Is a ski vest good enough?

[Hot Shot Merc]

Sorry for the images not showing up. For some reason some of my images I post go away after a few minutes. Greg is trying to figure out why. Oh well mach351's pics are pretty clear

[LittleCharger]

Im referring to the race jackets that lifeline makes. They have a large frontal flotation added to the front of the jacket unlike any of the products by SRP i see on the SRP site Mr demanor posted the link to. The SRP has padding in front but not the large buoyancy i and others here are talking about. I've owned the lifeline and it will float you face up every time due to the large amount of flotation in the front. I tested mine in my pool and it works.

Did anyone read the disclaimer at the bottom of the SRP Jackets page? It says

"no life jacket is guaranteed to roll user over 100% of the time."

Can somebody post a pic of the OVER STUFFED frontal buoyancy lifeline for those who don't understand what we are referring to?

i don't believe they make the over stuffed version anymore unless they will do a custom order, the current non-capsule race version on the lifeline site is the comp jacket and it's not over stuffed. I own one of the over stuffed lifeline versions you are referring to and also own a number of the SRP ones they have a different type of floatation foam in them as well as flak material. I think if you send your overstuffed version back for recertification you will get back the impact foam and flak

The newer ones are more comfortable but i agree the older over stuffed has a higher probability of turning you over.

the lifeline that Greg was wearing did not turn him over when he blew the Allison over in Jasper

[robert jordan]

Is it just me , or does that water look rough? I think I see white caps ! You say it did not turn him over? Did he get knocked out?

[LittleCharger]

SRP and Current lifeline comp vests side by side. If I had to chose between the newer versions I'd take the SRP...metal leg buckles ( someone noted above blowing theirs out), and two sets of d-rings one at bottom and top of zipper ( someone noted zipper blowing out above).

[LittleCharger]

Is it just me , or does that water look rough? I think I see white caps ! You say it did not turn him over? Did he get knocked out?

when rescue boat got to him he was face down...trim solenoid stuck

[Kcraft]

Greg was wearing a Sport vest not a Comp vest…

[LittleCharger]

Greg was wearing a Sport vest not a Comp vest…

Yeah wasn't sure which one he had, he ordered one of the RCD racing ones haven't heard the verdict on jumping in the lake to see if it turned him over yet.

Hope all is well !

Cheers,

[Mr. Demeanor]

There is a option out there besides Life Line.Lee Hallenbek RCD Racing makes a killer jacket. Kevlar ballistic material and impact panels if you like. Straps go over the shoulder all one piece. The flotation and panels are removable to clean with zipper access. Legal to race with also all certified and all. Just no USCG cert.Also makes one with out the impact panels.Will custom build it with any color combo you want. I got mine with the impact panels new for $310 to the door. Was a order that some one did not pay for.Why pay more than you have to? Give the small guy your $$$$. You talk to the one person that make it not just a person on the phone.

I am actually going to order one from him. Just got busy and need to get back in touch with him. Im kind of hard to fit.
It sounds like the bass pro and Mustang jackets (with leg straps added) are probably as good as the Poker Run jacket from Life Line. Im surprised to hear stories of them coming apart. At least with the BP and Mustang they also count toward your Coast Guard requirement.

[rude tim]

SRP and Current lifeline comp vests side by side. If I had to chose between the newer versions I'd take the SRP...metal leg buckles ( someone noted above blowing theirs out), and two sets of d-rings one at bottom and top of zipper ( someone noted zipper blowing out above).

I am glad ti hear that! When I got out of the hospital and back home I sent an email to Life Line. I told them what happened in my crash to the vest. I suggesting that they put D rings on the leg straps and on the top middle and bottom of the zipper. I never recieved a reply or call from them. I figured that they probably thought that I was looking for money or a possable lawsuit. That was not the case. I figured that real world experience could help make their product better.

[GregAdams]

I just reread my post. I wasn't trying to make the point that you should wear a helmet. The point I was trying to make is that you won't be wearing a helmet, so you better be wearing something with roll-over floatation. Even more so if there isn't a rescue boat within 30 seconds.

I have been for a couple of swims racing and testing. There are a lot of hard surfaces in the cockpit. If you hit your head on the way out, there is a fair chance you will be unconscious before you hit the water, if you aren't wearing a helmet. Especially if you hook.
Attachment 379715 I landed this one still in the seat and drove away.

[powerabout]

SRP and Current lifeline comp vests side by side. If I had to chose between the newer versions I'd take the SRP...metal leg buckles ( someone noted above blowing theirs out), and two sets of d-rings one at bottom and top of zipper ( someone noted zipper blowing out above).

Would i wear either of those that fit like that to go competition waterski jumping...
Nope!

[olboatman]

As you can see in the pics I wear a Lifeline Sport w/ crotch straps as I had a vest come off over my head after a blowover when I was young. Even though my SLT only flys right under 50 I KNOW I will be unconscious if I hit the water wrong at my age. Safety has always been on top with me and as I use to tell my underwater photo students (shipwrecks only) " You can try it your way or do it my way.....Remember I'm still here" Gary

[powerabout]

if it easy to put on, it comes off easy

[mikej]

Me and my wife both wear lifeline poker run jackets anytime my Spectre is going to be running at a decent speed. Don't skimp on a jacket that could save your life, not worth it.

[Hupiveneilijä]

My son and I wear GRABNER racing approved vests, little "klumsy" but felt right decicion on last saturday. Drove 75nm on quite ruff weather, if something happen you are atleast on surface facing up and helmets too. Makes driving more relax.