Aux Boating Skills and Seamanship class will be "HANDLING YOUR BOAT". An excellent time to mention the experience that involved the Susan E this past weekend.
Ruth and Joe
R-Matey
Congratulations! We're very pleased that all went well and that everyone is safe. Having been out there when it's downright ugly (and you come home with sea grass attached to the stainless rails on the top of your boat), we can only say that we're most grateful to hear all the good news!
Tom, you will have to admit that Susan does have a good reason to have at least eight towels on board
Never know when you might need them.Tomorrow night the subject at our CG Aux Boating Skills and Seamanship class will be "HANDLING YOUR BOAT". An excellent time to mention the experience that involved the Susan E this past weekend.
Ruth and Joe
R-Matey
rogerbum":3nj48gyg said:
We have the Stearns Search and Rescue life jacket, that has the SOLAS reflection tape and several pockets. We normally have four of them on board. (One for each of us and one extra in case we "fish someone out of the water"). Each of them are equipped with strobe lights, signal mirrors and whistles. I wear mine practically all of the time while underway (summer time included ... but I'm not in Florida either). My "crew" normally don't wear theirs....(My feeling is that if we have "problems", I'll be too busy rectifying the problem, but hopefully they'll have time to don theirs).
Comfortable? No, to most folks....but I really don't notice it, but then I'm used to having an air bottle on my back in a fire and don't even think about it being there.
Looks "dorky"....yep, probably.... :crook
Dusty-
There have actually been four models of the Lifesling.
The early ones were simply a "U" shaped flexible sling/float attached to a floating polyprophylene line to be thrown overboard to the errant crewmember.
The Lifesling 2 is fitted with a 5 to 1 block and tackle system that does indeed require a 10 foot high attachment point to allow one to use the system.
On sailboats, this can be a halyard from the mast, an attachment on the backstay, or even the boom on a really large vessel.
On a powerboat, the atttachment point would have to be a davit, a point tht high on the cabin, a working sail mast, or some place similar.
On our C-Dorys, no such place generally exists, so we'll have to go back to the Lifesling 1 model and then install a marlin door, unless your crab pot puller can hoist 250+ lbs high enough to clear the victum over the gunnel.
Joe.
There have actually been four models of the Lifesling.
The early ones were simply a "U" shaped flexible sling/float attached to a floating polyprophylene line to be thrown overboard to the errant crewmember.
The Lifesling 2 is fitted with a 5 to 1 block and tackle system that does indeed require a 10 foot high attachment point to allow one to use the system.
On sailboats, this can be a halyard from the mast, an attachment on the backstay, or even the boom on a really large vessel.
On a powerboat, the atttachment point would have to be a davit, a point tht high on the cabin, a working sail mast, or some place similar.
On our C-Dorys, no such place generally exists, so we'll have to go back to the Lifesling 1 model and then install a marlin door, unless your crab pot puller can hoist 250+ lbs high enough to clear the victum over the gunnel.
Joe.
Cutty Sark
New member
I too have been looking at some inflatable PFD's, after this whole episode. I fished neah bay last year in big swells and chop and didn't even think to put on a PFD. This year will be different. I am liking the ones made by Cabelas, they look comfortable, have all the bells and whistles, and are reasonably priced. I think the really good ones are only $150 a pop, and they have some for less with all the features, they just don't look quite as comfy. Might want to check those out.
Sark
Sark
I too would have a hard time picking a large person out of the water. Here are a few things that I have thought about reading through this thread.
The Lifesling 5-1 hoisting tackle for powerboats would work well I think if the boat had a swimstep and room to pull a person over the transom. I would think that the carabiner could be attached to the roof rail and the victim could be pulled over the swimstep, transom and into the cockpit. They may do a face plant upon entry, but small matter at this point. Even with a davit, you are not going to get the person up high enough to easily swing them aboard. The lifesling, plus the length of the blocks looks to be 1 to 2 feet. The majority of the victims weight is going to have to be dead lifted over the side of the boat.
Another thing that I have thought about is what type of clothing to wear when boating here in Puget Sound. Because I kayak all year round, I am very aware of an unexpected cold water bath. I never wear cotton clothing when kayaking or when I am out in my CD in the winter. Here is a good link that talks about what kind of clothing works best at keeping in body heat when wet. http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/watercraft/safetips/dresscold.htm Polartec fabric is my first choice.
