How important are PFD's (lifejackets)?

[Bob_VT]

Re: How important are PFD's (lifejackets)?

A $5.99 PFD is far cheaper to use when you consider the price of a funeral.<br /><br />Let common sense and safety prevail.<br /><br />Bob

 

[CBRich]

Re: How important are PFD's (lifejackets)?

In the SF Bay the sail boat racers are now required by the race rules to wear PFDs. There are a lot of different comfortable and practical types and although each boat carries the manditory most of us regular crew has our own favorites. The rules came about after a few regattas ended with fatalities. Many people die right at the boat. Cold makes them too weak to pull themselves into a boat (especially with a high freeboard)and a wet 200 pounder isn't easy to lift either. Fishing I really never wore them. Once as a lark I tried to put one on while in my pool. You really can't do it in the water. Now I put my inflatable sailing pfd on while fishing in the bay or ocean. Its become a habit since it was required by the racers. I never wore my seatbelt either until it became the law now I feel naked without it. Guess I'm just a little slow and dumb (and older and wiser).<br />Weve lost a lot of sailors, fishermen and duckhunters in this area (including the delta)every year. None with PFDs on. Try to swim with waders on. So eventually we'll all wear them. It just makes too much sense and you can end up in the water much too fast to have time to think about putting on a pfd. Than's my $.02.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: How important are PFD's (lifejackets)?

I was taught at a early age to wear a life jackett. Back then it was one of them orange looking creatures that was to say the least ugly. Now I am like some other's in this post, if you ride you wear, no exceptions. Don't matter if it's on the bass boat, jon boat, or pontoon, if the big motor is going, the PFD's are on and if the water is rough, they stay on. Just my .02 worth. As the old saying goes "Better to be safe than sorry"

 

[flashback]

Re: How important are PFD's (lifejackets)?

not worth a **** if you don't wear it........

 

[SJ Striper]

Re: How important are PFD's (lifejackets)?

I bought very good PFD's through Cabela's. Very comfortable so you don't mind wearing them. $50 each. Neopreme collars, mesh shoulders. I drift fish at night by myself, were it all the time.