How often do you wear your life vest?

[Pony]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

i have life jackets but i dont even know if they fit me, i bought them put them in the boat they have never been worn. if i ever felt unsafe i would probably put it on but other than that i don't participate in watter sports and if the weather is bad im not out in it

If you live where I do, you might want to make sure they fit. The DNR checks that if they come by to check for fishing licenses and boat registration. They check that there are the correct number on board and that every person has one that fits and is in good condition. I personaly believe this to be a great system.

I wear a PFD everytime I am alone, or the conditions are rough. I also wear one when the weather gets cold. Sometimes in Fall it you will be out in the boat fishing and the air temp is 30F or less. I usually wear one when underway and always keep it within reach.

I will probably pop for one of the Co2 suspender sets soon. A good friend of mine is a DNR warden and he really likes them.

 

[einsteinsdog]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

some of the fisherman where them more often just because with all the pockets and such it is really handy. I know i do. and of course follow the DNR rules!

 

[chicknwing]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

We always make sure the kids have their life jackets on, but I only wear mine in bad weather or if I am going to ski, knee board, tube, etc.

TC

 

[scoutabout]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

Great thread -- sticky question. I didn't vote because there isn't a category for Inconsistent Hypocrite

On our boats they are worn under the following circumstances:

• ALWAYS on the person at the end of the rope tubing or skiing
• ALWAYS on my six year-old son and any/all little buddies of that age (includes if they get anywhere near the water's edge)
• ALWAYS when boating by myself on Lake Ontario around dusk (in combination with a flare pack on my belt)
• ALWAYS when I'm sailing the dinghy or kayaking
• ALWAYS offered to guests I don't know well enough to be able to gauge their swimming ability (99.98% of the time the offer is politely declined)
• NEVER on the adults when boating as a family
• NEVER when boating alone on lakes smaller than Ontario

And for good measure, my kill switch lanyard is hanging useless off the console, attached to nothing more than an emergency whistle...

I'm coming to realize this inconsistency is just plain stupidity. My changing attitude is helped along by my son who always asks us why we aren't wearing PFDs. There is simply no good answer.

I've been boating since my parents put my crib in the back of their Arkansas Traveler and at no time did I ever see them wear PFDs. It just wasn't a family "tradition" with us.

Just been checking out the auto inflatables and will probably pull the trigger on a couple of those (so to speak) for Lady Scoutabout and me.

Those that have made the observation that even the best swimmer is no swimmer at all if unconscious are right on.

Also, my attitude was helped by an article in our local lake association newsletter about a guy who is sure he would have drowned last spring when his boat capsized (in an area we traverse all the time) had he not had the pfd on. The onset of hypothermia was rapid and surprising. He couldn't even hang on to the boat, never mind actually swim anywhere.

It's interesting to see an attiude of safety begin to percolate more completely through recreational sports. Last winter my wife and I returned to downhill skiing after a hiatus of six years. I was standing in the lift line idly looking around when I was struck by the fact that almost without exception all the adults around us were wearing helmets as well as the kids. We certainly weren't and it was absolutely the norm not to when we were last skiing. It makes perfect sense though considering the sport.

My attitude to boating has been out of whack too long. I shake my head when I see someone riding a motorbike in shorts and t-shirt without gloves and I leave my seatbelt fastened at all times on a commercial airliner. Time to get similarly anal on the water.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

I don't swim, so my PFD goes on at the boat launch and stays on until I'm back on land. Sometimes the straps get undone when it's hot out and we're not going very fast, but that's about it.

 

[sirtweek]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

The lake that me and my cousins usually fish on is not that large and usually pretty calm so we do not normally wear vests. We are going up to Sebago lake in Maine this weekend so depending on the weather we might wear them.

I do plan on start wearing the new Co2 vest when I got out alone though.

I have a couple ski vests and then a few orange style ones.

Just picked up a few Co2 ones from West Marine.

Link

 

[Kev144]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

Never wear them and probably never will. They basically sit up under the bow of my boat and dont leave. I probably should get in the habit of doing so because things get very scary at 90+ MPH. Once that chinewalk gets going, it's time to slow down!

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

Offshore, bay or lakes, day or night, warm or cold - everyone, all the time. No exceptions. I make that clean to everyone BEFORE they step aboard so there is no fussing about it later.

 

[uscboy]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

Only for watersports really.

 

[rondi]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

Don't even own one, just the "CGA orange uglys" that sit under the bow seats and they've never been worn.

 

[SooLineRob]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

I didn't vote because my use wasn't listed...

We go boating strictly on lakes, and traffic is very light.

