What's Your PFD policy?

[Rick9619]

Wow, didnt know it was this complicated

Are some of you really that strict. Liam, if your guests cant leave the cockpit, where do they pee? Can they take off the PFD to do it? John, you are just like us, we dont usually plan on sailing off the edge of the earth every time we go out. You know how hard it is to make a drink with water wings on. No.. it isnt easy. Good news is if you immerse our WM ones in beer, they dont auto inflate. Whew, first time I think I ever got a bargain from WM.Ah, you should have them, wear them if you want. Be a statistic if you want. Unless your local waters are the BVI, yes you have a choice. If you are far enough out to open the y valve, then dont go up on the foredeck without it. Gets dark at night too and that little strobe in the harness might be handy. They rest nicely on the spinnaker winches and are easy to get too when the winds are 18-22 and they dont seem to get in the way when your putting in a reef!Cheers

 

[Colin16557]

Not just on the boat!

Our basic rule is simple: If you aren't below deck and the boat is moving, you are wearing a PFD. Good inflatables make that an easy rule to live with. We also have another rule for kids: They wear PFD's on the docks as well. The only time our kids have fallen in, its been while looking at fish from the docks!As for being able to swim...I was unconscious as a knot or so of current swept me under the keel. I'm here because my inflatable worked. This happened while docking (foot fouled in the furling line, face plant on the dock edge), the hazards aren't just "out there"!

 

[Ferg]

My boat, my rules.....

My lovely First mate and I always wear ours on board. Inflatables make that not a big deal. Any child on board MUST AND SHALL wear a PFD. Fellow sailors who come aboard usually bring their own personal gear, and wear theirs when they see us with ours on before untying for the dock.Non-sailing adult passengers have the option of not, but will get a frown and even more restricted usage of the beer cooler if they don’t.Ferg

 

[TN]

"Policy" has to be negotiated most of the time

I find this issue has to be constantly negotiated, depending on the individuals involved and the sea/weather conditions. A strict policy seems unworkable when you are dealing with a recreational activity involving adults who are participating out of choice. I always wear a life jacket from the minute I open the cabin and put it on, even on nice days and especially around the dock. But that is because I am, by nature, cautious. My partner rarely wears one. He is not cautious by nature, and very independent. When I ask my guests who are not familiar with sailing to wear a life jacket, they almost always wear one. However, the guests on my boat who own thier own boats or who have lived on and around boats tend to reject being told what to wear, so I let them make up thier own minds. Usually, they stay in the cockpit, and if the weather is not wild, I generally accept that since the amount of risk is acceptable in that scenario. If they get more active and move forward or the weather turns poor, then I will insist even if it becomes uncomfortable.

 

[John5961]

And another thing...

At the risk of sounding too uptight, I have to admit we do not drink while we are sailing or right before we go sailing. We are usually "really" sailing only 2-4 hrs a day. The rest of the time our boat is the condo on the lake (tied up at the dock). Thats when we break out the wine (or beer).

 

[sailaway78]

Another good discussion

This is another interesting discussion, and like most on this board, shows a number of opinions. And as usual, some are adamant in their beliefs. Children are of course covered by law, and the decision on them is not open for discussion. Anyone who lets a small child on their boat without a PFD on, should go straight to jail, without passing goal. Those of us who sail in southerly climates are a little less at risk than those of you who sail in the frozen north. Most do not realize how much 50 degree water will incapicate them. One post mentioned this, but without survival gear of some kind, 50 degree water will leave you totally helpless in a very few minutes. I do not always wear a PFD, but I do always have one close by in the cockpit, and easy to get to. Makes a big difference to me whether I am single handing or with other crew, and also how well the other crew can handle the boat. I keep an inflatable with harness handy, and when offshore alone, usually wear it. My final desision is based on location, crew, water temp. and weather conditions. But when it is over 90 degrees, the water temp is over 80, the winds are dead calm and seas completely flat, I will be wearing a pair of shorts, no shirt, and not going to put on a PFD. When it's cold and nasty, and I am single handing, I will have one on. Between these extremes, it is up to the circumstances at the time. It is ever individual's decision and responsibility, not only for them but for every person on board their boat.

 

[Waffle]

Nice and Easy?

Jail? You want your taxes to pay for jail? NOT ME!!"Anyone who lets a small child on their boat without a PFD on, should go straight to jail"....Not 100% true. They are allow not to wear a PDF in the cabin.I think a large fine is a much better idea!

 

[sailaway78]

Pickin Nits

Waffle, there you go nit picking again. (GRIN) I was speaking in broad terms, and I would let a child take off a PFD in the cabin. But basically I think a few days in jail, would get someones attention more than a fine. Certainly would mine.

 

[richard]

never had anyone wear a pfd on my boat

ever, including myself (don't have kids on board); and we almost always drink while sailing.

 

[NautiDuck]

Natural Selection

No one gets on our boat with wearing a PFD at all times.On the other hand I agree that each captain should set the rules for his/her boat. After all, not wearing a PFD is a good way to weed weak minds from the gene pool.

 

[Hugh4753]

Another Reason

Lots of opinions here and most seem to be leaning toward wearing the PFD's in most cases. We use the inflatables and they don't seem to be to cumbersome or uncomfortable. One of the posters stated "my boat/my rules" and I think thats probably the attitude I'm gonna take if anyone balks at wearing a PFD. One other benefit I've noticed of wearing a PFD, and it may be just coincidental, but in the last year I've been out 3 times when the CG was boarding boats all around me. On all 3 occasions as they came up to me and saw that we all had on a PFD they waved and went to the next boat. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

 

[Scott]

Holier than thou?

