offshore safety (life vests and kill switches)
#1
offshore safety (life vests and kill switches)
All of this stuff at key west puts a lot in check for me...again safety first! Looking for first hand knowledge on racing life jackets. I know Tiger carries a lot. Best place to look? Brand, style (switlik, lifeline)? Any help? Also what brand, type kill switches are used in the race boats. Thanks.
#2
Registered
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lifeline jackets are top notch. The newer ones are less bulky than the older style. If you are at a race, ask one on the teams if you can try one on or check it out. All jackets must be race approved and recertified every few years. Lifeline.com maybe a shot. I would be more than glad to let someone try mine if the came and asked me.
#3
Registered
Over the past few days we've lost three really fine people in Offshore racing accidents in Key West. While we mourn their loss, I can't help but believe these tragedies might have been preventable. Racing always involves a risk, yet over the years, groups like UIM and APBA with the insight of Bob Wartinger, Ron Jones Sr, Jeff Neff, George Linder, Dave Vilwock, Mike Hanson, Scott Raney, Rich Luhrs... and others, we've developed safety standards in at least the Unlimited Hydroplane category that have been tested thru well over 100 accidents over 150 MPH. My crash in July was a direct T bone at over 100 MPH and both Dave Vilwock and I walked away. J.W Meyers hit the wall at Detroit at over 100 MPH and receievd a broken foot, and is back racing with us. These designs work. They are snug, with a top hatch and a bottom hatch. there is little room for extremity acceleration in a crash, we have HANS devices to protect our necks, full time air, multiple point harnesses, etc. The canopies used in Offshore racing face different loads and in my opinion, after 40 years of racing, aren't sufficient to meet the current speeds. They are too large, too much flat surface, and not enough structural support. We can do better, there are people in place that can make it better. As we mourn Bob, Jeff and Joey, let their deaths put a new emphasis on consolidating the safety expertise that is available and doing everything humanly possible to prevent future tragedies. Saying "it's just racing" or they "died doing what they loved" just doesn't cut it. I was with Joey Gratton and his kids in San Diego just 7 weeks ago, they didn't come any more professional, any more loving, any more of being the best at what he did. God, please take care of Joey and hold his family in your palm.
Our Canopies since 2010 are mandatory and snug in UIM 3C, somewhat like the Unlimited Hydros and their record speaks for themselves so it definitely is a worthwhile place to take advice from, for the future of the sport.
Take notice that I'm not stating these precautions would've saved anyone in KW as I do not know the details but I do not see these measures as anything but positive actions to make our sport safer. Anyone can use them even today without being forced to do so.
#5
Back in 2009 I was personally stumped at the fact that The Victory Team didn't use full air masks, full face helmets with Hans- aid but only equipment familiar in the lower UIM 3C outboard class. I've contemplated on the idea personally to Hans and full air become mandatory even in the UIM 3B/C classes especially after we lost a dear friend and fellow racer, Ian Stirling, the summer of 2010 at the 3C Europeans running an open boat despite him wanting to get into a canopied boat. During the winter 2010 we talked a lot about the safety issues with him as we both felt the risks was getting questionable for even the organizers of our beloved sport.
Our Canopies since 2010 are mandatory and snug in UIM 3C, somewhat like the Unlimited Hydros and their record speaks for themselves so it definitely is a worthwhile place to take advice from, for the future of the sport.
Take notice that I'm not stating these precautions would've saved anyone in KW as I do not know the details but I do not see these measures as anything but positive actions to make our sport safer. Anyone can use them even today without being forced to do so.
Our Canopies since 2010 are mandatory and snug in UIM 3C, somewhat like the Unlimited Hydros and their record speaks for themselves so it definitely is a worthwhile place to take advice from, for the future of the sport.
Take notice that I'm not stating these precautions would've saved anyone in KW as I do not know the details but I do not see these measures as anything but positive actions to make our sport safer. Anyone can use them even today without being forced to do so.
Like everybody is saying I think there is room for improvements and its needed.
__________________
.
The Only Time You Have To Much Ammo Is When Your Swimming Or On Fire.
.
The Only Time You Have To Much Ammo Is When Your Swimming Or On Fire.
#6
Registered
Personnaly, I don't like the "auotomatic" jackets, like lifeline and alike. Yeaah.. they are cooler looking, lighter. etc. but when I'm running and hitting some serious wakes, rough seas and something might happen; ejection, role, or watever, I want ALL THE protection on my chest as possible.
I prefer the full jacket type. I had some pretty nasty spils on water while doing some fast slalom skiing and the full vests always helped. Just MHO.
I prefer the full jacket type. I had some pretty nasty spils on water while doing some fast slalom skiing and the full vests always helped. Just MHO.
#7
Registered
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Then you have to think about your head. Do I use a helmet or not? How safe do you want to be.................
#8
Registered
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Englewood, OH
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As far as the automatic vests go, the hydrostatic Mustangs only inflate if submerged more than 4 inches in water- eliminating the chances of inflation due to getting splashed. Comfortable added protection and we wear them religiously while underway.
Back to the original poster question, I think he's looking for a top of the line high speed vest, not the auto inflates.
Back to the original poster question, I think he's looking for a top of the line high speed vest, not the auto inflates.
#9
As far as the automatic vests go, the hydrostatic Mustangs only inflate if submerged more than 4 inches in water- eliminating the chances of inflation due to getting splashed. Comfortable added protection and we wear them religiously while underway.
Back to the original poster question, I think he's looking for a top of the line high speed vest, not the auto inflates.
Back to the original poster question, I think he's looking for a top of the line high speed vest, not the auto inflates.
#10
I almost always have a jacket on in my little tunnel. If a Lifeline isnt in the budget, Mustang Survival makes a nice 100mp rated CG certified vest. I have two. They are comfortable and have neck support to keep your head above water. It does not have leg straps though.
http://www.bluewaterperformancegear....00-_p_247.html
http://www.bluewaterperformancegear....00-_p_247.html