Product 2018
Femme, Homme, Enfant
For several years we have been following the Restube adventure. This product, or should we say products, have awoken our curiosity. In the Friedrichshafen Outdoor Show in Germany, the Restube team were unflagging: the demonstrations came one after another and the public were enraptured.
When you are shown how they work, and how advantageous they are in terms of safety on the water and in the water, you wonder why they aren’t distributed more widely just simply to save lives and bring more serenity to nautical sports.
What is it exactly?
Well, it’s a small protective device that you attach to a belt. It contains a “bike” type gas and an elongated shaped balloon that inflates when you trigger the cartridge. The ball/buoy is attached to a belt with a lanyard. It enables you to stay on the surface of the water and breath, and to regain your strength whilst awaiting rescue. It is bright yellow and visible from afar and you can wave it around to be seen. The Restube that we tested is designed for swimming and weighs 210g. Uninflated it measures 12x6x4cm.
We tested it in mode swimrun. But other models are designed for surfers, kite surfers, yachtsmen, rescuers, etc.
The belt is easy to fit and adjusts reasonably quickly, but the security measures are demanding so it needs careful adjustment so as not to allow the swimmer to slide through the apparatus. It is advised to carry the small pack with the cartridges at the hip so the release the knob is easily accessible. Whilst swimming it doesn’t bother you at all.
In the event you become tired, or have cramps, or any other problems, you just pull knob sticking out (which is also a whistle). The buoy inflates instantly, pops out of its compartment and stays near the swimmer thanks to the lanyard. So you can grab the buoy and slide the two ends under each arm and rest.
In the trials we found two areas of improvement for this product. It is obvious that Restube looked at all problematics, and the product answers all the norms, erring on the side of efficiency and performance. We would’ve liked the cartridge knob to have a handle so it was easier to grab. The design as it stands is no doubt to be streamlined in this case for the purpose of swimming, so that it doesn’t catch on anything and open out unwantedly.
The other point concerns the buoy. Once inflated it really assists the swimmer, but, its cylindrical form is not easy to hold on to. If you slide it under your arm pits to hold it in place it’s not as easy to keep there. Two light weight handles on the sides would’ve been useful. But – maybe technically this isn’t possible…
Once the Restube has been used, you change the cartridge and fold it back down and put it away in its storage bag. Folding is easy, read the instruction manual correctly. Restube have taken much time and effort into making it easy to understand.
In numerous languages, on the box, the pamphlet, even the buoy itself. There are also many tutorials on the website.
To change the CO2 cartridge you must use the Restube models that are insensitive to sea water, that have a safety clip (green piece) and which are adapted to the product. The cartridge is covered in a small neoprene cover because once triggered it becomes very cold and could damage your skin.
There is a large black valve to open to deflate the buoy.
For swimming in open water and for all nautical sports, this Restube is a safety net. Simple and extremely efficient, it could save lives. It should be available in all sailing schools and be with swimmers just in case…
The type of product that we adore: intelligently designed, practical, simple (in looks), very well thought out. A good item for protecting childrens’ lives too. We would say in indispensable item to have. A must have….
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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