[ApS]

Originally Posted by VtSteve

It's always different for them isn't it? ...There are lots of scenarios, as there are with any boat on the water.

More so, among sailors.

1) Below, "the tramp" referred to is the language of sailing catamarans: "Turned-turtle" means a slow, but total upside-down overturning following the initial capsize.

"...The wind pressed against the vinyl coated tramp just like it was a sail and we were all instantly beneath the tramp with the Hobie turned turtle. This took no more than 10 seconds to occur.

"Alex had his PFD on and was trapped against the tramp. I grabbed him and pulled him out..."
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/seaman...ailing-39.html

2) I have nothing against inflatable PFDs: popular elsewhere for years, they only achieved Coast Guard approval in 1996. That approval was conditional.

Inflatable PFDs were viewed as "scrimping on ultimate safety" in favor of comfort. It continues to be too easy to load an exhausted cartridge into one's inflatable PFD.

Some advise checking Inflatables very year:

"Please come to the pool event on Sat nite of the convention. Bring your vest and jump in with it. You will be surprised on many will not function from corroded valves, etc. You should test them every year."
http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=285441

3) Now that I've read the Coast Guard's Inflatable conditional approval, I think I'll stick with my old-fashioned vest!