Life jackets - is BA finally moving with the times?
Sep 25, 2018, 5:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Programs: BAEC Gold [>20k Lifetime TPs] | Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond [as is Mrs PtF] | Various Others
Posts: 6,156
Life jackets - is BA finally moving with the times?
Mrs PtF and I flew BA870 LHR BUD last Thursday; included in the safety video were those words we must have heard a thousand times - ‘Pass the tapes around your waist and tie them securely in a double bow at the side’.
On last nights BA869 BUD LHR there were no video screens (a virtually new A320 G-TTNC); the safety demonstration was given manually, and lo and behold, no more tied tapes - just a simple ‘click’ to fasten the life jacket around your waist.
I’ve experienced this sort of life jacket on other airlines many times, and always thought BA was behind the times with their old-fashioned method of fastening the life jacket. Is this a recent innovation, or has it been in place for some time (I did search FT BAEC Forum, but couldn’t find anything)?
On last nights BA869 BUD LHR there were no video screens (a virtually new A320 G-TTNC); the safety demonstration was given manually, and lo and behold, no more tied tapes - just a simple ‘click’ to fasten the life jacket around your waist.
I’ve experienced this sort of life jacket on other airlines many times, and always thought BA was behind the times with their old-fashioned method of fastening the life jacket. Is this a recent innovation, or has it been in place for some time (I did search FT BAEC Forum, but couldn’t find anything)?
Sep 25, 2018, 5:28 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
I'm pretty sure it's recent (I think they perhaps came with the NEOs?). I'm less sure that it's a good idea. But I am more sure that the merits of the dumbed-down version won't often have to be put to the test.
Sep 25, 2018, 5:40 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
Goad to see things moving forward. Those clip fasteners are pretty robust ... if you look at current British Army personal combat equipment you’ll find the whole assembly is held together with them!
Sep 25, 2018, 5:55 am
#4
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
I've always wondered how many people understand the double bow instruction. If you consider people whose first language isn't English, those who weren't paying attention to the video and those who can't tie a single bow (increasinly common apparently in these shoelace-free times) I'm guessing there's quite a few. Then add in the panic and stress of any situation requiring lifejackets and I think even fewer would get it right.
I would think the clip is a more obvious and therefore more consistently applied fastening. But whether a clip is better or worse than a proper double bow, I've no idea.
I would think the clip is a more obvious and therefore more consistently applied fastening. But whether a clip is better or worse than a proper double bow, I've no idea.
Sep 25, 2018, 6:07 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The "double bow" issue is problematic for those who may not be proficient in English (or are less than proficient, as "double bow" is not a common term), people who lack dexterity, people who may panic, and many others. Clips are straightforward and their operation is obvious and not language-dependent.
Sep 25, 2018, 6:26 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 251
Presumably pros of the double bow solution are:
- Quicker to adjust to a snug fit
- One less component that may fail in the event that it is needed
- Marginal weight saving
- Marginal cost saving - although this may not be the case if the clip versions are more widely produced
- Potentially marginally more room in the package size for alternate components (light, whistle) or for a bigger than average jacket
- Quicker to adjust to a snug fit
- One less component that may fail in the event that it is needed
- Marginal weight saving
- Marginal cost saving - although this may not be the case if the clip versions are more widely produced
- Potentially marginally more room in the package size for alternate components (light, whistle) or for a bigger than average jacket
Sep 25, 2018, 6:52 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South East, UK
Programs: BA Gold / GfL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,432
Surely the downside of a double bow is that there is a higher chance it will come undone, or maybe catch on something as you try to evacuate an aircraft?
Sep 25, 2018, 7:14 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
mom not so sure the ones I’ve seen on other airlines are quite as robust as the ones we use, but then again they will be only used once and not on a daily basis in austere environments.
Sep 25, 2018, 7:28 am
#14
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Those life vests are pretty flimsy, and the clip is definitely not something I would choose to use as part of the safety line on my sailing yacht. 
There are a few of advantages of a double bow over a clip that immediately spring to mind.
Clip can be 'half done' and come off, if you are rushing
Clip can break
It can catch on something
You can forget to tighten the clip and thus render the life vest pretty useless as it will bob up above your head and tangle you up if it's too lose
Of course, there are advantages of a clip over double bow on strips, like being faster, easier, you can't knot it wrong, etc.
Ideally of course the life jacket should be personal ELB-equipped with a hood, 275N, etc... etc..
or great big, bulky foam ones that cannot be accidentally deflated
There are a few of advantages of a double bow over a clip that immediately spring to mind.
Clip can be 'half done' and come off, if you are rushing
Clip can break
It can catch on something
You can forget to tighten the clip and thus render the life vest pretty useless as it will bob up above your head and tangle you up if it's too lose
Of course, there are advantages of a clip over double bow on strips, like being faster, easier, you can't knot it wrong, etc.
Ideally of course the life jacket should be personal ELB-equipped with a hood, 275N, etc... etc..
or great big, bulky foam ones that cannot be accidentally deflated
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Sep 25, 2018 at 7:55 am
Sep 25, 2018, 7:28 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937