Immersion suits for sailing

[Michael Rogers]

Seeing this thread on the 'front page' again, I had a rather strange Rip-van-Winkel moment. This is because, for reasons I won't go into but related to moving house, we have been off line for about 5 weeks, with no other access to the internet. I'm just catching up, and it's been a bit disorientating. Then I see something I wrote 7 years ago on the forum - and quickly checked that we are indeed now in 2015. Weird! Anyway, it's nice to be 'back', and I have to accept that the internet is now such an integral part of how we live that, like virtually everyone else, I've come to depend on it. Hrrrumph.

With regard to Peter T's contribution and something I wrote in 2009, for 'life jacket' read buoyancy aid, which I've always worn and frankly prefer - just a personal thing. During my Durdle Door 'experience' last summer my buoyancy aid was just the job, and I wouldn't have wanted to have been wearing something which tried to turn me on my back.

I have to say that I haven't worn my Fladen suit for some time. However "Cavatina' is now kept at Studland, Dorset, on an annual, not season only, boat park berth. This makes out-of-season sailing a real possibility, for which the Fladen outfit will be eminently suit-able.

Michael

[Julian Swindell]

Michael's post does make me think. I wear an automatic life jacket, sometimes. I am a very bad person and don't wear one all the time, with life lines holding me in and survival suits on as well. It seems to take the pleasure out of what I regard as a low risk recreational activity (I'll probably drown next time out in punishment for saying that). When I do wear the jacket, I often wonder if a dinghy buoyancy aid might not be more suitable. If I did fall in, and the jacket inflated, it would make it hellishly difficult to get back to the boat and back on board. And if I did get back on board, then what do I do? Sit there in the inflated thing, or take it off and have no buoyancy at all? I think an aid might be better. What I don't like about them is the amount of space they take up when you are trying to stow them on board.

[Graham W]

This is what Sail Caledonia says about buoyancy aids and lifejackets (Appendix B of the Safety Instructions):
"Buoyancy aids or lifejackets with whistle are to be provided for each of the crew. These should be worn on open water or when in canal locks. Buoyancy aids are preferred as they give assistance to the user in the event of capsize. Lifejackets that have no integral buoyancy are not ideal as they either provide no assistance or, if inflated, hamper the user in recovery of the boat. Automatically inflating lifejackets are not suitable as they hamper the user in the event of capsize."

There are buoyancy aids that look like the sort of gilet you would wear when huntin', shootin' and fishin'.  As recommended by Roger Barnes, President of the Dinghy Cruising Association http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Baltic-Surf-and-Turf-Trend-50N-Buoyant-Gilet-Size-Large-Colour-Navy-Black-/320960742864?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

[maxr]

For the budget conscious, or just plain stingy like me, Decathlon do the Tribord 50N buoyancy gilet for £39.99:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/izeber-m-life-vest-black-id_8309128.html

Sizing is small, so I'd suggest getting a bigger one than you think you need, or visiting one of their stores if you're close enough (check they have them first - these appear to go in and out of stock). They have crotch straps, are windproof and warm, and also reduce the incidence of dents and bruises at the boat to person interface.

[Michael Rogers]

I can vouch for the quality and value-for-money of the Decathlon Tribord range. I kitted out with them after finishing my first kit build in 2003, and all their stuff is still going strong. Elsewhere you'll pay at least twice as much for similar quality and a posh brand name.

[David Hudson]

I don't know the combined time "Swallowers" have spent in the water. It is probably not as much as we have all spent as  dinghy sailors.

Shock, diminishing physical function and eventual hypothermia are probably our major concerns.

As a windsurfer, I have everything from a 3mm shortie (cute) wetsuit to a full drysuit. The number of times I have seen RIB's going out in the summer on a settled forecast, with crews wearing dry suits.

Currently I have a set of mid layer salopettes, which I suppose, are the modern equivalent of the 1970's woolly bear suit.

I don't know what the elfs from safety say. (ha ha play on words).

[David Hudson]

I spotted this on my travels...

Ocean Rodeo HEAT Drysuit

http://www.board-worx.com/wetsuits.html?manufacturer=97

[Peter Taylor]

I spotted this on my travels...

Ocean Rodeo HEAT Drysuit

http://www.board-worx.com/wetsuits.html?manufacturer=97

It looks an interesting option, here's a gif I found on the web which explains how it works!

[Michael Rogers]

An interesting option, but the price.......!! My Fladen suit cost me £70 and will, if it comes to it, protect me from hypothermia for (relatively) ages. I'm content.