PFD AOK?

[FrankR]

No "Always" Choice???

I think "always" should have been a choice. Since I'm not the greatest swimmer and the water temperature isn't warm until August I usually always wear my like jacket. Anyone under 16 also wears a life jacket or they stay on the dock.

 

[tomfoolery]

inflatable

I know there are those who don't care for inflatable pfds but my wife and I both wear one almost every time we leave the dock. They are comfortable, non- obtrusive, and even though we are both good swimmers, and sailors, wearing them is second nature. I probably wouldn't do the same with a regular vest PFD although some of them look fairly comfortable.Why tell the kids -"wear your seat belts" if we don't do the same?

 

[AlanAnt]

Good Role Model

I have a 10 year-old son and usually a friend of his joins us. If I wear a PFD, then they have to wear one, too. Just like seatbelts, cycle helmets, and other safety devices, after awhile you feel naked without them. Even when I'm with others, I have enough for everyone, and I bring mine whenever I sail on someone else's boat.

 

[david]

99% of time

I sail boats under 17' so the chance of going over is higher. While I can swim well, I went in once in very cold water, which was near paralyzing. Since then I always wear my PFD. If the weather is real hot (and the water warm) I unzip it but still leave it on. Wearing one is good for peace of mind and a good example for my kids.

 

[Brad Newell]

lifevests?

Sailing locally means dealing with 50F water. My policy is to always wear a vest. All children will wear a vest aboard my vessel. Stubborn guests are allowed to satisfy themselves. (Adults should always be allowed to go hell in their own way.) Anyone on the foredeck when under sail without a lifevest must have a death-wish.

 

[Captain Kimo]

Belt Inflatable PFD

I always wear the belt inflatable style PFD. It does not automatically open in the water, but does have a CO2 cylinder with an attached lanyard to inflate. Hopefully, I will not be unconscience when hitting the water and can pull the lanyard.Guests on board are each given a PFD to size to their "shape" and they place it in the cabin to get to when need/ordered. Stress that Coast Guard test is they have to locate and don it in 20 second (not sure this is true, LOL).Stress that MacGregor 26X boat has built in flotation in bow and stern, and should climb to the top of the boat and out of the water in a sinking situation. While most of our sailing is on Lake Mead and within sight of land, most fatalities on the lake have been to hypothermia of swimmers trying to swim to shore and did not make it. Even in summer time air temperatures of 114 degrees, lake water at 85 degrees will dispate body heat quickly.

 

[Ralph McGraw]

When to Wear a PFD

When to wear your PFD? The question to ask yourself is, "Would I be able to don the PFD after the emergency situation has started". I would have to say in most cases NO!! I sell various types of PFD's and other flotation equipment. I talk with a lot of the emergency response teams in the midwest. When we talk about the bodies they are recovering and how they would be alive if only they had on their PFD's. Sad thing is that the boat they where in had many lifejackets. Just not being worn. This kind of knowledge could push the idea of PFD's being mandatory. Personally I do not like being told to wear them. Like seatbelt laws. But we are our own worse enemy.So the answer lies with you the individual. Wear the correct size and style PFD for the situation you are in. No one PFD fits all the requirements.Be safe and have a good summer this year

 

[BarryL]

sometimes

Hi,My kids (10, 7, 4) wear one on the boat unless they are in the cabin. I wear one if I am sailing solo. I will also put on one if the wind gets above 15 kts. Otherwise we have a lifesling and MOB ready to be deployed and keep floating cushions in the cockpit as well. To be honest, I don't feel the need to wear a PDF when we're moving slowly in a gentle breeze.I find that I wear my PDF more often in the dink when I have to row to the boat than I do in the boat. I think getting into / out of the dink, and rowing in chop is much more dangerous than sitting in the cockpit of the sailboat. Finally, I don't want to be told when to wear a PDF. It's fine to make rules for minors, but not for (supposed) adults.Barry

 

[Mark Johnson]

Another Insurance Co. fear tactic to improve profi

The insurance companies hate to bay benefits. They would rather we did nothing risky so we could all die as vegtables like Terry Schiavo.(What companies invest in the Health Care Industry?)It is always the insurance companies who want you to wear protective garb.DUIs, Seat Belts, Motorcycle Helmuts, no dving boards in swimming Pools, Bicycle Helmuts,and now PFDs.None of these things would even be thought of becomming law if not for the Insurance companies.Of course they enlist the help of those who have suffered a lose of a family member, or friend or their being crippled through an error of judgement causing an accident. this gets peoples emotions going.Are we adventurous as a species? I say yess. Should we take reasonable precautions? Yes. Who should decide what is reasonable in a given situation? The person in the situation, that is who.Why should we have to wear a PFD when there is no wind ad a boat or canoe is at anchor? Stupid, but that is what a mandatory PFD law would require. Imagine the Coast guard or any other authority enforcing that.The law would be used as a JUSTIFICATION to stop any boat so it could be inspected for drugs, contraband, or the incredible Government money making DUI SCAM. Or just to make money off your not wearing a PFD.DON'T LET IT HAPPEN!Sign me Mistrustful of all government protective motives.Mark Johnson, 61 years young.