There does seem to be a few responders that feel that it is their duty to inform the rest that only idiots sail without a pfd on at all times. And I heard one of those complain that the idiocy of those who drown will cause a mandatory law requiring that pfd's be worn at all times by everyone. It made me wonder, if you are one of those that insist that a pfd must be worn, and a mandatory law that requires this were to be put into place, what would you have to complain about? It's like the smoking bans that we now have in New Jersey. Since my wife and I never smoked in our lives, we were overjoyed when the ban on smoking in bars and restaraunts went into effect !But I think a more rational response is appropriate. We all sail in different circumstances and there is no rational solution for all circumstances. Well, I do think it is appropriate that states such as ours require any child under 14 to be wearing a pfd when a boat is underway (kids don't have to wear a pfd while at anchor - for instance small children can still swim off the boat while not wearing a pfd, but adults have to be present and attentive). For instance, Ferg's response is perfectly rational, given that Lake Superior will cause rapid hypothermia even in the heat of summer. I figure, if I feel like I can't swim in the conditions I am sailing in, it would be prudent to wear a pfd. If the boat can be easily capsized and the water cold enough for rapid hypothermia, then a wet suit or a dry suit is in order. Last weekend, I noticed that the crews of the entire fleet of scows that were racing on our lake were wearing wet suits or dry suits and pfd's since it was a chilly, windy day, and water temp was in the 60's.Vanity plays a part in the decision, for sure, and so does convenience and confidence. My wife and I regularly kayak on the Delaware River north of the Water Gap where the current is pretty quick in places and there are drownings not all that infrequently , given that there are so many people that canoe, kayak, raft, and tube down the river and it is treacherous in spots. We always have the pfd's on board as required but we don't wear them in the summer when we are swimming frequently in the current. It's a matter of confidence in our ability. One time, we had a guy about my age start to chastise us because we didn't have the pfd's on when paddling thru some faster water. He was puffing on a cigarette at the time. My wife told him to mind his own business and I basically laughed and told him that I believed that he would die from smoking before either of us died from drowning. *o

 

[richard]

weeding weak minds...

If the "weak minded" pfd non-wearers are less timid in other areas of life...recklessly chasing time tunnel without condom, they will make many more so called "weak-minded" humans than those who wimpily follow all the socialy correct rules of life.There is much more to living than simply staying alive! Evolution does not usually favor the meek...; and there are many different and varied types of mental "intelligence" to be selected upon.

 

[jackhartjr]

WOW!

Hi folks, haven't read all the posts, too busy getting ready to be married Saturday...However...after being on this forum the past almost two years...and listening to all you great folks...(Yeah even the ones that sometimes are not playing nice)...my policy is going to be PFD's underway. It's just not worth the risk. It's either on...or not...if you get thrown off the boat...I'll bet you won't have time to think about putting one on...much less time to do it!Again, thanks to all of you that have made me think about safety!Jack HartSEE-YA!

 

[Bob V]

Over-cautious?

I see that some posts have been removed...that's a good thing IMHO. One last comment to Mortyd-I think you may be a bit over caautious if you wear a safety harness during aerobics. You may even create more of a trip hazard for the other people at the gym. Or did you mean aerobatics?

 

[Waffle]

Well, look at the polls or numbers

look around and see how many people are wearing PFD and how many are not. See if you fit in or are the odd man out. Just becuase everyone does it doesn't make it right. Look a speeding for an example. I am sure that everyone who wears a PFD does not exceed the speed limit. They know the risk, fasten a seat belt and go the posted limit. They know how many people die each year from speeding, right? You never speed, right?

 

[caguy]

Jackhart, Don't forget your PFD on your honeymoon

Congrats

 

[abe]

I will only wear if........

1. alone2. leaving cockpit with mild to moderate conditions3. all will wear if moderate to severe conditions4. all will wear in dinghyabe

 

[Gregg9020]

Here is my policy

Kids under 16 have to have them on......... No questions (my kids actually don't mind them) Motoring around in and out of the channels... I leave it up to the people on my boat. Once sails go up (NO MATTER THE CODITIONS) the jackets go on. No questions or the person or people are taken to the nearest dock and let off. I sail one of the most challenging bodies of water, THE San Francisco Bay, and I have sailed up and down the California Coast, so I typically have more experience on my boat then the guests, so it is my way or the highway.BTW... I have never had anyone refuse to wear one either.

 

[sailaway78]

Overly Cautious

Since some of you seem to be totally focused on not doing anything, that might possibly be harmful So to those of you who think this way, I would like hear some opinions on this. How STUPID AM I. I am on my way to Dallas tomorrow, to race motorcycles. I will be 69 years old on June 14. I am going to race a 6 hour endurance race, with my oldest son. So, am I risking taking up precious resources such as ambulance, hospital space etc. YEP. Am I risking bodily injury. YEP Have I balanced these risks against the enjoyment I will get from doing this, and spending quality time with family. YEP Those who so desire can live the safe life. I am personally going to push the envelope as far as I can push it, as long as I can push it. The Yucatan, Belize and points south are in my future plans. Across the gulf, very possibly single handed, and I will more than likely not be wearing a PFD at all times. So, go ahead and tell me how totally stupid I am. Then sit back in your rocker and watch me enjoy my life as much as I can, in the way that I see fit and that I truly enjoy.