I would be interested in your opinion on this vest.
http://www.stayaliveinc.com/index.php

thanks

You have flashlight but no strobe. All this space that 3 flares are using could have been replaced by 6 or 8 pen flares with room to spare but I'm not sure how would that agree with Coast Guard laws. I think this vest is designed for the first few days/hours in the water. After that due to lack of water (drinking water <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ), food and FAK you will be history. That 45 feet of rope looks like a laundry line.

Also I love when they say: single size fit's all: UNIVERSAL. If you ever had to jump into the water in the vest that is one size too big you know how it feels. You need a snug fit vest so your movements are not restricted and vest is not ripped off you when you wall in. Also loose fitting vest has tendencies to snag on things. They claim four straps adjustment. My vest has 6 straps for perfect fit and I still had to choose general size that fits my body contour.

Since I don't see how the leg straps are positioned on this vest but if it looks anything like a parachute harness you are putting unnecessary pressure on femoral artery. Combine that with universal fit (too big or too small (my bet is too big)) and your body weight is pulling your down when straps are holding you up. Can you say circulation restriction and hypothermia? Same goes for your arms. If you are sliding out of the vest you will use your arm pits to hold in place. Again you are cutting off circulation but this time to your arms.

Seems a bit pricy. My kayaking vest which was about $60 has 3 large pockets. Even if I went out and bought top of the line supplies I would still be below their $200 asking price. But if you want to standardize equipment or don't find particular joy in putting things together than I guess it's the way to go. This vest reminds me of those cheap rip off survival knives. Seems like there is a lot of stuff but in reality there is not that much.

It seems that instructions (if those are instructions) to use equipment are printed on the part of the vest that is submerged. Nice. I also assume that they are printed from top to bottom so even if you manage to see the letters you will be trying to read upside down.

I would replace the flares and put in pen ones. I would add the strobe (water activated one). I would loose the cloth line and replace it with real rope and carabineer. Add a smoke signal and water marker. Set of energy pills and space blanket if you actually make it into the raft.

Matt

Having BTDT in an abandon ship situation, I have to side with Matt on this one – one size fits all means it won’t fit anyone well, and there are few things more painful or awkward in the water than a lifejacket that is either 1) Floating up around your ears, or 2) Cutting off all circulation below your hips.

From a practical standpoint, I have issues with the BULK of something like that, especially on a sailboat, where there are lots and lots and lots of things to get hung up on, snag, get tangled with, etc. All in all I think the concept is nice, but I question the real utility of toting all of that stuff around when you are on deck (no where does it say how much this thing weighs) and also the effectiveness of trying to meet all of the myriad of USCG requirements with one single item.

I've been in email contact with the owner. Please remember this is a first generation attempt by someone who is also making a living. Doug and my seperate efforts to market viable but cost effective PSKs was a real education. Hopefully we will be able to field test one. Feedback from the field is what prompts improvements. I've BTDT also, and from the end thats supposed to be professional <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. Throwing on a vintage Kapok lifejacket, survival belt and knife while wolfing down a ham sandwich from an interuppted 3 P.M. breakfast you tried to start @ 6A.M. and flying out to the boats makes the concept very appealing <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I completely agree with you that the concept is a good one - and a good first attempt to solve the problem of not having what you need on you if you unexpectedly or have to hurriedly go over the side. I’m just concerned that the weight and bulk issue would discourage people from wearing this maxi-PFD, which would defeat the entire purpose.

This same item was addressed in Popular Science (or Mechanics) about 20 years ago. It was based on a foul weather coat and contained a plethora of survival equipment. To the best of my memory it had a single person raft, EPIRB, flares, smoke, signal mirror, etc as well as rations and (I think) a small hand powered desalinator or solar still. The vest had either built in floatation or an inflatable system.

On the subject though, what would you want on your person if you go over? Start of a (too inclusive) list below. What would be the bare min? Feel free to add or subtract.

Flares
Whistle
Mirror
Smoke
Dye
Water activated PLB or EPIRB
Strobe
Flashlight
Tether with carabiner
Drouge
Rescue knife

This is heavy on the signal end to support rescue. How to combat hypothermia, dehydration?

Doug's written a great article here. Scroll down to life vest. It was designed for wear in an aircraft, so it wouldn't be completely suitable but it might give you some ideas.

Well, first off, I wouldn't go over the side permanently because I would have my safety harness on. This is from my sailing days, so not sure how it applies to motorboats in this day and age. If you were on deck for any reason at night, you had to wear your PFD, to which were clipped a whistle and lifejacket light, in addition to your safety harness. I always had a good knife strapped to my person as well. You have to strike a balance between having nothing at all and being so overloaded that you can’t do your job and you become a menace to yourself and others. My gut instinct, without ever having worn this product, is that it is far into the “overloaded” category as something you would want to wear for hours on end.

While I agree that preventing going over the side is the best avenue, there will be times where it is unavoidable. Broken tethers, not clipped in, abandon ship situation. etc.. Sailors are better indoctrinated on the use of safety harnesses, powerboaters are less so. I happen to own a power boat at the present moment and have no clip in points if I have to go on the foredeck. But this could also apply to dinghy sailors, sea kayakers, divers on charter boats. It is possible to get sufficiently far from shore that return is not possible (offshore breeze, high surf, currents (rip or otherwise)).

In that light, alert and locate equipment seems to be the priority. Flares (pen or mini), strobe, mirror, and whistle all would take up a sufficiently small volume and weight. A rescue streamer may be of use. When venturing offshore, one of the new personal EPIRBs or PLBs may be a viable suppliment, especially if the boat is equipped with a Radio Direction Finder (~$1000 USD).

Again, you have to wear it (have it) for it to be usefull, and the commercial version seems too bulky to promote continuous wear. Doug's answer using the Switlik vest seems better, but again may be too much for some users. A class IV (inflatable) with belt pouch may be more attractive to many, even if it does not provide any thermal insulation.

Does anyone know if any studies on the use of the equivalent of space bags (blankets) has ever been done for in water hypothermia prevention through the reduction in convective heat loss?

thanks for the replies. I agree it is the first attempt at a good idea. What non-inflatable life jackets have decent pockets?