Where can I get an immersion suit?
The Original Whirly
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Where can I get an immersion suit?
After reading about the miniscule amount of time you'd survive after a ditching in UK coastal waters, and with plans to fly to the Highlands and Islands in the summer, I've decided to get an immersion suit. A liferaft in a C152 would mean we'd have to cut down too drastically on fuel (so says my co-pilot; I haven't worked it out). Plus actually getting a liferaft out of a high wing aircraft, which will probably sink up to the wings, could be horrendous. And you couldn't get one into a R22, and yes, I do fly whirly things over water occasionally. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> . .. .So, a life jacket and immersion suit, to hopefully keep you alive and floating till the emergency services get to you, seems a reasonable compromise. But where can get one? The flying catalogues don't seem to have any. Does anyone know, and the approximate cost?
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If the PFA Rally at Cranfield isn't cancelled again this year, there is usually a company selling immersion suits there for about 100 gbp. I'm expecting to buy a couple myself. If you need one before, or are not going to Cranfield, I have the company info and phone number at home and could look it out. From memory I think they are called S.E.M.S. ?
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Yes - SEMS in Basildon, Essex. Just down the road from me! I don't have their phone number cos I just pop in. They offer reconditioned ones at good prices - brand new are quite expensive.
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Bond helicopters in Aberdeen sell off used offshore immersion suits, the sort they use when flying to the rigs. Get some nice comfortable goretex types, so you don't sweat too badly, and you can move around ok.
SEMS is at:. .South Eastern Marine Services Ltd. .Units 13/25 Olympic Business Centre. .Paycocke Road. .Basildon. .Essex SS14 3EX. .Tel: 01268 534427. .Fax: 01268 281009. .. .Other sources:. .Typhoon International Ltd. .Mortlake Court. .28 Sheen Lane. .East Sheen. .London SW14 8LW. .. .Multifabs Ltd. .Osmaston Works. .Osmaston Road. .Derby. .Derbyshire DE23 8LF. .Tel: 01332 292121. .Fax: 01332 291143. .. .I've got a Multifabs one in a tasteful orange. I was lucky - it was given FOC for an expedition. Expensive otherwise.. .. .Bill
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Whirly,. .. .Had to wear one in a previous life and couldn't find one to fit - I'm the same height as you are. It was like wearing a big, very uncomfortable orange babygro - the crotch dangled around my knees and the "feet" didn't fit my feet, or into my ladies size footwear - not to mention the yard of excess "leg". The hood didn't zip neatly up to my chin, but over my forehead and I could have fitted another three people inside. Try to find a child/youth size.. .. .GW
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Bertie,. .. .I believe SEMS also hire the suits out, and will knock off the cost of the hire from the price if you subsequently decide to buy.. .. .<a href="http://www.andark.com/" target="_blank">Andark</a> in Southampton also sell immersion suits. They'll also organise ditching courses in their own on-site pool and simulator as well. Did one last year, very good value. . .. .WF.
The Original Whirly
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Thanks people. Isn't PPRuNe wonderful; I knew someone would have an answer. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> The annoying thing is, I used to have one, used it for winter windsurfing way back in another life. Sold it when I gave up windsurfing, and before I started flying. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> It fitted me too. Hmm...come to think of it, maybe I should try a windsurfing shop.
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As AC-DC says think of a dry suit. I am not sure exactly how they differ from an immersion suit but I suspect they are far more comfortable. There is a good range designed specifically for sailing and available from most chandlery shops. I suspect they are easier to get in / out of and there are even breathable ones available. Their warmth is a factor of the clothing worn underneath. With a few layers they work well even in very cold water. . .. .I would be interested if anyone knows precisely the differences between an immersion suit and a dry suit having used the latter but not the former.. .. .I am not sure about your comments regarding the weight of a life raft. 4 man self inflating rafts are available which weigh around 8 lbs.
The Original Whirly
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Love to Tinny, but I'm not sure if we'll be able to get up to Shetland. Do you ever fly to the Hebrides though?. . . . <small>[ 17 March 2002, 21:49: Message edited by: Whirlybird ]</small>
Difference between dry suit and immersion suit? . .. .Don't know but an immersion suit usually has the following features:. .. .Diagonal zip to allow ease of entry (yeah right). .. .Tight rubber gaiters at neck and wrists. .. .Feet which (should) fit into ordinary footwear. .. .Suit designed to be worn over normal clothing. .. .Whistle and light for attracting the attention of sailors (???). .. .No bouyancy aids and all air must be expelled from the suit before finally zipping up. Otherwise your legs end up on the surface with your head well below it!. .. .A pal of mine who is 6ft tall and weighs around 25 stone is at the checkin in North Deans to fly offshore for a day visit. Goes to counter where they hand out the suits. Issueing chap doesn't look up just ticks name off list and asks the standard question "Large?". My friend replies "Don't be f***ing funny pal". Chap looks up and proceeds to nearly wet himself cos he's laughing so much. We thought they were going to have to zip 2 suits together for my pal. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
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The rigs places usually hire them out. Bonds at Blackpool hire them for a £5. Always go for 'large' if given a choice - as they aint very.. .. .You have to put the hood up, do the zip up to your chin and put the mits on to be fully waterproof - which can be a bit tricky when your in the midst of an autorotation in a Robbo. . .. .p.s. you also get mistaken for Spiderman at kids parties ... not that that's ever happened to me...ahem.... . . . <small>[ 21 March 2002, 15:37: Message edited by: Rotor Horn ]</small>
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As you will be going round the Highland area, you could call into Wick (EGPC). Far North Aviation will be able to rent you an immersion suit and / or a life raft. Andrew Bruce is the man to speak to, very helpful and friendly. Also Wick is not a bad town to spend a day or two. . .. .Enjoy your trip.
