PFD AOK?

[slzer]

One more option

THey should have added one more category....."I dig out my PFD when the weater turns real bad, and keep it handy in case I get real worried."

 

[patrick]

Under way on deck

I always wear mine. At the dock tied up, probably not.We have autoinflate crewsavers with harnesses and like them fine. I also have a jacket with a built in manual inflatable which I wear a lot. My only critical observation about the crewsaver is that you should carefully read the instructions and repack them properly. The lifting strap can be packed in such a way that it is not accessible when inflated. The harness is useless without a tether. We found that out the hard way. There is no easy way to get a hold of the harness after the vest inflates.I do not believe that mandatory PFD regulations are necessary. We have a state rule (WA) for kids which good or not is the law here. I do not know the details as I require kids on my boat to wear them under way or away from the dock unless they are below decks.My only observation which may or may not have been mentioned already is that actual training is well worth the time and cost. Going into the water and experiencing the autoinflating process is very instructive and valuable. If you know what to expect, there is less for you to think about if and when you fall in accidentally. It also helps to know how to deflate the vest before you need to do so.Pulling someone who is helpless or injured back on board wearing all of their cold, heavy, slippery and wet clothing is something you won't ever forget. Try it in good weather and warm conditions with plenty of help nearby. I also enjoy drawing a smiley face onto a fender and throwing it over the side and telling my crew that it was me - not a fender. Then I watch them scramble to go back and pick it up - or not. My wife hates it when I do that. That is good information, too.

 

[James]

Just about all the time

In the calm waters of Alameda's estuary, we give ourselves a break from PDFs, but we don them the moment we go on deck or leave the estuary. And, we've learned, they're important to wear when dinghying about a harbor.

 

[jmcclain]

Bravo, Bravo!

As the first commentor on this thread, I have followed comments with interest. I am more than encouraged by the smart safe sailors who frequent this wonderful site. As I cruise toward Galveston Bay from our slip on Clear Lake, I often notice that I am one of the few wearing an inflatable. Perhaps it is a regional thing, or a Texas independence thing. I hope this changes soon!PRIORITY ONE - STAY ON BOARDAnother interesting pattern in the comments is the lack of comments about staying on the boat.I consider a PFD as a backup device. The most important safety system is the one that keeps you aboard. If you never fall overboard you won't need the PFD. Install strong eyebolts at key locations in the cockpit and other places where you frequently need to be on deck. Permanent clip points on deck will always be there when conditions change on a dime. Design and install a jackline system that you can rig in a momments notice when the weather turns ugly. Install your jacklines as close to the centerline as possible so that you stay on deck and not dangle over the side if you slip. Consider inexpensive harnesses for passengers not participating in the sailing effort.A SAFE SUMMER TO ALL!Jon McClain

 

[B Cooper]

Always wear one

As skipper I always wear an inflatable (dual auto and manual sospender model with harness) because it sets a good example to the crew and protects me if I go overboard. It is like a seat belt in a car, I feel more comfortable with it on. I encourage the crew to also wear one but do not insist on it in calm weather. But we always stress the importance of staying onboard as the first priority.

 

[Mark7500]

Texas bravado--not my crew!

We sail out of Corpus Christi and we always wear PFDs. Probably the most important reason is to set a good example as Jon said. One of our crew is our 6 year old daughter and if she has to wear a PFD then I think it's fair that so do Mom and Dad. We wear inflatable SOSpenders and clip on anytime we're out of the cockpit. The only time we don't wear a PFD is at dock. If offshore the dog has a PFD also (and we use jacklines, etc.)! Having said that, it's easy to put on PFDs when we've been insisting on their use for years and it does feel like a seatbelt when you don't have it on.Cheers

 

[huntersailer]

pfds

PFDs are required on my boat when the spray starts breaking over the bow or the wind picks up beyond 15 mph (remember it is only a 21 ft.er) On the small lakes where I sail, wind shifts are often dramatic and quick. We are always ready to be safe.On the other hand, wearing them all the time is a waste and a pain. However, everyone on a personal water craft should be required to have a full life jacket, capable of turning them over when unconscious and keeping them afloat, at all times. Those things produce sudden dumps into the water at high speeds and unconscousness is often the result. This kind of craft is responsible for almost all of the drownings. We need to insist that attention be paid to how and when drowning occur so that all of us do not pay the price for the (often alcoholic) stupidity of a few.

 

[Jack]

Always wear one

I always wear an inflatable dual auto and manual sospender model with harness the crew wears the same. All passengers wear dual auto and manual sospender model w/o harness.Children are not allowed on the dock or on deck unless they have a PFD on. The only place PFD’s are not required is down below

 

