Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

[Mark42]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

Last week I was out by myself on the bay on a nice evening. Forgot to put my preserver on until I had left the marina and was in open water. Then I got that funny feeling like when you forget to buckle the safty belt in your car. So I went to put it on and found out how difficult it is dealing with loose straps, untangling mine from 3 or 4 others tossed under the deck all while bouncing and weaving at the mercy of the waves.<br /><br />That experience made me realize that in an emergency, there is no way I am going to be able to put one on and help anyone else after being dumped into in the water.<br /><br />Now I put it on before I launch the boat. Same goes for everyone else.<br /><br />Mark

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

I have a rule that we don't go anywhere with the boat unless we are all wearing our PFD's...and we all know how to swim.<br /><br />I knew three different friends that died (in separate cases/incidents) because they were too proud to wear a life jacket.<br /> <br />The first incident was the father of two young kids. <br /> <br />The second incident was a hunting/fishing buddy. Fortunately his son survived because he had a life jacket.<br /><br />The last, a business friend off on vacation with his wife. He went boating alone and fell out. They found him later in the day later floating in the lake.<br /><br />If you get stupid stares from wearing your PFD, remember who the stupid one is.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

i make both the kids wear them at all times, from the time we get outa the car, even before we hit the dock, to the time we are back to the car. even when boat isnt moving such as fishing or what not. no ifs, ands, or buts!!!

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

My granddaughters wear them, and others are easily accessible. DNR made a routine check of my boat last summer, and the 10 year old actually challenged the officer with her claim she can swim. After he explained the number of kids her age that have drowned, she did a 180 and no longer argues about it. The 9 year old is good with it as long as it matches her clothes. <br />I sent a written memo to the Michigan DNR expressing my pleasure with the routine check, and the assist with the jackets.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

I think it kind of depends on the vessel. If you were vacationing on a cruise ship, would you and your kids wear your PFD’s at all times? There are some vessels where reasonable safety can be had without wearing a PFD, and there are vessels where a PFD should always be worn. There are very few recreational vessels that do not warrant wearing a PFD at all times. Just as important as having and wearing your PFD is having and wearing the right type of PFD for the waters you will tooling about in.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

As soon as we get out of the car to get ready to launch the boat, the boys (5 and 7) put on their life vests, I wear mine as well to set a good example for the boys. wife does not<br /><br />I have read about too many kids drowning at the docks, parents busy with the boat and other boaters that the kid gets knocked over and they are gone.<br /><br />Like a friend of my said "you can only make that mistake ONCE"<br /><br />One time I was on a party fishing boat with some friends and the boat had the life preservers inside tucked into the racks in the ceiling, I told my friend that we are toast if the boat goes down because we have to go inside and pull them out of the ceiling.<br /><br />He replied - "we can swim to shore" <br /><br />I asked him - when was the last time you swam 2 miles in the ocean at night? - I do not even think he could walk 2 miles without taking a break.

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

In my car you wear a seat belt. In my boat you wear a lifevest while underway. Once stopped you can zip down but do not take off. In the pontoon you put in on while underway. Why? people who can not swim will want to go without. Not on my watch. I am not going to give them an excuse.

 

[kd6nem]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

Is having your PFD's "at arm's length" even good enough when that drunk plows into your boat, or when someone falls overboard? Can your kid do like the cartoons and stop in mid air, then stretch their arm out an extra six feet to grab what is hopefully not tangled, then put their pfd on in the water? How about if they hit their head on the side of the boat on the way out? (It happens. How would you feel if it was on your watch?) How many have ever tried swimming in full dress with their boots on? When I fish in cool weather I may be in jeans, rubber boots, a heavy sweatshirt and coat. Yes you can swim, or maybe float for a little while, if the water is warm enough. But forget making it to shore. There have been many stronger men than I who drowned thinking they could just grab their vest "when they need it". Including many who had friends aboard. <br /><br />WEARING PFD's is never optional on my boat unless we are in a carefully supervised "swimming mode".

 

[zdmaster2k]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

Good man Mark42, I sail dinghies and use powerboats (dories and RIB's) for rescue. At all the places I have operated, the wearing of personal buoyancy is compulsorary before going anywhere near the water, no matter of conditions or age. You're doing it exactly right, At least PFD or 150N at all times

 

[Ross J]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

I'm with JB on this one. Rule No.2 (as printed on the transom of my boat) states - "All aboard are to wear a PDF. If you refuse, please tell the skipper so he can put you ashore!"<br />We have too many situations where people drown just because they wern't wearing theirs. I'm sure it's the same over there in the states too!<br />Safety first, Skippers responsibility.<br />Ross

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

Since everyone on here is talking about a safety related topic, I feel compelled to add three things to the list, that often get ignored.<br />#1)Anchor.....in many situations an anchor can save lives. If you boat anywhere that has current, has commercial traffic or has a dam, an anchor can save your life if you lose power, or have to abandon the helm for any reason. Something as simple as running out of gas can and has been deadly because an anchor with proper rope was not on board.<br />#2)Fire extinguisher. We all expect when we go to a public place that the fire system has been tested and serviced in the last 12 months. How long has it been since you replaced/ or had your extinguisher serviced ? Can you outswim 10-200 gallons of gas exploding ?<br />#3) VHF RADIO: Forget about cellphones. Do you have a radio onboard? Do you show your guests how to use it in an emergency ? FACT: As most of us are boating, we are usually in a rural area, or on a river that boarders several states and counties. When seconds count, a cell call to 911 can be answered several counties away, by someone who doesn't even know where your lake or river is.<br />A properly placed call on the vhf can reach someone who might be in a boat 1 minute away....this can save lives.<br />I know this is off topic, please excuse me. Everyone on here seams to care about their families and guests.

