Lifejacket use/non-use

[Rick D]

Here's a link to a SAIL blog that says we may be getting too compulsive on lifejacket use. I know that in California, we have big posters on all the Marina gates hammering us to wear them and suggesting we are irresponsible if we don't. Knowing California, it's probably just a matter of time when it's mandated. I wear one when I am going on deck alone when cruising and when racing, and always at night. I try to have guests wear one on deck when out and have fanny packs available for that.
http://www.sailfeed.com/2015/10/to-...utm_content=textlink&utm_campaign=enewsletter

 

[justsomeguy]

Come to Mexico.

 

[Kermit]

I wear an inflatable at all times while underway. I've never fallen overboard and hope to never do so. But if I do I hope it'll take my old weak body sinking out of the equation. My boat my choice.

 

[thinwater]

Look in any sailing magazine. Perhaps 1 out of 30 ads will show a PFD in use, and that will be an ad for PFDs or dingies. Even the ads in sailing forums.

 

[ben payne]

funny thing is i use one all the time. usually for a backrest when reading,but they do make good foot rests too. as for safety, i hardly ever have to leave the cockpit, and if i do i'll just put on a harness and clip in. however when friends come on with kids, they have to wear one any time they are above deck. and the marina has an under 18 on the dock policy, although rarely enforced.

 

[25yearslater]

About time someone stated the obvious. A false sense of security at best. When the water is barely above freezing a PFD is a sure way to die a little more slowly. That is if the gasp reflex doesn't end you first. I myself have hundreds of thousands of miles at sea and the only time I have worn a lifejacket was during a lifeboat drill. I do clip in at night on the foredeck or alone in the cockpit. My primary method of overboard protection comes from a fellow I worked with early on. He got his start aboard the Danmark. "One for the sea and one for me," as he raised his left hand and then his right was his mantra. I have them aboard and guests are free to use them if they choose. All that aside, here is a little 'secret' I learned at The U.S. Army Transportation School many years ago. Your pants and shirt are an excellent PFD. Tuck your shirt in or hold it shut at the bottom with a belt. Next tuck the collar in at the neck and button it all the way up. Here comes the fun part. Open two buttons midway down your torso and hold this open. Take a deep breath and roll forward so when you exhale the bubbles rise into the opening. Close it and repeat this process as needed to fully inflate your shirt. Remain in a dead man float breathing as necessary. The second involves the pants. Remove them and tie the bottom of the legs in an overhand knot. Holding the waist open, quickly whip them over your head from behind and holding the waist at the lowest point in the water gather it and hold it closed. Viola, water wings. Repeat as necessary.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I recently read of someone's experiences, who suggested that one deal with the edge of your deck as a 500 foot cliff. Good advice. I do.

Need to wear them coming, going and during all races here.

The original article posted in his link ends:

Seriously, it’s time we all started to think for ourselves again. What has happened to us? Why do we all just follow along like a bunch of sheep? It’s not just pfd’s, it’s everything. It’s time we recouped some of that independence we once had and started to believe in ourselves again and take responsibility for ourselves. We have all become pathetic little yes-men, err and yes-women too.

Heck, that's why I go sailing!

 

[Daveinet]

On a calm day, I don't bother, as I could nearly walk across the bottom of the lake were I normally sail. I do normally have it on when its cold, or I'm moving about, as I had a few times were the padding in the life jacket has saved me from a bruise or two. There are some times when I were it just to keep warm.
Its kind of like wearing a motorcycle helmet. Most of the time I wear one, but when I don't, I'm much more aware of my surroundings and ride more cautiously.

 

[agprice22]

I imagine there are contingencies to a primary method of flotation. So much easier to just wear a comfortable PFD. Takes two seconds to put it on, doesn't get in the way. I forget I have mine on. Do we still refuse to wear a seatbelt in our cars? I agree that we always leave one hand for ourselves, but PFDs were invented because people fall overboard. If it never happened, we wouldn't have them. What is our reason for not using a simple safety device?

