Immersion suits

[sfprovyn]

Do any of you guys use these and if so what brand or style. I recently bought one off ebay that came off a greek container ship which was like new for $86. I must of had too much to drink when I ordered it because I looked like a giant orange smurf with three fingered gloves and a tight fitting hood that makes it impossible to turn your head around..Frank

[TheTinMan]

They call em "Gumby" suits, for real :)

[msbhammer]

Just seen one on E-BAy, but in red.

[lumberslinger178]

are we talkin about survial suits

[charlie_the_tuna]

oooooohhh. . . . . . im gonna get me one.

dont know what im gonna do with it but they are cool.

[Pipe_Dream]

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/4MyDogs/Misc/murphygumby.jpg

[sfprovyn]

Gumby suits is a good description..I thought there was something that looked more like a thick jump suit that would keep you warm if ya fall in the drink but I guess not..I almost got nocked off my little mako the other day and managed to grab hold of the gunnel but half of me got soaked and it was a cold run home plus I lost a 4/0 Senator with a new Penn roller rod..Frank

[TheTinMan]

The thing with immersion/survival suits is, you need to know that you ARE going in the drink. They take about 45 seconds to don if you've practiced. Mobility is greaty reduced when wearing and are not intended to "hang out" in while driving the boat, etc...You'll sweat your nads off too.

It's a great piece of safety/surrival gear, but not really intended for smaller boats (like ours). If you get a leak and know you are going down then yes, it will definately be good to have on board.

Since you got such a good deal on it, I'd keep it in the cuddy, hopefuly you'll never need it! ;)

IMO, the best piece of safety gear for our/any boat is an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). No, I don't have one yet but would like to.

It sends a signal via satellite to a Rescue Command Center...within minutes the RCC will know exactly where you (actually the EPIRB) are. It can be activated manually or automaticaly. If you know you are going overboard, don your PFD and grab the EPIRB....help will be there shortly! :D

[lumberslinger178]

good advice tin hope no one here ever needs any of it :o

[charlie_the_tuna]

problem with the EPIRB is that they are cost prohibitive.

[Airslot]

I think this is what you wanted.
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/landfallnav_1926_15901052
That is a Mustang anti exposure work suit. They are great for cold weather fishing, but it better be cold because they are super warm. In the mean time, I think you have purchased this:
http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/prodimg/STE-I590.JPG

Airslot

[TheTinMan]

problem with the EPIRB is that they are cost prohibitive.

True, but they have come WAY down in price. A manual one you can get for about $500 and an Auto for around $700.

[TheTinMan]

Nice Airslot...I wasn't aware of that Mustang type. I was obviously talking about the other one.


I'm sure the Mustang won't keep you from getting hypothermia as long as the other type. With the Mustang your extrimities (head, hands and feet) are not covered and that's where you lose most of your body heat...but still much better than not having one at all. ;)

[Airslot]

The top one is what the Coasties where for cold weather ops. *The local wrench also has one for water testing boats in the off season. * I've seen a few guys wear them for fishing as they have flotation built in as well.

Airslot

[charlie_the_tuna]

True, but they have come WAY down in price. *A manual one you can get for about $500 and an Auto for around $700. *



yup. but $500. to $700. is still a pretty big chunk for the working man.

[sfprovyn]

Thanks guys: I saw one of those mustang suits today at the boat dock and while they wont keep you alive as long as one of the gumby types, they are better than nothing. I also saw some WW II airfcrew survival suits on ebay real cheap and I might order one . I sold my gumby suit to a seatow salvage guy for what I paid for it..Thanks Frank