Life Vest / Survival Gear Discussion...
Gatvol
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All good posts above as to equipment. I dont think you ever have enough if your stuck in the Big bathtub. Some things I was taught in selection that make sense, is that you may only have whats hanging on your body when the Aircraft meets the water. Raft and all that other stuff may go down to the bottom.....I always hang a bare minimum around my neck while flying (besides the vest) That is Mirror, Serrated Knife(Spyderco) and strobe. All the other stuff is great, but if your in a bind those are best for the first 24 hours. After that your in major trouble anyway....
Personally I would love to have a company supply me with a huge raft, all the other goodies such as Sat Phone w/GPS, Encoded EPRIB etc.... So I can yell come get my ass. In the Helicopter world I have worked most Companies dont have enough in the bank for the next spare parts.....
Plan your flight like your goin swimin and it will help. Good Luck out there.
Also forgot to mention. A couple bottles of drinkable water would be nice....
Personally I would love to have a company supply me with a huge raft, all the other goodies such as Sat Phone w/GPS, Encoded EPRIB etc.... So I can yell come get my ass. In the Helicopter world I have worked most Companies dont have enough in the bank for the next spare parts.....
Plan your flight like your goin swimin and it will help. Good Luck out there.
Also forgot to mention. A couple bottles of drinkable water would be nice....
Last edited by B Sousa; 16th Nov 2003 at 09:22.
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As promised...
I spoke with the folks at Garmin, and the following is an update concerning GPS compatibility with PLB's (using the NMEA 0183 optical standard). Also, charlie s charlie was correct about their waterproof standards. ALL Garmin products meet the same standards (including the eTrex).
Most Garmin GPS units are waterproof in accordance with IEC 529 IPX7. IEC 529 is a European system of test specification standards for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment. An IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. An IPX8 designation is for continuous underwater use.
That said, the technical representative from Garmin indicated that if there is an active current, running water, or if you are moving a GPS through water yourself (i.e. swimming across lake or stream), then water WILL get into the GPS and damage the unit in short order. So precautions must be taken.
Concerning the ability to upload coordinate information to a PLB (or other electronic device), ALL of their current products follow the NMEA 0183 optical standard. The older products that are discontinued do not have this feature; however, their newer products (including the eTrex) are capable of this data exchange.
If I decide to put a small GPS unit in the vest, I'll probably put it in the following waterproof bag...
It's called the "Voyageur Squawk-About Two-Way Radio Case" and was designed for cell phones. The neat thing about this submersible bag is that it has a cable connector built in, which keeps this a closed system. Therefore, all I would need to do is solder a male plug onto the PLB optical cable (the ends of the wires are bare and requires soldering anyway) and connect that to the plug on the exterior of this case. For the inside of the case, I would solder a Garmin data cable (shown below) with the appropriate connector.
It'll be a while before I receive all the basic components. Then, I can make a few more decisions on the final configuration of the vest (including wether or not to add GPS or pyrotechniques). When I finished, I'll upload some pictures of the final product.
Most Garmin GPS units are waterproof in accordance with IEC 529 IPX7. IEC 529 is a European system of test specification standards for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment. An IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. An IPX8 designation is for continuous underwater use.
That said, the technical representative from Garmin indicated that if there is an active current, running water, or if you are moving a GPS through water yourself (i.e. swimming across lake or stream), then water WILL get into the GPS and damage the unit in short order. So precautions must be taken.
Concerning the ability to upload coordinate information to a PLB (or other electronic device), ALL of their current products follow the NMEA 0183 optical standard. The older products that are discontinued do not have this feature; however, their newer products (including the eTrex) are capable of this data exchange.
If I decide to put a small GPS unit in the vest, I'll probably put it in the following waterproof bag...
It's called the "Voyageur Squawk-About Two-Way Radio Case" and was designed for cell phones. The neat thing about this submersible bag is that it has a cable connector built in, which keeps this a closed system. Therefore, all I would need to do is solder a male plug onto the PLB optical cable (the ends of the wires are bare and requires soldering anyway) and connect that to the plug on the exterior of this case. For the inside of the case, I would solder a Garmin data cable (shown below) with the appropriate connector.
It'll be a while before I receive all the basic components. Then, I can make a few more decisions on the final configuration of the vest (including wether or not to add GPS or pyrotechniques). When I finished, I'll upload some pictures of the final product.
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That Garmin cable is way too big and bulky. You can get a better cable, or just a connector, from Pfranc.
I bought the connectors, and made my own cable for use with my Garmin in my car, connected to my Palm running Mapopolis mapping software. With that I can get voice directions to any address. There are also European maps.
For use in this situation, a very thin cable with 3 conductors a couple of inches long is all you need, and is easily made. I would be worried about the connection on the outside of the bag, though - how do you keep water out of that? A little salt water, and your data is shorted out.