 

[ssnedeker]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

Mark,<br /><br />Maybe you should be staring at the unvested. If they are headed out on the water it could be the last time you see them. At least they'll look really good when they drown since they won't have an ugly life jacket on.<br /><br />If you want to reduce the staring have you thought about getting inflatable suspenders, a flotation jacket, or one of the vests that look less "life jacket-like"? I usually recommend getting the brightest life jacket for in-water visability, but maybe having one that looks more like regular clothing is more important if it makes people wear it.<br /><br />One of the scariest times I had boating was onboard a friend's boat. I figured his boat was safe since he has crewed on many charter boats and was in the Coast Guard Reserve. We anchored to eat lunch and his low stern started taking on water from the passing boat wakes. I asked where the life jackets or throwables were and he said he didn't have any. Actually, he didn't have ANY safety gear. Now I know why he quickly changed course when there was a marine patrol boat ahead. I now ask where the life jackets are before boarding someone else's boat and often bring my own life vest.<br /><br />"Each day has to be approached as if there is no history of success leading up to it" ~ Gene Rochlin, UC Berkley. In other words, just because someone has gone out 50 times without a life jacket and survived doesn’t mean they won’t need one the next time.<br /><br />ScottS

 

[Mark42]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

Maybe you should be staring at the unvested. If they are headed out on the water it could be the last time you see them. At least they'll look really good when they drown since they won't have an ugly life jacket on.

Good one! We use the typical thin vest style. They are comforable enough to wear for long periods of time. I like setting a good example and have become proud of our vest-wearing!

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

My 4 yr old, fell in the water between our boat and the dock this summer. She had been sitting on the edge just moments before. A quick trip down (about 2 ft), completely submerged, and a quick trip back up, as she was retrieved almost instantly by a friend. Thankfully our kids wear their lifejackets at all times, near the water. Only when we are at a beach, can the eldest remove hers. The youngest wears inflatable water wings when at the beach, and both are great swimmers.<br /><br />Wife and I do not wear jackets, but should. They are within reach at all times when in the boat.

 

[fatpratt1996]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

I am known as a d*** on my boat about pfd's. I don't think I could live with myself if I were nice about it and the other person drowned. I don't have kids so no other kids in my boat. Accidents happen all of the time. Without one, not many people are strong enough to overcome the forces in which caused you to need a life jacket,(wreck,weather,some poeple can't stay afloat on their own). Make them put it on, they'll get used to it.

 

[llfish]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

This question is an easy one to answer! Check the newspaper and see how many people drown without a pfd and how may drown that are wearing a pfd. The answer is very clear.<br /><br />We all wear ours all the time.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

When I boat alone I wear the automatic inflatable. When boating with adults it depends on conditions. If I say it's time for PFDs, they are put on. We have a fairly large boat.<br />So far, no children have been aboard but when the time comes they will be wearing PFDs as required by law or common sense.

 

[Stumpknocker]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

I have instituted a new policy aboard my vessel. Only those individuals that I esteem are allowed life vests. All others are at their own risk as they have offended me in some not always major way. If they make it back ok, if not.... I now have way fewer people bothering me to go out anymore. Although a couple have purchased their own life vests and continue to bother me day and night to go fishing. They always hang on real tight for some reason....... inlaws particulary.

 

[swist]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

How come we all didn't need to wear PFDs 10 years ago? Next thing the gov will pass after mandatory PFD laws which are pending in some states, will be laws that you be seated at all times, wear a survival suit, be tethered to a lifeline, sign a waiver of liability, etc.<br /><br />Boating is an activity that involves risk. But of course these days everyone wants to shift the risk over to someone or something other than personal responsibility. <br /><br />Kids should wear PFDs and adults should decide for themselves if they want to. Certain situations dictate it - the captain can so order it. But as far as I'm concerned we might as well just stay in our living rooms at minimal risk where we can pass the day reading the 47 warning labels on everything we touch like don't stick your hand inside your TV etc.... Probably going to be labels all over boats soon. <br /><br />No I do not stare or sneer at boats full of PFDed people in calm weather. It is their right. It is also their duty to leave me alone....

 

[Mark42]

Re: Am I the only one who makes my family wear life vests?

Gil009 - I like that policy! Will be instituting it first thing in the spring.<br /><br />Swist - <br />

How come we all didn't need to wear PFDs 10 years ago?

Recently there was a change in the magnetic values of the earths gravity causing people who didn't know how to swim to sink. This condition did not exist 10 years ago, so everyone floated. Gravity and bouyancy are different now; IE the need for life vests.