I wear a inflatable life vest most of the time when I am out in the CD, but I will switch over to my kayak PFD if things get a bit rough. I feel the kayak PFD, which is very comfortable for me (I am used to wearing it all day while kayaking) adds more cold water protection, is easier for someone to grab and pull me back aboard, and is less obstuctive in the water. The down side is that is has less buoyancy than the inflatable. I think that if things got really bad, I would put the inflatable on over the kayak PFD.
Another thought that has been at the back of my mind since I bought the boat is the wisdom of having a drift anchor aboard in case of loss of power in heavy water. I would really appriciate any input about this subject.
Tom and you crew, you did a great job. I hope if I ever get into trouble on the water you are close by. The experience that you went through has made many of us stop and think about what we would do in a similar situation, how we can make our boating safer, what safety equipment to have on board, and I think a big issue-hypothermia. This is a subject that is essential that we all stay up to date on. Even in 70 degree water, it can be a killer. I am going to do some reading today and do some refresh work on the subject, especially, how to treat the victim of cold water immersion. And, I am also going to go buy a waterproof handheld VHF.
Robbi
The Lifesling 5-1 hoisting tackle for powerboats would work well I think if the boat had a swimstep and room to pull a person over the transom. I would think that the carabiner could be attached to the roof rail and the victim could be pulled over the swimstep, transom and into the cockpit. They may do a face plant upon entry, but small matter at this point. Even with a davit, you are not going to get the person up high enough to easily swing them aboard. The lifesling, plus the length of the blocks looks to be 1 to 2 feet. The majority of the victims weight is going to have to be dead lifted over the side of the boat.
Another thing that I have thought about is what type of clothing to wear when boating here in Puget Sound. Because I kayak all year round, I am very aware of an unexpected cold water bath. I never wear cotton clothing when kayaking or when I am out in my CD in the winter. Here is a good link that talks about what kind of clothing works best at keeping in body heat when wet. http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/watercraft/safetips/dresscold.htm Polartec fabric is my first choice.
I wear a inflatable life vest most of the time when I am out in the CD, but I will switch over to my kayak PFD if things get a bit rough. I feel the kayak PFD, which is very comfortable for me (I am used to wearing it all day while kayaking) adds more cold water protection, is easier for someone to grab and pull me back aboard, and is less obstuctive in the water. The down side is that is has less buoyancy than the inflatable. I think that if things got really bad, I would put the inflatable on over the kayak PFD.
Another thought that has been at the back of my mind since I bought the boat is the wisdom of having a drift anchor aboard in case of loss of power in heavy water. I would really appriciate any input about this subject.
Tom and you crew, you did a great job. I hope if I ever get into trouble on the water you are close by. The experience that you went through has made many of us stop and think about what we would do in a similar situation, how we can make our boating safer, what safety equipment to have on board, and I think a big issue-hypothermia. This is a subject that is essential that we all stay up to date on. Even in 70 degree water, it can be a killer. I am going to do some reading today and do some refresh work on the subject, especially, how to treat the victim of cold water immersion. And, I am also going to go buy a waterproof handheld VHF.
Robbi
I did a little research on self-inflating life vests and settled on getting automatic ones. I looked at several brands - mustang and stearns in particular. I found a nice one at West Marine (Stearns re-branded as West Marine) - the 4000 Offshore Power Inflatable PFD– Automatic/Manual, No Harness. This is an automatic vest with an option for converting to manual operation only and a pocket to store a back-up cartridge (it comes with one). They're on sale right now online for $119.99 ($80 less than the normal $199.99 price). They weren't on sale in the regular store on Mercer in Seattle but they gave me the on-line price. That saved me the shipping and now I have 3 of these for SeaDNA. They seem fairly comfortable and won't interfere with fishing etc. With these, we will have a new rule - vests on at all times while underway.
Roger
Roger
Cutty Sark
New member
Nice find, looks to be pretty nice. How does it feel? Pretty Comfy? One of the reasons I like the cabelas ones, is they have a neoprence neck guard to stop chafe, I figure if your going to actually wear it it needs to comfortable, but maybe I'll head top west marine and check some of those out too. The price is good.