I bought the connectors, and made my own cable for use with my Garmin in my car, connected to my Palm running Mapopolis mapping software. With that I can get voice directions to any address. There are also European maps.
For use in this situation, a very thin cable with 3 conductors a couple of inches long is all you need, and is easily made. I would be worried about the connection on the outside of the bag, though - how do you keep water out of that? A little salt water, and your data is shorted out.
Rickster...if you are flying over the Chesapeake....skip all that gear....get a flower shirt, carry an extra set of flip flops, pack your Visa card....and stick a Sailing mag in your hip pocket.....for added insurance...get an inflatable girl friend and hide a pint bottle of Tequila somewhere.....then you got it made in the shade.
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I haven't been flying over water much lately (except once last week), so nothing new added. Funny, Sasless... funny! Nevertheless, I'll take flying over the yatchs coming out of Annapolis anytime... those scantily clad young'ins like to get the maximum sun exposure while on deck over the open water, if you know what I mean. Ooops, they didn't expect a helicopter to pop overhead! 
Bristow life vest
Hey guys
I'm trying to get more information on best life vests on the market. I need the info as i am trying to get our unit equiped with the best helicopter vest there is for our unit's future operations.
The only criteria about this vest is practical, safe, not in the way during work (border patrol, hoist work) and a life span of 3 years or more. I'm fresh in this kind of equipment, so i hope i didn't make a fool of myself with this "3 years of usage".
I heard that bristow helicopters use one of the best. Which one would that be? What type? Googling didn't help, so i am here, again, turning to you good men and women of helicopter world.
I have already tryed contacting Switlik, but I got no answer in more than a month.
Thank you all!
I'm trying to get more information on best life vests on the market. I need the info as i am trying to get our unit equiped with the best helicopter vest there is for our unit's future operations.
The only criteria about this vest is practical, safe, not in the way during work (border patrol, hoist work) and a life span of 3 years or more. I'm fresh in this kind of equipment, so i hope i didn't make a fool of myself with this "3 years of usage".
I heard that bristow helicopters use one of the best. Which one would that be? What type? Googling didn't help, so i am here, again, turning to you good men and women of helicopter world.
I have already tryed contacting Switlik, but I got no answer in more than a month.
Thank you all!
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See Equipped to Survive for reviews of aviation life vests. (www.equipped.org) I use the Switlik helicopter crew vest.
This is an Australian made vest I wore last year on the fires (life vests are mandatory for Helitak pilots dropping water)
Very comfortable to wear and plenty of pockets for food, chocolate, flares, chocolate, knife, chocolate, etc...
http://www.safetymarineaust.com.au/saver.html
Very comfortable to wear and plenty of pockets for food, chocolate, flares, chocolate, knife, chocolate, etc...
http://www.safetymarineaust.com.au/saver.html
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Thx
What I am looking for..
Have to say though.. (www.equipped.org)
looks really messy.. Hard to find what you are looking for..
Have to say though.. (www.equipped.org)
looks really messy.. Hard to find what you are looking for..
One thing Bristow always did right.....was to place a Rescue Sarbe radio in each Flight Crew Vest....and install homers on each helicopter. At least you felt like some one had a means to come find you while you were a bobbin' in the oggin!
Now days....I would pack a Strobe Light, Day/Night Flare, an Epirb, and a handheld VHF with GPS and DSC capability along with a very good signal mirror. Add in a decent knife, LED Flashlight, and a crossword and I would call it good.
For Offshore....
STANDARD HORIZON HX850S Floating 6W Handheld VHF with integral GPS
The older I get....the more I am in touch with my mortality and appreciate hi-tech devices for getting found prior to my sell by date.
Now days....I would pack a Strobe Light, Day/Night Flare, an Epirb, and a handheld VHF with GPS and DSC capability along with a very good signal mirror. Add in a decent knife, LED Flashlight, and a crossword and I would call it good.
For Offshore....
STANDARD HORIZON HX850S Floating 6W Handheld VHF with integral GPS
The older I get....the more I am in touch with my mortality and appreciate hi-tech devices for getting found prior to my sell by date.
Last edited by SASless; 7th Apr 2008 at 01:41.
Bumping an 11 year old thread here, apologies. Will be doing HUET in the next few months with my team, and we are going to pick up constant wear vests shortly. This thread has great info, but has much changed in the past decade? Considering the options from Switlik and Mustang.
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Bumping an 11 year old thread here, apologies. Will be doing HUET in the next few months with my team, and we are going to pick up constant wear vests shortly. This thread has great info, but has much changed in the past decade? Considering the options from Switlik and Mustang.
Something to consider carrying these days.
EG
Mustang gear - pay attention to the approval / certification in your particular country.
And on another point don't wear a "Float Coat" in an aircraft. Ask the Canadians.
And on another point don't wear a "Float Coat" in an aircraft. Ask the Canadians.