Buoyancy aids under dry-suits etc
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Banter
Forum Discription: For all those non-sailing related discussions
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3699
Printed Date: 19 Aug 25 at 3:09am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Buoyancy aids under dry-suits etc
Posted By: Webmuppet
Subject: Buoyancy aids under dry-suits etc
Date 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 ? Cheers, Nigel ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Replies:
Posted By: alstorer
Date 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... |
Posted By: Chris Bridges
Date 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.. ------------- 49er GBR735 (for sale) - Rutland SC |
Posted By: JimC
Date 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:-) |
Posted By: Chris Bridges
Date 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. ------------- 49er GBR735 (for sale) - Rutland SC |
Posted By: Chris Bridges
Date 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.. ------------- 49er GBR735 (for sale) - Rutland SC |
Posted By: ratface
Date Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 3:50pm
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 ------------- http://www.blym.org.uk/ - BLYM http://www.blym.org.uk/hydrs/index.htm - Hertfordshire Sailing team Uk-Cherub 2644 Laser 4000 -4089 |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date 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 ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 6:07pm
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! ------------- |
Posted By: stuarthop
Date 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. ------------- |
Posted By: tmoore
Date Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 9:24pm
|
RE harnesses, isnt it 'illegal' to use a non quick releasing harness now? that being in the sense that events should not allow them. or does this only apply to RYA teaching etc? ------------- Landlocked in Africa RS300 - 410 Firefly F517 - Nutshell Micro Magic RC yacht - Eclipse |
Posted By: Stuart O
Date Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 9:28pm
| My understanding that it is still LEGAL to wear a non-quick release harness. Although they tried to bring in the rule it got dropped. |
Posted By: tmoore
Date Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 9:32pm
|
well even if its not a requirement, what would be bad about wearing a QR trap herness with rashie over and then BA over that. this way you can release the harness and all buckles etc are covered. and you can get the BA of if needs be. ------------- Landlocked in Africa RS300 - 410 Firefly F517 - Nutshell Micro Magic RC yacht - Eclipse |
Posted By: MRJP BUZZ 585
Date Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 10:20pm
Sometimes the ba gets caught on stuff, i do wear a rashie over my ba but i also carry a knife so i can hopefully cut stuff free if ever needed ------------- Josh Preater http://www.bu22.co.uk">  BUZZING IS FUN
|
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 10:25pm
For racing:
As to reality: there's an ISO standard due to be published in 2010. Chances are most QR systems around at the moment will fail to comply. Just, y'know, because. If something similar to 40.2 is in the 2009 rules, it'll likely make reference to the standard. |
Posted By: CurlyBen
Date Posted: 14 Dec 07 at 10:54pm
I think part of the problem was the rule didn't really define what a quick release harness is, when it counts as in use etc. The majority of entrapment incidents aren't caused by harness hooks anyway (if I remember the RYA data correctly). ------------- RS800 GBR848 Weston SC |
Posted By: Chris Bridges
Date Posted: 15 Dec 07 at 11:12am
I am the helm and its in an annoying place for the helm... less than half a metre from the back of the wing, half way into the wing as oppose to on the edge. Its best to go behind it and hook on, but the space is so small you get caught on it  ------------- 49er GBR735 (for sale) - Rutland SC |
Posted By: redback
Date Posted: 15 Dec 07 at 10:18pm
Having been involved in an entrapment by getting a control line wound around a buckle, I now keep my silloette as clean as possible. Hence bouyancy aid under a top and harness the outer most layer.
|