![\"\"](\"\/publish\/temp\/apfd01.jpg\" "\\"apfd01\\"")
<\/p>\nBrandy & Matt:<\/p>\n
I want to share an experience with you that you might want to pass along to other Tradewinds skippers and members.<\/p>\n
In 2007, I bought an inflatable PFD because I was going offshore to help a friend move his Morgan 45 from Colon, Panama to Cartagena, Colombia.\u00a0 I had been using a Type III vest while day-sailing on the Bay, but I upgraded to a Mustang automatic inflatable PFD.\u00a0 Happily, over the past 5 years that I’ve been wearing my Mustang PFD, I’ve never had to rely on it.\u00a0 But I’ve always wondered — would it really work in an emergency?\u00a0 About a month ago, I happened to check the pull-date on the CO2 cartridge and realized that it was woefully out-of-date.\u00a0 I went to the local West Marine and bought the replacement kit.\u00a0 But still I wondered…<\/p>\n
Yesterday evening, along with my sailing buddy Mike D., we tested our automatic PFDs in our backyard pool.\u00a0 I’m happy to report that they worked!<\/p>\n
Photo #1 is “the jump” from the side of the pool.\u00a0 We wore t-shirts and swim shorts because that’s probably what we’ll be wearing when we go sailing in the BVI this fall.\u00a0 We wanted the test situation to be sort of realistic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo #2 is the initial inflation.\u00a0 I’m happy to report that it took only 2-3 seconds before I found myself in a rapidly inflating PFD.\u00a0 You’ll notice that the right sides of both my PFD and Mike’s PFD are inflating first.\u00a0 The inflating noise was surprisingly loud, as was the ripping sound of the velcro seams opening.\u00a0 It all happened very fast — and that’s a good thing!<\/p>\n
\u00a0![\"\"](\"\/publish\/temp\/apfd2.jpg\" "\\"apfd2\\"")
<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By photo #3 you can see that our PFDs are fully inflated.\u00a0 There was a lot of buoyancy, especially neck support.\u00a0 That’s very reassuring.\u00a0 Our noses and mouths were well above water level.<\/p>\n
\u00a0![\"\"](\"\/publish\/temp\/apfd3.jpg\" "\\"apfd3\\"")
<\/p>\n
We quickly found the orange whistles that are permanently attached to the PFDs.\u00a0 Also, I figured out how to turn on the strobe light pretty easily.\u00a0 Mike discovered that he had never put batteries inside his strobe.\u00a0 Oops…<\/p>\n
What are the lessons that we learned and want to pass along to other Tradewinds skippers?<\/p>\n
* DATES. Check the expiration dates on your PFD cartridges!\u00a0 The pamphlet says to replace the CO2 cartridges every three years. (Note: This can vary by manufacturer & model)<\/p>\n
* REPLACEMENTS. Buy a back-up kit.\u00a0 If your PFD inflates while sailing (or in an emergency), you’ll want to rearm your PFD as soon as you’re back on board.\u00a0 Keep the extra kit in your sailing bag.<\/p>\n
* EQUIPMENT.\u00a0 Inspect your unfolded PFD — find the manual pull tab, find (and use) the mouthpiece for re-inflating the PFD, test your strobe light.\u00a0 Get comfortable with your equipment!<\/p>\n
* STROBE.\u00a0 Put batteries in your PFD’s strobe light!\u00a0 As they say, “batteries not included…”\u00a0 Probably put fresh batteries in your strobe light when you replace the CO2 cartridge.<\/p>\n
* TRY IT. It was VERY reassuring to experience the PFD inflating so fast.\u00a0 I hope that I never end up in the cold water of the Bay, but if I do then I know that my neck and head will be above the waterline within seconds.<\/p>\n
Best wishes! \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 – Peter D.<\/p>\n
Brandy and Matt,<\/p>\n
I would like to add one thing to Peter’s note….my pfd was a bit loose (the way I normally wear it for comfort!)…when it inflated, it pulled away from body a bit, so it actually forced my chin up and my head back. It was secure, but I think I had less mobility in my head\/neck than Peter….picture 3 shows this if you look closely….<\/p>\n
It was a good safety exercise….and a rush!\u00a0 (Safety first, fun second!)<\/p>\n
Thanks,<\/p>\n
Mike D<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Brandy & Matt: I want to share an experience with you that you might want to pass along to other Tradewinds skippers and members. In 2007, I bought an inflatable PFD because I was going offshore to help a friend … Continue reading