PFD's remain stowed in the boat when not in use over the seat headrests; so if we fail (forget) to put them on, we end up sitting on them and causing discomfort since the clips to secure them will dig into our necks and backs. My rule for PFD wearing is:

At anchor in a no traffic area or "no-wake zone speed"; may be left on seatbacks (uncomfortable) or worn loosely (not clipped over chest).

All other times; securely fastened as designed to be worn and engine-kill switch lanyard secured to skipper.

Under NO circumstances are my PFD's stowed out of sight, and my throwable PFD is within reach of both the "Skipper and First Mate". It looks kinda funny seeing four empty seats "wearing" life vests when there's only two of us in the boat, but it works.

My "rule" for PFD's has created a "pre take-off checklist" procedure, and skipping a step becomes obvious prior to entering the open water...

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

I use a Mustang infllatable vest that doubles for a fly vest. Yeah, it cost a bit, but it's comfortable.

I'd rather be not needing it wishing it was off, than needing it wishing it was on.

Have one of these as well and usually wear it while fishing, more for the pockets than anything.

It is not an approved PFD so if your inspected, you better have a real PFD with you.

As well, it would be a good idea to blow it up and try it in the lake to see how well it supports. Hmmm. I really should try that sometime.

In general, I don't wear my real lifejacket. I'll have it nearby and will put it on if things get hairy (or if I'm cold), but in general, no.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

Never wear mine but have been in situations where it would have been a good idea. My observation has been that other than children, it is very rare to see someone wearing a vest. Only a matter of time though when we will all be required to wear one. In the last issue of BOAT US magazine, seems they are starting a safety issue push to have people wear them. Bet you the vest manufacturers think it is a really good idea! FRED

 

[mailman55]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

I do 100% of my boating on the Missouri Riverand I NEVER go out unless I have my auto co2 PFD on NEVER. I've seen too many pulled out of the river that could of been saved had they had some sort of life jacket on. The river seldome gives you a second chance. Have even thought about getting the kind that you can wear around your waist instead of your neck.

 

[mdunn]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

Always wear mine. Have a couple different styles depending on time of year and just bought the Mustang hydrostatic suspenders which I think will become my standard.
Water temp here in Puget Sound is chilly enough year around that your strength can be zapped out of you pretty darn quick.
And if hypothermia gets you at least they'll find the body quicker.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

I'm switching to one of the inflatables for comfort but I wear them all the time.

Sure they're uncomfortable. In the summer they're warm (so is a casket)

I'm a very strong swimmer, but if I fall out and smack my head entering the water, I lose the ability to swim.

My rule is everyone wears one. So, it's "Do as I DO, not as I SAY" Have to set an example. If everyone else should follow the rule, so should I.

 

[mthieme]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

I never wear mine although they are within reach.
I recently purchased and auto inflatable with the intent of actually wearing it
when I run my hydroplane.

 

[jkust]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

My wife and I do not wear them when underway while the kids always do. We all wear them tubing and my wife wears one swimming since the kids are always on her. I am going to buy auto inflatable type III's this winter for us since to me there is really no excuse not to wear one of those regardless of cost. We only boat on small lakes in MN. The last DNR check we went through, the DNR guys said lots of kids do not wear any vest so they were happy our kids had them on. The vests the kids have are so much more comfortable than the orange monsters we had to wear when we were kids back in the 70's and 80's.

 

[Mark42]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

Wow. I can believe how cavalier people are about wearing their PFD's. They used to call them Life Vests for a reason, because they save lives. Not just your's but it allows you to save someone who does not have one.

Weather is not the only event that can cause emergencies. In the best weather, boating accidents happen. People fall overboard. If they can't swim, they often sink like a stone. If you are doing 45mph when that happens, how long will it be before you are able to turn around and get back to where the person is? They sunk. How do you know where they are? You don't. There is wind. There is current. If they had a PFD on, they woudl be freaking out, but alive on top of the water.

My kids have had swimming lessons since they were 3 years old. Can they swim well in a pool? Yep. Can they swim in 2' waves for a while without a PFD? I doubt it.

I always wear my PFD when in the boat because once you are in the water, it is nearly impossable to put one on. Add a little panic and waves and you are in trouble.

Do as you please.

 

[mdunn]

Re: How often do you wear your life vest?

Wow. I can believe how cavalier people are about wearing their PFD's. They used to call them Life Vests for a reason, because they save lives. Not just your's but it allows you to save someone who does not have one.

Agree totally with above and would also add that by wearing your pfd you are less likely to put someone else at risk by having them go in the water to save you.