PFD - URGENTLY NEED TO KNOW AND FIND OUT
 

What are the type and what are the floatation hours for each type...

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go to this site http://www.uscgboating.org/
LD
"seanny_boy" wrote in message
...
What are the type and what are the floatation hours for each type...

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Have look through the website as you have suggested. The website did
stated the type but does not have the required floatation hours for
each type.

cheers



"LD2" wrote:
go to this site http://www.uscgboating.org/
LD
"seanny_boy" wrote in message
...
What are the type and what are the floatation hours for each
type...

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seanny_boy wrote:

Have look through the website as you have suggested. The website did
stated the type but does not have the required floatation hours for
each type.


Just curious...

Exactly what do you mean with "required floatation hours"?

First, in the more than 20 years I've been working with different kind
of rescue equipment, I have never seen any PFD or similar equipment with
specified flotation hours.
Basically, there are two main types of PFD's:
a) Rigid (non-inflatable) PFD's using some kind of flotation foam,
e.g. Airex(R) or similar.
b) Inflatable PFD's using CO2 cartridges.
Rigid PFD's may keep a person afloat for virtually unlimited time as
long as the PFD itself is not damaged in any way, while inflatable PFD's
may keep a person afloat as long as the PFD is inflated, i.e. not
leaking, not punctured etc.

Second, no PFD will guarantee survival even if "flotation hours" were
specified.
Basically, the two most common reasons for not surviving a boating
accident is drowning and hypothermia. A PFD is designed to keep a
person afloat to prevent drowning, but is generally NOT designed to
prevent hypothermia (which require survival suits or similar equipment).
Dependent on water temperature and other factors, hypothermia may in
worst case occure after only a few minutes, and it's therefore almost
impossible to specify a "survival time" when using a PFD.



Stig Arne Bye

(rescue and safety instructor)

E-mail ......:
Contact .....: AOL IM: VT480TFE / MSN: / ICQ: 403349
Snail-Mail ..: P.O.Box 169, NO-9915 Kirkenes, Norway
Homepage ....: http://home.online.no/~stigbye/index.html
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Located just about 70°N 30°E - Almost at the top of the world!

On Mon, 03 Jan 2005 21:30:23 +0100, Stig Arne Bye
wrote:

seanny_boy wrote:

Have look through the website as you have suggested. The website did
stated the type but does not have the required floatation hours for
each type.


Just curious...

Exactly what do you mean with "required floatation hours"?

First, in the more than 20 years I've been working with different kind
of rescue equipment, I have never seen any PFD or similar equipment with
specified flotation hours.
Basically, there are two main types of PFD's:
a) Rigid (non-inflatable) PFD's using some kind of flotation foam,
e.g. Airex(R) or similar.
b) Inflatable PFD's using CO2 cartridges.
Rigid PFD's may keep a person afloat for virtually unlimited time as
long as the PFD itself is not damaged in any way, while inflatable PFD's
may keep a person afloat as long as the PFD is inflated, i.e. not
leaking, not punctured etc.

Second, no PFD will guarantee survival even if "flotation hours" were
specified.
Basically, the two most common reasons for not surviving a boating
accident is drowning and hypothermia. A PFD is designed to keep a
person afloat to prevent drowning, but is generally NOT designed to
prevent hypothermia (which require survival suits or similar equipment).
Dependent on water temperature and other factors, hypothermia may in
worst case occure after only a few minutes, and it's therefore almost
impossible to specify a "survival time" when using a PFD.

The Code of Federal Regulations (160.052-7) specifies a test in which
the inserts of any foam cored PFD must be submerged for a minimum of
24 hours in which they must maintain buoyancy.

So, in a sense, they are guaranteed for 24 hours.

Later,

Tom

On Mon, 03 Jan 2005 21:30:23 +0100, Stig Arne Bye wrote:

seanny_boy wrote:

Have look through the website as you have suggested. The website did
stated the type but does not have the required floatation hours for
each type.


Just curious...

Exactly what do you mean with "required floatation hours"?


What *I* don't understand is whay it's "URGENT". I have visions of someone
bobbing around the Atantic, frantically typing a msg to find how how long
he can float...

I'd probably use my time/communications a bit differently, but you never
know...

Lloyd

On Mon, 03 Jan 2005 15:51:11 -0800, Lloyd Sumpter
wrote:

On Mon, 03 Jan 2005 21:30:23 +0100, Stig Arne Bye wrote:

seanny_boy wrote:

Have look through the website as you have suggested. The website did
stated the type but does not have the required floatation hours for
each type.

Just curious...

Exactly what do you mean with "required floatation hours"?

What *I* don't understand is whay it's "URGENT". I have visions of someone
bobbing around the Atantic, frantically typing a msg to find how how long
he can float...

I'd probably use my time/communications a bit differently, but you never
know...

He tied 100 together and is sitting on them while the sharks are
circling.

That would be pretty urgent in my book.

The new PFDs with the dense cell foam will probably float forever. I have found
old type 4s stuck in the mangroves that may have been there for years and they
still float fine, the cover and straps will fail long before the foam
waterlogs.
I think the whole idea of "floatation hours" dates from the days when these
things were stuffed with Kapok.

On 04 Jan 2005 03:04:25 GMT, (Greg) wrote:

The new PFDs with the dense cell foam will probably float forever. I have found
old type 4s stuck in the mangroves that may have been there for years and they
still float fine, the cover and straps will fail long before the foam
waterlogs.
I think the whole idea of "floatation hours" dates from the days when these
things were stuffed with Kapok.

I did a little more digging and it would appear that the only
"requirement" is the original testing by the manufacturer. And that's
a 24 hour test.

It would appear that the only limitation is the failure of the jacket
itself.

I've never heard of any "flotation hours" rating. If they're in good proper
condition a person will die of other causes before the PFD sinks.
LD

"seanny_boy" wrote in message
...
Have look through the website as you have suggested. The website did
stated the type but does not have the required floatation hours for
each type.

cheers



"LD2" wrote:
go to this site http://www.uscgboating.org/
LD
"seanny_boy" wrote in message
...
What are the type and what are the floatation hours for each
type...

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