Pictures courtesy of Mustang Survival
As one in every of this 12 months’s Magenta Challenge Mentees, I’ve had the chance to check out a brand new little bit of package within the type of Mustang Survival’s EP 38 Ocean Racing Life Jacket. It instantly grew to become my go-to.
This life jacket sits on my shoulders in a different way than my earlier offshore life jacket. The majority of the jacket is centered extra on the chest and fewer over the shoulders, making it a considerably decrease profile and extra snug match. It doesn’t really feel constricting, and while you’re carrying it for days on finish offshore, that’s essential.
I took my Security at Sea course this summer season and used the EP 38 for the in-water portion, giving me a possibility to get the total expertise. I’d by no means truly been within the water with my earlier life jacket so it’s laborious to check one to 1, however anecdotally, I appeared to have extra freeboard than just about everybody within the pool who had different fashions, and the teacher identified my life jacket for instance of the newest innovation, asking me to strive as laborious as I might to place my face within the water. Regardless of my finest efforts (and as a former collegiate swimmer) I might barely flip myself over as a result of cleverly designed buoyancy form.
The built-in hood stretches to suit over your complete inflated portion to create slightly respiratory bubble that retains spray out of your face. I hesitate to say this about life saving gear, nevertheless it was type of cozy and enjoyable to be in a protected little pod. Even with out the crotch straps tightened utterly, it was cosy sufficient to maintain me securely in place and didn’t trip up. (The crotch straps are inbuilt and roll as much as tuck neatly in a pocket at the back of the life jacket when not in use. A tether level can also be a part of the bundle.) One notice on usability is that this life jacket goes over your head and have to be tightened to suit every time. It’s barely extra cumbersome than one which clips within the entrance, however as soon as it was on I discovered it considerably extra snug.
The EP 38 makes use of a hydrostatic inflater, which prompts underneath stress somewhat than contact with moisture, so there’s nearly no likelihood of the life jacket inflating as a result of moist situations. The arming indicator is clearly seen on the entrance of the life jacket, which is a pleasant contact. I did have some issue getting a rearming package, nonetheless. After my dip within the pool, I went to a number of marine shops, together with a number of that had it listed as in inventory on their web site, and had no luck. I assume a part of the stocking situation is simply that it’s not as frequent of a mannequin but. You’ll need to order arming kits on-line and may plan a minimum of every week earlier than your occasion in order that it has time to reach.
Because the bow particular person for a program that mandates life jackets be worn always on deck, a snug, safe match is indispensable to me, and this life jacket instantly went to the highest of my record. Everybody may have their very own preferences about match and performance, however for those who’re shelling out for a brand new offshore vest, you owe it to your self to take a look at this selection. $385, mustangsurvival.com
NB&G
Trending Merchandise