I agree we do not need more rules and regulatory agencies, but we need to behave in a way that sets an example for people less experienced and skilled. We need to behave in a way that makes regulation unnecessary. Let them regulate the fools. When I wear one, it says I take this seriously to all who see. It costs me nothing. I avoid power struggles with regulation at the same time I protect myself and set an example by wearing them. PFDs don't make sailing less fun!

 

[Joe]

This conversation sounds similar to the motorcycle/bicycle helmet controversy. I never want to go in the water..... but that doesn't mean I won't wear a pfd to prove my determination. Here's the deal... if you own a pfd, it is worthless unless it's being worn.
I recently fell off the dock into the water, while tying on my boat's sun cover. Heavy clothes, the cold water shock, and the the exasperating effort of trying to climb out by myself soon exhausted me... if I'd have had my PFD on .. at least I would have been confident enough to swim back around to the stern ladder... but the panic of realizing I needed help when no one's around overruled the moment... so I started yelling for help.. fortunately a live aboard on the adjoining dock who had access to mine... heard my calls and was able to help....
So here's the point... if in the unlikely event you do fall in the water... the PFD may keep you alive long enough to be rescued... For instance, up near Oceanside, Ca a few years back, a jet skier fell off and lost contact with his craft while riding a mile or two off shore. He spent the entire night drifting in the water and was found alive the next day by a passing boat.... would he have been that lucky with out a pfd... I think not.

 

[25yearslater]

What I can deduce is the risk tolerance is as varied as sailors themselves. Each has to make the choice for themselves which is what the article was trying to convey. Several factors come in to play when deciding when or if to wear a PFD. Risk tolerance, physical fitness and agility, situational awareness, geographic area climate and whether alone or with crew. Sweeping generalizations are often the best way to induce skepticism since there will be anomalies to every rule. One other generalization we are familiar with is smoking will give you lung cancer. We all know not everyone who smokes gets lung cancer. I liken smoking to Russian Roulette. Do you want to take that chance? Going down to the sea in ships has always been a risky proposition. That's life. If anyone is looking for guarantees about anything in life they are going to be disappointed. How many actually fall overboard and die each year? What are the number of fractured skulls or concussions resulting from impact with a boom? Are we going to mandate helmets? Look at the America's Cup safety gear. Body armor in the event someone gets thrown into some equipment? Are we going to mandate that? My position remains if it makes you feel more secure then by all means wear one. I have people who sail with me that due to their physical ability being impaired do wear one. Good for them. It doesn't make them less in my eyes anymore than my not wearing one makes me a daredevil in theirs. In fact one common comment I have received from the folks I have introduced to sailing is they feel extremely safe with me. Just some stuff to consider.

 

[Bill Roosa]

an observation:
Until quite reciently sailors did not even have PFDs. Centuries of sailing guys. I suspect that they did not fall in much because they were more aware and salty. Also boats/ships were not designed with sugar scoops and such to put you in close proximity to the water with out a rail or life line.
The only time I wear one is when in the dingy (it is the law here) and when we are underway and I have to go over the stern rail for some reason.
The First Mate and I have both fallen off the stern when underway and we had our PFD both times. I'm thinking that if i did not have the PDF on I would have been much more careful and not fallen off!!! FWIW

 

[David in Sandusky]

Here are some Mid-West, calm water events we or our friends have experienced:

Calm weather knockdown: a mass of cold air falls off the top of a thundercloud 25 miles away, and 50 knot winds knock down a sailboat rigged for calm weather.

Wake of a power boat turning around a sailboat is focused by the turn making a 3 foot wake into a 6 foot square wave, sending 3 feet of green water over the bow and down the decks.

A corroded fitting gives way in medium air, and the rig comes down, dragging sheets and stays over the deck.

Inattention to light wind leads to an accidental gybe.

We wear inflatable pfd's whenever we are on deck under weigh. We clip on to hard points or jack lines as wind and waves pick up. Honestly we don't notice these habitual precautions. It's exactly like seat belts. The stuff you don't expect is usually the stuff that kills you.