Life jackets

[dodger]

I see a lot of peaople tie life jackets with a bow, which will undo, I insist on my crew tying with a knot a bit more of a pain to undo but much safer 

[Capt. Hook]

The correct way to don a life jacket is as follows (According to Solas chapter III):
First tie the top straps with a reef knot.
Then tie the straps around your waist, also with a reef knot
When jumping into the water from a height (life jackets are rated for 4.5m) there is always a risk of the life jacket coming loose, this is very dangerous because it can break your neck, or even leave you flaoting face down in the water.
Correctly tied your life jacket should turn you right way up oin any conditions within 5 seconds .
When jumping you should have one hand over your nose diagonally across and the other diagonally over that arm and holding onto the life jacket.

[dodger]

Absolutely right Mike

[FritzAbu]

Interesting post . A friend of mine was on a boat many years ago that flipped in the Heads at Knysna .


When he got caught in the draft next to the cliffs . The life jacket could not keep him afloat ,but it at least turned him the right side up . When he was pulled under the water by the draft. Then he could just make it to the top for another breath of fresh air. before he went down again .


Just show that its very important that it be a good knot !!!