Sark
Edit - here is the one that I liked.
They have alot of the same features but I don't think they have the manual blow up tube. But they look real comfy. Probaly try one of each.
Link edited by Da Nag
Sark
Edit - here is the one that I liked.
They have alot of the same features but I don't think they have the manual blow up tube. But they look real comfy. Probaly try one of each.
Link edited by Da Nag
starcrafttom
Active member
Did you watch the video?? really good. I have had mine go off and its really fast. i like the new ones with the wider strap then what I have. Also everyone should carry a folding clip knife on your pfd, what every brand you get. Susan and i are getting stope lights and whistles to every vest too.
Sark,
It's fairly comfy - I tried one on before I bought. It doesn't have the nice neoprene collar of the Cabella model but the collar is clipped back to the vertical strap on the back with a snap so I didn't get any annoying rub. Of course, I'm not a bug burly, large-necked guy so your mileage may vary. Other than that, they both have similar features including manual operation if needed with the blow tubes - you can see them on the Cabela's one in the video.
Roger
It's fairly comfy - I tried one on before I bought. It doesn't have the nice neoprene collar of the Cabella model but the collar is clipped back to the vertical strap on the back with a snap so I didn't get any annoying rub. Of course, I'm not a bug burly, large-necked guy so your mileage may vary. Other than that, they both have similar features including manual operation if needed with the blow tubes - you can see them on the Cabela's one in the video.
Roger
starcrafttom":1oicbm91 said:
Forgot about that.....I've got a fixed (ie: non-folding), knife secured on my pfd as well. It is a short knife that we use on our vests in swift water rescue. (The blade is serrated and the point is blunted and since it is fixed you can easily pull it loose from its' sheath and it's easily ready for use with one hand).
Dave-
The Coast Guard folks use that same type of knife.
They have a net vest which is worn over a Mustang work suit with built in flotation.
The vest contains:
whistle, strobe., knife, mirror, rocket flare, dye marker, and a seventh item I can't quite remember.....
mmmmmmm........? Shark repellent? Quick energy bar? Small flask of brandy? Lottery ticket? C-Brat membership card? Something to help you survive or want to survive, anyway!
Joe.
The Coast Guard folks use that same type of knife.
They have a net vest which is worn over a Mustang work suit with built in flotation.
The vest contains:
whistle, strobe., knife, mirror, rocket flare, dye marker, and a seventh item I can't quite remember.....
mmmmmmm........? Shark repellent? Quick energy bar? Small flask of brandy? Lottery ticket? C-Brat membership card? Something to help you survive or want to survive, anyway!
Joe.
dogon dory
New member
Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author
If you are in the water, chances are it is rough so why would you want a vest that is grey, brown, green or darker blues. I would want a vest as bright as possible, yellow, bright red, orange or even bright blue. Why make it harder for someone to see you.
Do inflatable vest expose bright colors when inflated?
Do inflatable vest expose bright colors when inflated?
Dave,
As Jim said, the vests I bought (also the West Marine ones but made by Stearns) expose a bright yellow when inflated. To explain a bit more, each each "arm" of the vest has the blue fabric on one side and the bright yellow inflatable bladder on the other side. The arms as it is worn are folded in thirds like a letter so that the blue fabric is what shows when its not inflated. When it inflates, the "letter fold" opens up so that all the blue fabric is against your body and the yellow is exposed. Both sides (blue and yellow) also have the highly reflective Solas tape.
Roger
(edited to correct horrible grammar and spelling of the first post)
As Jim said, the vests I bought (also the West Marine ones but made by Stearns) expose a bright yellow when inflated. To explain a bit more, each each "arm" of the vest has the blue fabric on one side and the bright yellow inflatable bladder on the other side. The arms as it is worn are folded in thirds like a letter so that the blue fabric is what shows when its not inflated. When it inflates, the "letter fold" opens up so that all the blue fabric is against your body and the yellow is exposed. Both sides (blue and yellow) also have the highly reflective Solas tape.
Roger
(edited to correct horrible grammar and spelling of the first post)