Life vests- wondering what everyone does... adults wear?

[Texgirl]

We are about to purchase our first boat. I understand we need enough life vest on the boat for every person and also in Texas that kids under 13 must wear one while under way. My question is what is your personal policy on your boat?

My husband is new to boating, I grew up on a boat... so he is thinking everyone including adults need to wear one while underway.. which is the safest thing to do of course. I am thinking some adults will not want to do that... so I am wondering what other people do?

I am thinking of getting a few of the inflatable for us in my family, some kids jackets for water sports and few adult nice ones for tubing etc and the rest basic ones to meet the criteria.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[dingbat]

Something to think about....inflatables must be worn to count as life preservers.

Wear the inflatables all the time or have X number of class 2 and class 3 jackets onboard to cover your head count.

 

[ThomW]

We have enough jackets on the boat for all the passengers we take out. We have a few "nice" ones for tubing and what not, and they rest are just basic jackets. Our 2 kids wear their jackets anytime we are underway, however, my wife and I do not. We offer jackets to guests, but don't force any adults to wear them. It should be noted that we are on a lake, and cruising along on a pontoon boat. Would probably be different if we were on coastal waters. That is just what we do, our own personal choices. We reside in upstate NY. Cheers.

 

[JASinIL2006]

We do pretty much the same as ThomW. If we're out on the Mississippi and the weather kicks up, we might put them on, but generally not.

 

[alldodge]

I am thinking some adults will not want to do that

First thing is its your boat YOU make the rules and YOU are also responsible. If anything goes wrong you will be asked by USCG or law enforcement what happened Folks that do not agree stay on the dock

Need at least one type IV throwable

I'm on inland lakes and carry Type III for everyone, also have a few type II just in case

 

[briangcc]

I carry enough for everyone on board...and a couple extra...and a couple throwables (they double as booster seats for the kids). The deal with life jackets is this - they have to want to wear them.

To that end, my kids all have neoprene (or equivalent) life jackets as the nylon ones were too rough against their skin. I pay more but the kids WANT to wear them AND do not give me any grief since they are comfortable.

My wife and I have more traditional ones and I carry a few in varying sizes. I also encourage those that don't like my selections to bring their own.

I generally don't wear a life jacket nor does my wife. I do secure my safety lanyard and have taught both my oldest boys the basics of moving the boat if they needed to - they're 8 and 6 this year.

 

[southkogs]

For us, the first rule was the skipper calls the shots. If they say life jackets on, then that's the plan. We had class 2 and 3 on board - a couple particularly for watersports.

Typically, my kids wore life jackets on the dock or in the boat until they were confident swimmers. (Maybe 6 or 7yo?) And life jackets underway in the boat until they were stronger, confident swimmers. (Maybe around 10yo?)

Otherwise - for us, young children, those who can't swim, people who are nervous with water and boats, or those who wish to wear life jackets. Younger kids, I prefer something that holds their head up - sometimes the the type 3s don't do that well.

... until the skipper instructs otherwise

 

[Leardriver]

We put them on in bad weather, and any time someone is in the water swimming. No free range swimmers allowed.

 

[Texgirl]

all great advice! Thanks so much.. all of the kids are older... 12 and up.. my son is 12 and his friends. All good swimmers but we will make them wear while in motion. I think my husband is just super nervous about everything until we get more comfortable which is a good thing.. can't be too careful! so, we shall see but I am thinking for sure kids wear its the law anyway.. and adults if they choose unless as several people said my husband feels better with everyone wearing while in motion at first.. it will all be ok but thank sooo much for explaining how you all handle on your boats. really appreciate it!!

 

[JimS123]

I have a type III for every person in the boat. They are stowed in a compartment under the port helm and that's all that's in there. They are accessible in just a few seconds.

We have the heavy duty ones with 4 buckles that are rated for high speed. These are also the ones we wear when we are on our jetski. They are quite comfortable. The sizes we have are specifically rated for men or women. The cut is a little different and we've had nobody complain about them yet. I've tried neoprene and they feel OK, but they make me sweat too much so I won't wear one.

We don't have little kids any more, but when we did we used Stearns exclusively, and there is a model and size to fit anyone from toddler on up.

For normal calm water slow going situations the adults don't wear them. When we traverse the river that has a 15 mph current on our way to Lake Erie, we all don them for awhile.

Additionally, I have one single inflatable that I use all the time only when I go fishing solo. It has a ring on the bottom and the engine lanyard is always connected to it when underway.

 

[Yegboats]

My family all wear their jackets while under way.Half the time we forget they're on. We have jackets for guests but it's up to them if they wear them.

 

[gm280]

The issues with life preservers is, it has absolutely nothing to do with if you can swim or not. So many serious life and death situations happen so quickly that no one has chance to get their life vest before they are in the water. Then it is everyone for them self and hopefully you are not unconscious at that time. Good swimmers sounds great until you add in water temps and such. The perfect swimmers don't make it for one reason or the other from so many other issues at the time. Wearing a life vest makes so much sense I just wear mine any time I'm in the boat. It really doesn't hinder me in the least... JMHO

 

[FunInDuhSun]

My question is what is your personal policy on your boat?
.... so I am wondering what other people do?

