Survival Equipment

[thebluto]

A friend of mine is a missionary/Baptist minister/aviator that does a lot of flying from South Texas to Mexico/Latin/South America. He is looking for an inexpensive life raft and survival equipment for use, flying over the Gulf of Mexico. His big concerns are lack of bulk, lower weight and better durability at an affordable price. Does any one know of a survival outfitter that can help out in this type of purchase? Would surplus military gear be too bulky? Obviously there would be a number of tradeoffs. Thanks.

 

[avbug]

Surely seems to be a disparity of thought between "cheap" and "lifesaving."

 

[Shiny Side Up]

What is he flying? That would certainly have some bearing on what he should carry. Forget trying to cheap out, nothing could be worse than really needing top notch gear, and finding that you in effect killed yourself years ago by not spending a little extra...

 

[thebluto]

I didn't say "cheap". When I said inexpensive and affordable, I just meant that the sky's not exactly the limit. This is a charity organization and not a corporate jet outfit. However, there isn't a need to "cheap out" either. Common sense does play a factor here.

He says it's a B18 twin. Now, I know there was a Douglas B18 built in the 40s, but I'm not sure if that is what he's referring to. He's looking for a six-man raft (or possibly two smaller rafts) and some survival equipment.

 

[erj-145mech]

That could be a Beech 18, or a C-45 for the military folks.

 

[NW_Pilot]

For a Decent Reasonable priced Raft have him look at http://www.survivalproductsinc.com you can get a TSO'd Raft for about $1,200 if you call them. Return Shipping Can Be Expensive from Cretin Places has to be shipped hasmat because of the CO2 bottle!

A TSO Life vest is about $45.00 - $50.00 Make Sure every thing you get is TSO make sure the livevest is also 2-cell With a light!!!!!!

McMurdo Pains Wessex Rescue 406MHz EPIRB With GPS About $800.00

 

[avbug]

If he's just doing infrequent crossings, he can always rent the gear.

 

[Alamanach]

...you can get a TSO'd Raft for about $1,200... Make Sure every thing you get is TSO...

What's TSO?

 

[avbug]

Technical Standard Order. TSO'd equipment is required if you're operating under a certificate such as a charter or airline certificate. The FAA mandates certain standards, and a TSO is an example of a set standard to which all compliant equipment must adhere.

Non-TSO'd equipment may be just as good, but it doesn't necessarily comply with the TSO...it may be made to a different specification, or it may meet a lower standard...or the company that makes may have just not wanted to go through the testing to show compliance.

Equipment meeting a particular TSO will state on the outside of the product and on the labeling the TSO standard to which it is constructed.

 

[thebluto]

If he's just doing infrequent crossings, he can always rent the gear.

Any suggestions on places to rent from?