 

[shunter98122@yahoo.com]

As Automatic as a seat Belt

I found that if one developes the habit as with a car seat belt, it comes naturally. Why compromise safety?

 

[KaiserBill]

Automatic inflatable pfds

I sail alone most of the time. I always wear my pfd. I am not a good swimmer. My kids bought me a Crew Saver automatic inflatbale pfd for Christmas. Haven't had a chance to use it yet I think that it will feel more confortable while on the boat. You just never know when you may find your self in the water.

 

[Jackie]

Remember....

... world class sailor Eric Tabarly? All of his life he refused to wear a PFD. That was certainly his choice. One night, while sailing with crew, he came up on deck just as his boat jibed. The boom knocked him overboard and he was never found. Would he have survived had he been wearing a PFD? Who knows. But what we do know is he wasn't wearing one and didn't survive....

 

[Joe Pauley]

I have them and never wear them

After reading all these comments I see why a PDF is so important.I do make my kids wear them but i rarely do. I know it doesnt make sence.What would happen to them if I went overboard and hit my head? Yikes THANK YOU for all your stories and suggestions.I think this summer we all will be wearing a PDF.

 

[Kurt]

Save us from ourselves???

I was a working sailor for several years and I wear a PFD whenever conditions merit--offshore, questionable seas, high winds, etc, but I don't want to be told I have to wear one. Parents/skippers should be responsible and make sure their kids should wear them if needed and passengers who can't swim well or have been drinking should wear them. Otherwise, let us use our judgement, and for those with bad judgement, well,...out of the gene pool with you!!

 

[Rick D]

More Often

I confess that I wear one more often now. Part of that is due to the inflatable PFD's and the belt-packs. They are more easily worn. Part may be just getting older. I still don't wear then all the time. I wear them when I am alone, at night, or when the crew is below. I am not a fan of jack lines, having tripped several times and having gear foul on them, but suspect it is a function of getting more used to them. I do know the chances of getting back aboard are slim to zero with many of my crew and family, so something to keep you afloat for a reasonable time seems prudent. I got whacked by the boom during an accidental jibe in the middle of no where and 125 miles off shore. I didn't go over, but certainly could have. Good lesson. Rick D.

 

[Richard Griffiths]

PFDs required on my boats

While sailing on the upper Chesapeake Bay with another boat, we became seperated by about 1/2 mile. The owner/skipper of the other boat fell overboard and his crew did not know how to maneuver their boat to pick him up. He was in the water for about 30 minutes before we recognized that his boat was in distress and sailed to his and his crew's rescue. This happened in July when the water was warm. Numerous power boats were in the area, but none of them appeared to notice the man in the water or the sailboat out of control. He thanked me several times affter we picked him up for insisting that PFDs be worn and for having MOB recover equipment on board and ready for use.

 

[Ed Strong]

when conditions merit

I sail alone much of the time and during those time I always wear a PFD. When I have crew we will where one when conditions merit (including cold weather). I beleive all childern should wear a PFD. However, as an adult I feel strongly that it is my choice.

 

[R Dunn]

Not all of the time....

I have a larger sailboat and the cockpit is fairly safe with existing railings and lifelines. However, everyone aboard is required to know where the PFDs are located and how to put them on correctly. Mandatory PFD situations on my boat are: (1)children (2)sailing alone and (3)rough weather. I do not want anyone dictating to me when and where to use PFDs...PFDs should be used at the discretion of the skipper. Boater education is the answer...not more government restrictions.

 

[Tony Price]

Dinghy Sailing

I am a dinghy sailor (Hunter 146) and we always wear PFDs, and I won't let anyone sail without one.I look at PFDs like seat-belts in cars and crash helmets on motorbikes - it is stupid not to use them whether it is mandatory by law or not. Who knows when a boom might hit you, or you might hit a rock or some other obstacle?... tp

 

[David Droppa]

Rarely

I rarely wear a PDF but I am a strong swimmer and sail only in summer, in a lake where I could probably swim to shore if I had to, although it would take a long time. The kids have to wear them, of course. In rough weather I do put one on. I figure God gave me the sense to know when I need it and when I don't. If it were mandatory, then I'd have to wear one when it's 95 degrees and the wind is dead and I'm wondering if I have to motor back in... and that seems kinda silly... not to mention hot!!