Safety Gear
ACR Rapid Ditch Bag (Large)
The ACR Rapid Ditch Bag is a buoyant survival gear bag designed to keep all your safety gear organized and at the ready in the event you have to abandon ship. It can store up to 11.3 kg (25 lb) of gear and features water-resistant fabric, corrosion-resistant zippers, and new reflective material to further help being spotted by search and rescue teams. Another ideal feature is its innovative shoulder strap, which transforms into two, four-foot safety harnesses that clip to life jackets and keep everyone connected in the water. It’s made of 600 Denier Polyester with a 210 denier polyester interior, measures 73.6 x 25.4 x 37 cm (29 x 10 x 14.5 in) and comes with a one- year limited warranty. Retail Price: $153 USD www.acrartex.com
Wave Barrier Inflatable
The Wave Barrier Inflatable from Salus Marine is a lightweight, comfortable and low-profile PFD designed for active boaters and anglers. Made of 500 Denier Cordura Nylon, some key safety features include a 16 kg (35lb) buoyant cell, lifting handle, whistle and 3M Marine reflective piping to increase visibility in the water. The PFD also has a Flex-wing design for an improved flotation angle and an effective wave barrier to prevent water from channeling into the airways. The PFD’S tall neck design and Neoprene comfort collar offers support to the head and neck while a manual back-up, oral inflator, safety harness and D-ring are other features. MSRP: Manual: $ 180 CAD; Automatic: $230 CAD www.salusmarine.com
Water Safety Throw
With its aerodynamic design and easily deployable rope, the Water Safety Throw is designed to quickly come to the aid when a crew member has fallen overboard. With its aerodynamic design, the Water Safety Throw can easily be tossed in windy conditions and is brightly coloured for easier visibility. It comes standard with 15 m (50ft), floating polypropylene woven rope that has a 400 kg (900lb) breaking strength. There’s also a quick release plug to prevent the rope from being deployed unintentionally. Once the Water Safety Throw is delivered to the victim, the integrated handle is easy to grip for the victim to return safely to the boat. MSRP: $35 CAD www.fox40world.com
Vesper Marine deckwatch
Vesper Marine`s series of smartais transponders now provide even more safety on the water with its new deckwatch app compatible with Android Wear 2 devices. Honoured with an Innovation Award at the 2017 IBEX show in the Safety Equipment category, the app relays data from the Watchmate XB-8000 or the Watchmate Vision transponders and immediately alerts you in the event of a potential collision, anchor drag, or if someone falls overboard. In each instance alarms are sounded on your smart watch and updated bearings and ranges are displayed. The app also provides depth, wind, speed, headings, SOG, and COG. The app is free and is available on Google Play. MSRP: $800 (Watchmate XB-8000 smartais transponder)/ $1,250 (Watchmate Vision smartais transponder) www2.vespermarine.com
Marine 300
Ideal for day trips, the Marine 300 from Adventure Medical Kits comes equipped with a good supply of first aid items for when emergencies take place on the water. The kit measures 21 x 14 x 11 cm (8.5 x 5.5 x 4.5 in), and all contents are contained in waterproof bags. Some of the pertinent items include an irrigation syringe and wound closure strips, an array of medications for pain, inflammation, and common allergies, plus a heat reflective blanket that can reflect 90 percent of radiated body heat. There’s also bandage scissors, precision forceps, and an instant cold pack to manage swelling of fractures and sprains. What`s more, there are a series of wraps and bandages to immobilize fractures. The bag weighs 560 gm (1 lb) and can treat up to six people. MSRP: $64 USD www.adventuremedicalkits.com