Help..Floatation gear question

[paulagc 0]

I'm setting up water jumps at my dz. I'd like to buy some floatation gear and make it available to my jumpers, but I need some advice on what type works best/is the easiest. We'll be jumping into a medium-sized lake with many boats available.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[andy2 0]

on a related topic, I have to ask to clarify this, do you mean flotation devices that you put around the person like a jacket, etc, to keep them afloat? Or do you mean something you can toss to the person if theyre sinking? I think the former would be kind of silly, as it would not be true simulation anymore, but just floating in a pond with gear on. If you want the latter, check out anyplace that supplies equipment for kayakers, they sell these neat little floating bags that have like 50+ feet of rope coiled in it, designed to throw the bag, and have the rope uncoil while in midair. They're great, you can also remove the floatation so it will sink and reach people underwater.

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let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[nacmacfeegle 0]

I think the guy is asking about personal floatation devices, ones you would wear if you knew you were about to go into water for say a demo.
We used to have to use 'Aquabouy' devices at a one of my regular DZs. I actually opened one up once for shits and giggles, and afte a very quick bit of math I decided it might just save my rig. But it was legal.
DON'T get an aquabouy.

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[skybytch 273]

Quote

DON'T get an aquabouy.

AFAIK Aquabouy's are no longer available in the US.

Square One carries a serious piece of floatation gear. Made by Stearns (a marine supplier), it's a waist belt with a pouch; looks kind of like military floatation gear. It's worn over the jumpsuit and under the harness. When you activate it a full sized floatation vest inflates. It's expensive, but it's reusable (recharge cartridges are available) and it might actually save a life if it's needed.

[nacmacfeegle 0]

I suspect you are right Lisa, a quick google shows no results.
Them things you are talking about sound more like something one might use, as opposed to wear to comply with a rule. The aquabouy 'float' was about the size of a crisp (chip?) packet!

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[paulagc 0]

Thanks for some of the suggestions so far. What I mean is something for the person to wear. What I'd like is something that is inflated, or can be inflated, while wearing a harness. We will have boats to pick up the jumpers, but if it takes longer than expected, I would like for them to be able to use their floatation device, without having to take off their gear and risk loosing anything. This is going to be intentional water jumps. I'd also like them to be reusable, and preferable not terribly expensive, since I'd like to supply them. But, this may be asking too much.

Thanks again for any input.

[ERICCONNELLY 0]

Check with local marine supply places. There are a whole variety of pull to inflate type vests that could easily be worn under a rig.
All that I know of use a CO2 cartridge.

Here's one example from stearns (maybe the same one that SQ1 has)
http://www.smith-root.com/store/6382.php

[councilman24 37]

go here http://www.chiefaircraft.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=serve&item=/Aircraft/Aircraft.html and search on flotation.

Chief Aircraft single chamber inflatable (oral or CO2) life vest. $35 versus $55 from para gear. Sew up your own pouch or buy cheap $5 fanny packs. Watch out for the hazardous shipping charge. I've wore these uninflated under the rig on intentional water jumps. Release the chest strap and inflate orally if needed. These have the advantage of oral inflation versus the previous example that only uses the CO2 cartridge. Not to mention cheaper.
Terry

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[jumpgod 0]

we use a simple waist mounted inflation device. you clip in around your waist below your harness and if things go bad, you follow the procedures and pop the inflatable. they are relatively cheap and simple. this would be my recommendation.

[TheMonkey 0]

ParaGear - under Accessories & Extras - Flotation Equipment

Square1

Edit: ParaGear link

also check HERE, these vests are used by bass fishermen, uscg approved typeIII at half price of paragear

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Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!

[chronistin 0]

Maybe you should ask swedish jumpers. I heard they are required to wear some emergency west if jumping within a ten-kilometre-radius of a large body of water, and since there is a lot of water there, they should have experience with those things...

gree'z
chronistin

Chronistin
(Home @ http://www.fallschirmspringer.net/)

[skydivejersey 0]

We have to have them in Jersey because our DZ is a beach. We use the buddi-buoys. They are reasonably cheap and you strap them round your wrist. I get them direct from the manufacturer. His name is Mike Hodges. More details on his website www.george.co.za/buddibuoy

Alun.

[nacmacfeegle 0]

Hey Alun, how did the Boogie go, a roaring success I hope.
Yep these look similar to the Aquabouys, but with a different float. I'd be surprised if these kept a rig afloat, let alone a rig with a jumper attached. But they do comply with the wording of the rules, if not the spirit.

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[skydivejersey 0]

Hi!
We're had 2 boogies now and are going for our third in July! Been using the LET that's normally stationed at Peter lee. Next dates are 7th-11th July (we're restricted to mid week due to the amount of airtraffic about). The Let will be coming down if you fancy a free ride!

I would have thought the buddi buoys will give you enough to hold onto until help arrives! Like having a boat fender to hold onto.. should be enough. But like you said..enough to comply with the law!!

[airtwardo 7]

I've done dozens of water jumps...so what is worth here is what I found works best.

Don't even consider one of those little wrist buoys for an 'intentional' water jump, they're more of a 'just in case last resort' kind of thing.

Waist belts are better, but can flip you up at an awkward angle, butt up and face down. Especially with gear on.

Horse Collar inflatable types are best.
( airlines give then away free if you're quick )
Worn over the jumpsuit, under the gear.
( If it's an intentional water jump...do you really need a jumpsuit? )
I use a couple of strips of common clear tape to hold the inflation handle down...keeps it clear of snags, and curls up and falls off as soon as it gets wet.

Make certain all rig handles are accessible and clear.
...Once the parachute is open, I completely undo my chest strap and wrap the long end around the main lift web...well out of the way.
Do not inflate the vest under a tight harness unless it's and absolute emergency...
It will expand against the harness, pushing into your ribcage, restricting your lungs.
It's also hard to undo the chest strap after the inflated vest even further tightens a now wet harness.

If I will be in the water for anything over a minute....like if the boat is busy with someone else, or too far away.
I will immediately upon hitting the water, push my arms through the front of the harness and cross my legs. This lets the rig sit behind you, still attached by the leg straps...keeping your hands and arms free to flail about.

If you're in the water long enough for the rig to saturate and start to sink, having your feet crossed will keep the thing with you.
If for some reason you find yourself with a sinking container...you need to get it off your body. I found myself in that situation once and shed everything, holding onto the pilotchute bridle to keep the mess with me until I was recovered. If things would have deteriorated from there, simply opening my hand would have sent it all to the bottom...an expensive loss to be sure, but by then survival priorities arise.

What ever you choose to use, do practice everything a bunch on dry ground.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~