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BUYER’S GUIDE TO IMMERSION SUITS The VIKING advantage How to make the right decision - the rst time around

BUYER’S GUIDE TO IMMERSION SUITS The deadline is closer than you think Discover the VIKING advantage The deadline of July 2006 may seem far off, but demand in the global industry is expected to be high and global production is limited. Many have already placed large orders and it is a good idea to order now to ensure your freedom of choice - that the right suit for your needs is available. Contact your nearest dealer or VIKING representative so they can help you put together the right immersion suit package including delivery options for your needs. 4 This buyer’s guide is designed to help...

Q U A L I T Y A N D M AT E R I A L S T Here is a typical example of poor quality PU coated Nylon material and sealing tape. The coating is not sufciently attached to the material, resulting in delamination on the surface and along the seams. not a viking ed approv al materi Most likely the material will show leakage already after 3 years, maybe even after 1 year. Material of this quality exposed to variable temperatures and humidity will break down very quickly and any use will expedite the process even further. Why not just take the cheapest immersion suit? 6 he decision you make now will...

Q U A L I T Y A N D M AT E R I A L S T he way the immersion suit is fabricated varies greatly from poor to high quality. It is crucial that water does not ingress into the suit as this drastically reduces survival time in the water. ng iki not a v ed approv al materi When jumping several meters from a ship’s side into the water, the wearer will sink to an extent before rising again to the surface. Poor tting suits may allow water to enter the suit in this phase. VIKING’s high quality suits t snugly around the face to eliminate water ingress. Easy grip zippers close up along the side of the...

COSTS T he initial purchase price is not the only important economic factor. Suits need to be serviced regularly which means that servicing and replacement costs can make the difference between a good buy or false economy in the long run. Quality and durability extend the life of an immersion suit and longevity has an enormous effect on long term costs. VIKING has many suits on ships in Icelandic waters that are 15-20 years old. And it’s not just the cost of the actual suit – it’s also about the effect of servicing on turnaround time for the shipping business. VIKING has a unique global...

CHOOSING A SUIT I t is important that the suits you choose match the requirements you have. Two primary decisions are materials and buoyancy. Is Neoprene enough or would the superior quality PU coated Nylon be more suitable? Is it enough to have suits that must be worn with a lifejacket or should they have the freedom and extra security of built in buoyancy? VIKING produces a complete range of immersion suits for all requirements, from basic suits to top of the line, PU coated Nylon or Neoprene, with or without buoyancy. Certain models are good for certain situations, we can customise a...

F E AT U R E S S mall details make a big difference. Design features and construction are important when choosing immersion suits. VIKING’s has over 25 years of experience in supplying immersion suits which means that we know the kind of conditions in which our suits will be used and just which design features are important in critical situations at sea. QUESTION: Which details are important? up in a stressful situation. And they must be placed in a way to ensure safety and quality. Nothing is left to chance with our zippers. We’ve added T tabs for easy grabbing, even with gloves on. Our...

WRIST SEAL: PU coated Nylon suits with detachable gloves should have specially designed wrist seal as an extra safety feature if a glove gets torn or a hole in it. FOOT SOLES:The edges of the soles are one of the risky areas for tearage on a cargo ship with rough decks. It is therefore important that the soles at the bottom of the suit are large enough to cover the entire foot area. Some nationalities are known for their large feet. BUDDY LINE: We recommend that all immersion suits are mounted with buddy lines as the extra cost is minimal for the greatly increased safety. HOOD: Not all...

HYPOTHERMIA PROTECTION H ypothermia occurs when the body temperature becomes lower than normal, specically when the core temperature drops below 35°C. As the temperature drops, there is a gradual reduction in muscle coordination and movement, and eventually if the body temperature falls low enough, death. An immersion suit keeps the wearer dry and protected from the cold water and extends survival time. All VIKING immersion suits are specially designed to maximise protection against hypothermia with features such as special zippers, face rings and wrist seals. QUESTION: How does an...

USE F ortunately accidents don’t happen very often. But when they do, they can have fatal consequences if the right safety equipment isn’t on board or if the crew isn’t properly trained. When shipping accidents occur in cold waters, there’s only one chance – the equipment must work immediately. Our equipment is often the last possible means of rescue in an emergency. QUESTION: How long can you survive with an immersion suit? ANSWER: Survival time in the water with an immersion suit depends on several factors; the temperature of the water, the amount of heat produced by the body and the...

DURABILITY T he more durable the suit, the longer it will last and the better the investment in the long term. VIKING’s immersion suits are exclusively constructed from high quality materials using expert know-how and a combination of practical and innovative designs. They are constructed for a long lifespan. Regular servicing and proper care of immersion suits can extend their lifetime. QUESTION: What can you do to increase the lifetime of your suits? ANSWER: How immersion suits are stored, packed inspected and serviced has an effect on their lifetime. Immersion suits stored in areas with...