Outfitting Your PFD/Deck Harness

One of the most important pieces of equipment you can purchase early on in your sailing career is a PFD. It can go with you regardless of what you're on and you can upgrade and add things as they go. Here are some options for how to setup your first PFD or some ideas for improving your current one.
Product Links:
Glofast Tether: None :(
West Marine Tether: www.westmarine.com/buy/west-m...
Spinlock Deckvest 5D: www.spinlockusa.com/commercia...
Spinlock Deckvest 6D: spinlockusa.com/en-us/categor...
West Marine PFD: www.westmarine.com/buy/west-m...
ACR PLB: www.acrartex.com/products/res...
Rigging tool: www.westmarine.com/buy/west-m...
ACR PFD Strobe: www.westmarine.com/buy/acr-el...

[@jameshoiby]

FYI, that Spinlock 6D crotch strap tucks nicely into the back of the harness (with a bit of practice). Thanks for the informative video!

[@dr.oferzur8625]

Very informative, thanks.

[@jacquesjansenvanrensburg3775]

Thank you for this review. Once of the best videos I've seen on PFDs. Appreciate your insight. Keep up the good work.

[@purenight77]

Awesome video, very informative thanks mate 👍

[@safety4cruisers746]

Thanks!

[@waynelondon9776]

Absolutely excellent review and explanation of PFD’s and harnessing. As a new novice sailor that is planning to do a lot of sailing over the next few years I found this super helpful. Great job!

[@safety4cruisers746]

Glad to be of assistance!

[@windmill10]

Well done!!!

[@chriswhatley9530]

Always interesting seeing someone else's opinion on life jacket safety, however I do have to question you logic on the crotch straps as I've found people are most likely to fall in in good conditions due to becoming complacent, and if you do go in the straps are absolutely vital to prevent the life jacket for riding up over your head.

[@safety4cruisers746]

Valid point!

[@jeremylivingstone4110]

Just Bought my First ...CrewSaver 180N Pro Manual pdf - the Marine customer Service Guy Mentioned that Automatics can go off in The Event of A Crashing wave across the Deck ..I now feel Somewhat Skeptical with regards to his Comment ...what do you think?
Enjoyed your Candid ,Enthusiastic, Experienced Presentation👍

[@safety4cruisers746]

I have heard of that happening to bobbin operated PFDs (one reason to go with hydrostatic) but I think it would have to be a massive amount of water to trigger the device.

[@steffenfrost]

instead of or in addition to a safety streamer, and inflatable large ballon with an internal blinking light would be a good idea, no?

[@safety4cruisers746]

In principle yes, I'm not aware of any commercially available devices that could fit on a PFD though.

[@markberger5739]

how do you compare the harness release system to the team 0 back tow system?

[@safety4cruisers746]

I don't have any personal experience with that system, however the principle of towing from the back is definitely preferable. The trade off can be the ease of access to a release mechanism (if any). I would definitely like to trial that and explore the system in more depth.

[@DallasABabineaux]

Great video, but I'm not sure you realize how often you say "Uhhh". Bad habit, ask me how I know. 🥴