A PFD reminder

[chp]

A sad Canada Day sailing day today. After a very windy a rough water sailing day today, my wife and I witnessed a drowning. Coming in from Lake Ontario in through a canal to where we launch we noticed a small power boat sinking. We proceeded with other boats to assist. Lots of debris in the water and some kids on the boat. They were wearing PFD's and someone was there getting a tow ready and possible rescue. There was also an adult on board and the bilge pump was running.
We proceeded to the dock and tied off when the rescue boat pulled up beside us with someone on board getting CPR. What we found out was he was the father of the kids and the boat got swamped. He fell out and had no PFD. He was DOA and never revived.
I always wear my inflatable when on my own and usually when I go forward when with others, but the last couple of years I have become complacent. I still wear it on my own, but almost never when with others when going up front.
This was a bit of an eye opener to how fast you can loose your life and affect others. This guy was pulled out in only 5 minutes and didn't survive.
From now on PFD whenever leaving the cockpit.
Happy 4th of July and sail safe.

 

[vizwhiz]

Thanks for the reminder! Always good...

 

[Kayakeur]

PFD. Like a seat belt in a car, you wear it 10,000 times, nothing happens.
Until one day you crash. Live with it, die without it.
One day I saw a police boat come in with a dead guy. He was canoeing on the river and tipped over. He had a life jacket with him. Tied inside the canoe. "It can't happen here."
Question: If you have to go forward when the weather is kicking up, does anyone clip into a lifeline? I'm refitting a MacGregor Venture Newport 23 for singlehanding and would be interested in how some of you handle this, equipment-wise and dancing on the deck.

 

[uncledom]

There can be a lot of force applied to your clip point. A real jack line is a better idea. If you want to go on the cheap it can be set up to go from cleat to cleat to cleat to give you access to the deck while still being clipped in. If you go over the side it is very difficult to bring yourself back in so make sure the set up is such that it keeps you within the life lines if possible.

 

[Kermit]

I try not to harp on this but since you brought it up...
So the father had other people on board with him. I have a feeling he was in his cockpit. The boat swamped. They weren't able to rescue him. That's exactly why I wear my lifejacket at all times. I want to be able to float so they can come get me. So the entire argument about wearing it only when you're leaving the cockpit wouldn't have helped this father. Well, it actually didn't help this father. Your boat your choice but I wear mine at all times. I guess I still don't understand why parents think they're not going to sink and drown.

 

[mm2347]

It amazes me that often thousands of dollars are spent on electronics and little on P.F.D.s . Yesterday there was a fishing tournament that started and finished at the marina I moor my boat. All competitors (about 60+ boats) started at once but in s numbered order and had to pass an official boat. It was required that all needed to be wearing PFDs at that time. It was not unusual to see guys wearing cheap, dirty, and uncomfortable ones ( but legal) that prob. came off soon after passing the official. The majority of the boats had huge outboards, metal flaked heavily, glowed with large fishfinder screens, and had both sides wall to wall w/fishing rods. How could a comfortable PFD be not included? Oh, I forgot, Most were pros.

 

[Kayakeur]

An excellent swimmer, excellent experienced sailor, doesn't matter if you hit your head on the way out of the boat or injured you or the water is cold or you were drinking alcohol, or nobody saw you go overboard or the others aboard don't know how to turn the boat around or, or, or . . .
However, with a pfd on, one cannot show off one's manly physique or womanly physique.

 

[Captmayhem]

so this weekend just gone, our sailing club was asked to line the route of the swimming section of a triathlon. 100s of swimmers, most young very very fit looking, we anchored up maybe 300yards from shore in our spot, watching for swimmers in trouble, what shook me was how long it took good, fit, strong swimmers to cover that much water.
I assumed with it being a little biddy lake, if I fell in, I'd swim to shore.
Having seen these people I honestly think without a pfd, I'd be dead within 10 boat lengths!
Was great to volunteer, but I think the effect was worth it.

 

[walt]

cover of Sept 2017 issue of Sail Mag..

 

[Kermit]

cover of Sept 2017 issue of Sail Mag..
View attachment 139864

At least she's well-supported.
-or-
She's got nothin' on the Boat Babe.
-or-
Those glasses aren't safe for direct solar viewing.

 

[thinwater]

I would bet the drowning victims mentioned were actually non-swimmers. They thought they could swim well enough, because they had splashed in the waves, the pool, and could paddle a little. But they were not open water swimmers. In that case, sailing without a PFD is lunacy. I my case, and in the case of many sailors, things are a little different. For example, a few weeks ago I treaded water for nearly an hour while cleaning the hull; mask, but no snorkel or fins. Yes, I frequently wear a harness when solo and frequently at night or in foul conditions. My jacklines are inboard and are permanently rigged.

• Alcohol. I will have a single beer, but if you are so toasted on board that you safety while swimming is an issue, you have a drinking problem.
• Cold. I wear a dry suit when it gets cold, specifically when alone. A PFD won't help if you singlehand, which mostly, I do. A dry suit will keep you not just safe but comfortable for 10 hours or more.
  
• Hitting head. Could happen. Not damn likely on my boat. World sailing has considered a policy on helmets, but concluded there was little evidence supporting that it would help. I can see the need on fast boats, having flown through the air a few times.
  
• PFDs. I wear one when paddling white water. I wear a harness frequently, as needed. Even landing big fish, if the gate is open.