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Buoyancy aids under dry-suits etc
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Webmuppet View Drop Down
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    Posted: 13 Dec 07 at 9:21pm
Hi everyone,

There seems to be a current trend to wear a buoyancy aid under, rather than over, a dry-suit or spray-top. I can understand people who wear trapeze harnesses wearing a rashy over the top of their B.A. to reduce the chances of snagging up etc. So what are the advantages (or disadvantages) of wearing one under other sailing gear... and is there a safety implication ? 

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Posts: 2899 		Post Options Post Options   Quote alstorer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Dec 07 at 9:52pm
I've worn a spray top over my BA a fair bit, especially when crewing something cramped like a firefly, where it tends to caught on the boom/kicker.
But when teaching, I'd certainly insist (I think it is RYA guidelines) on BA being the top layer- two reasons:
1. A properly fitted BA is rather useful for pulling someone into a rescue boat
2. means that you can see they've got it on as per the rules (and means any inspectors can see you're complying!)

I suppose there's a slight entrapment issue (why skiff sailors don't like them) but I don't think this is a real issue on anything with a wingspan under 14ft...
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Posts: 699 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Chris Bridges Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 8:18am

I would wear an aero vest over one (rash vest with hole for hook) but never underneath anything else. Incase for some reason you have to take it off..

On skiffs they are a pain, but the statistics go that only about 1 in 10 entrapments are caused by BAs so I htink they do more good than not..
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 10:22am
Wearing the waterproof over the buoyancy hides the fact that my shoulders are no longer larger than my waistline:-)
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Posts: 699 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Chris Bridges Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 10:55am
I have tried not wearing an Aero vest for the 49er, its do able without one, never get bad life threatening snacks but it stops a capsize or too right getting straps of my trapeze harness/ BA caught on something an not gettign to the other wing on time! Still quite easy to slip off so i don't mind. Preference I guess, but I would advise heavily not to wear it over something that would be hard to get off, I.E a drysuit or a chunk spray top that is hard to get off.
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Posts: 699 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Chris Bridges Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 3:36pm
Haha yea I am trying to.. Or do you know that from the class forum? The only thign I get stuck on is shrouds if at the front of the boat or the trapeze loop actually sometimes gets caught on something.. The trapeze line for the helm is in quite possibly the most annoying place..
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Posts: 686 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ratface Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 3:50pm
Originally posted by Chris Bridges

The trapeze line for the helm is in quite possibly the most annoying place..


when will crews ever learn that boats were designed with the helm in mind and not the crew

on topic i always now wear a spray top or rashie  over my BA, unless im teaching


Edited by ratface
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Posts: 534 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Webmuppet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 3:56pm
Thanks everyone for your input, you pretty much confirm what I thought. I've always considered that the shoulder straps of a BA are just thing to grab if the rescue crew needs to pull you to safety. Most modern BAs are specifically designed to avoid snagging and as Alstorer says, you can be seen to be complying with the safety rules. Methinks that I shall continue to wear my BA as my topmost layer,

Cheers,

Nigel
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Posts: 2407 		Post Options Post Options   Quote radixon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 6:07pm
Originally posted by Webmuppet

Hi everyone,

There seems to be a current trend to wear a buoyancy aid under, rather than over, a dry-suit or spray-top. I can understand people who wear trapeze harnesses wearing a rashy over the top of their B.A. to reduce the chances of snagging up etc. So what are the advantages (or disadvantages) of wearing one under other sailing gear... and is there a safety implication ? 


I would never wear my BA under a Drysuit. Not only does it hamper things if you need to be pulled into a rescue boat but looks like you dont have one on. The issue with the Fashion Trend to this may continue down to Junior/Cadet level where things may be more crucial.

Also consider the fact that you need to do something, under your boat, but your BA is restricting you, you could remove it if necessary. If its under a rashvest, then thats still ok, cos you can get it off if needed.

so the moral really is, wear it where it can be seen, as the very top layer!  
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Posts: 1040 		Post Options Post Options   Quote stuarthop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 6:11pm

I wear mine over my steamer but under my trap harness so i can get the trap harness off asap if it all goes wrong, theres nothing to catch on my harness or BA anyway.

I have the opinion that wearing a rashie over the top of a harness makes it very hard to get it off if the hook of the harness gets caught.

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