[Gord May]

reward for better design

From “Trade Only Today” - 3/30/2005Reward: $5,000 for a PFD with wear appealTwo marine industry organizations are looking for new technologies and “out-of-the-box” thinking to overcome the reluctance of many boaters to routinely wear life jackets.The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water and the Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association are sponsoring an “innovation in life jacket design” competition. Entries are being encouraged from armchair inventors to high school science clubs and collegiate design programs. The winning designer will get a $5,000 award.“We believe that out-of-the-box thinking may lead to the next generation of lifesaving devices,” said BoatU.S. Foundation president Ruth Wood in a statement. “By opening the competition to the widest audience of professionals and amateur tinkerers, we anticipate designs that will be creative and unconventional.”“Today’s life jackets are well designed but follow a defined and somewhat controlled set of guidelines,” said Bernice McArdle, executive director of PFDMA. “Our hope is that this competition will open up the playing field and encourage entries that will ultimately influence greater use of life jackets.”The competition will be judged based on four criteria: wearability, reliability, cost and innovation. Wearability relates to the level of comfort. Reliability will take into account the chances for potential failure, while cost will look at the affordability of the design. Innovation will take into account originality or the employment of new technologies.There are no rules regarding types of materials to be used or whether the design meets any current Coast Guard or Underwriters Laboratory standards. However, some entries may be submitted to the Coast Guard to review for possible financial assistance towards gaining full Coast Guard approval.Entries do not have to include a working model or prototype — detailed drawings will be accepted. Entries will be accepted from March 31 to Dec. 15. The winner will be announced at the Miami International Boat Show next February.Contact Ruth Wood at (703) 823-9550, ext. 3204, or rwood@boatus.com, or Bernice McArdle at (312) 946-6280 or bmcardle@nmma.org.www.boatus.com/foundation/lifejacketdesign

 

[T J Furstenau]

Feedback on Mustang vs Sospender?

With this timely thread, I'm looking to get inflatable PFDs for myself and my first mate. I've seen the Mustang pfds on sale, and they seem a little bit better priced than the Sospenders. Can anyone provide any feedback, pros/cons, etc for one brand over the other? I've considered the Sospenders as the benchmark that others are measured against. So has anyone seen/used both and prefer one over the other, and why?

 

[John Nantz]

Fit on Mustang vs Sospenders

To Furstenau: re your question. I don't know if anything has changed but as of a few years ago my personal feeling was that the Mustang fit better and was more comfortable. My wife and I have two Sospenders and one Mustang (hers) and I like her Mustang better. The Sospenders tend to get me right in the back of the neck which makes wearing them for any length of time very uncomfortable.Realize that the newer models may have changed and your experience with the fit may be different so the best thing would be to try them on. Also, the fit or comfort level is just one part of the purchase decision.

 

[jmcclain]

Get the One you find Most Comfortable!

Furstenau: Try them both and get the one that is most comfortable for you. They are both quality products. Be sure and get the one with an integral harness, then wear them until they feel a part of you!Jack: I applaud you for insisting on inflatables for everyone on board. My only comment is that I insist on harnesses. (IMHO) harnesses are more important than the PFD. If you stay attached to the boat, you won't need the floatation device.Have a great summer!

 

[David]

We have four Mustang inflatable PFDs

We wear always wear them on the water and have neverfound them uncomfortable or restrictive.David

 

[patrick]

Just curious

How many of you have actually tried out your PFDs in the water as a test to see how well they work, function, and feel in the water?My wife and I have in case you are wondering.

 

[John Nantz]

Patrick - In Puget Sound Water???

Brrrrrr!!!('nuf said!)

 

[patrick]

John, you can swim

comfortably in Birch Bay. The water gets over 70 degrees in the summer and hotter than that in Desolation Sound. You could use a swimming pool too.

 

[capn Bill]

always?

I put down always - but I wasn't being entirely truthful! I very seldom wear one when I'm out for a day-sail in "good" conditions. But - when there're guests aboard, or conditions are less than optimum, I enforce the PFD rule. Bill on STARGAZER

 

[Mike W.]

pdf, boating, swimming

Like many so far, I always wear a pdf - your basic sailing vest. And anyone on board wears one all of the time. Personally, I've never understood people that have things like life insurance, locks on their house doors, locks on their cars, locks on their boats, etc. but then refuse to wear a pdf (once you wear them you forget they are even on). What's the priority, your life or your color tv?I sail in mostly calm inland lakes, on a 17'er, mostly single handed, on busy lakes, and that is one of the highest risk situations for those exact reasons (I especially love it when some 40' power boater wakes me without a second thought). I have never thought much about a harness but my thanks to those who have mentioned it here, I'm going to give it serious thought now as that seems like great advice especially for single handing.Another related issue here I'd like to add is I have always believed that people who tread on water (such as boating) should be able to swim and I am all for mandating pdf's (we mandate seatbelts in cars, so no great difference to me). Then if someone who makes their own choice to drink, boat, not wear a pdf, not learn how to swim, let them pay higher insurance and rescue costs when the natural consequences of their choices turns bad!

 

[Darryl Crockett]

Here's to the prudent seaman

Way to go, Mike. You are undoubtably not one of those who put on your seat belt when you see an accident is likely to happen. I can't agree with you more; if you're not wearing your pfd when the knockdown happens, don't even dream of getting it on once you're in the H2O. BTW, ever try to don a pfd once you're in the H2O?

 

[cmcsailor]

Only in most dire of emergency

I think of the ones who are saying that pfd's should be mandatory whenever on the water as they sail on the perfectly sunny mild days. Statistically, did you know more people drown in car accidents than in boats so why do we not all don our helmets, pfd's,and other safety equipment and if we do not the authorities can fine us for not wearing them in cars too.  I feel a certain freedom when I sail my boat I am not very experienced but if we have mandatory rules it just takes away more of our freedom that till now has been heaven on earth when out on the water.