Im a bit of a safety nut so i keep a variety of life jackets onboard, bunch of orange cheapies, 3 or 4 ski jackets, and 3 inflatables.
On my boat, before departing with newbies, I show all the guests the jackets and their location. I then ask if there is anyone who can’t swim- and to be honest about it, and also ask if there is anyone that is uncomfortable NOT wearing a PFD. Those people get to pick the one they want to wear and I assist them with any adjustments.
As for myself, even though I’m a strong swimmer I wear a collar- style automatic inflatable EVERY time I leave the dock. It’s something I started about 10 years ago because I often go out solo. Now i feel naked without it I really like them because they’re not bulky or cumbersome at all! Every 2 years I test my inflatables by literally jumping into the water. It’s good practice and also confirms that they’ll work when needed. Re-arm kits are easy to find.
Since I boat in relatively big waterways I only buy the ‘offshore’ inflatables. They have about 3x the bouancy of the coastal ones. I usually recommend the non swimmers wear one.

 

[Texgirl]

Im a bit of a safety nut so i keep a variety of life jackets onboard, bunch of orange cheapies, 3 or 4 ski jackets, and 3 inflatables.
On my boat, before departing with newbies, I show all the guests the jackets and their location. I then ask if there is anyone who can’t swim- and to be honest about it, and also ask if there is anyone that is uncomfortable NOT wearing a PFD. Those people get to pick the one they want to wear and I assist them with any adjustments.
As for myself, even though I’m a strong swimmer I wear a collar- style automatic inflatable EVERY time I leave the dock. It’s something I started about 10 years ago because I often go out solo. Now i feel naked without it I really like them because they’re not bulky or cumbersome at all! Every 2 years I test my inflatables by literally jumping into the water. It’s good practice and also confirms that they’ll work when needed. Re-arm kits are easy to find.
Since I boat in relatively big waterways I only buy the ‘offshore’ inflatables. They have about 3x the bouancy of the coastal ones. I usually recommend the non swimmers wear one.

great info.. thanks so much... I will check into those.

 

[Texgirl]

The issues with life preservers is, it has absolutely nothing to do with if you can swim or not. So many serious life and death situations happen so quickly that no one has chance to get their life vest before they are in the water. Then it is everyone for them self and hopefully you are not unconscious at that time. Good swimmers sounds great until you add in water temps and such. The perfect swimmers don't make it for one reason or the other from so many other issues at the time. Wearing a life vest makes so much sense I just wear mine any time I'm in the boat. It really doesn't hinder me in the least... JMHO

I agree.. it really is safer to wear them at least when in motion... thank you!

 

[Sprig]

Close to 100% of the people who drown in lakes and rivers are not wearing a PFD. You and your spouse are captains of your boat. What you say is the law in your boat. If you want people to wear a PFD in your boat then there’s no arguing, they wear them or they don’t get in your boat. End of discussion.

 

[roscoe]

I often go out solo, so I wear one.

And I am the boat operator, so I wear one when others are on board too.
My passengers fall into 3 categories, old and feeble, too young to operate a
boat, and old enough but totally inexperienced. They may be able to maneuver
the boat somewhat, but they rely on me getting them home, so even if I go over,
I need to live so they can get home.

Some waters we boat in ( Ontario Canada ) require a pfd be worn at all times. So it has
just been real easy to push that rule to "all the time."

They are a great extra layer of insulation in colder weather, and leave really cool tan lines in the hotter months.

I have 4 different types on board, ranging in price from $20, to $275.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Close to 100% of the people who drown in lakes and rivers are not wearing a PFD. You and your spouse are captains of your boat. What you say is the law in your boat. If you want people to wear a PFD in your boat then there’s no arguing, they wear them or they don’t get in your boat. End of discussion.

As above.

I have 2 inflatables 1 for me and 1 for my 1st mate who ever he or she be for the day. I never take mine off. 99% of the time we are fishing when in the boat, we do not go for boat rides. If we do take out someone for a boat ride everyone on board has a PFD on. I will ask our guest(s) if they can swim. When I get the Öh yea, we have a pool in the yard." I always reply, "Do you swim 5 miles of laps, because we are 6 miles from shore." The inflatables are so comfortable that I have been miles from the marina and realized I still have my inflatable on!!!

 

[achris]

Sounds like the rules are the same here (-32, 116) as in USA. I have enough jackets that meet legal requirement for all onboard. I carry all required safety gear, plus a few thing I think should be mandatory, like a 'Vee' sheet, and a smoke canister. I also carry 2 marine radios that cover different bands (27MHz and VHF).

As for wearing... I've been boating all my life, I'm a strong swimmer (and scuba diver). I don't bother wearing a jacket. I don't even like having one on. I also work offshore (did before the zombie apocalypse shut everything down :-(), and I'm very familiar with wearing them.

A few years ago I was planning a RIVER trip for 6 people (a small part of a gaming group I was a member of) on a section of the river about 50 metres wide and no more than 2 metres deep at any point. The journey was to be about 2 kilometres each way. I had 4 jackets on the boat, and was happy for anyone who wanted to wear one to have one. The legal requirement was no lifejackets required (enclosed/protected waters). A member of the gaming group, who was NOT part of the trip plan, started really getting into me for not carrying lifejackets for everybody onboard, and enforcing the wearing of them. He created such a stink, even after I pointed him at the relevant legislation, calling me irresponsible and a menace on the water. I ended up cancelling the whole thing.

Life jackets.... Carry the legal requirement, give a life jacket to anyone who wishes to wear one, and don't nag those who don't. (Children don't get a choice, they wear one!)

Chris......

 

[dingbat]

Sounds like the rules are the same here (-32, 116) as in USA. I have enough jackets that meet legal requirement for all onboard. I carry all required safety gear, plus a few thing I think should be mandatory, like a 'Vee' sheet, and a smoke canister. I also carry 2 marine radios that cover different bands (27MHz and VHF)

Chris......

Not sure what a “vee” sheet is.

Flares replace smoke canisters. We’re Also required to carry one throwable device, with rope.

Surprised you don’t have DSC and an EPIRB

The unfortunate part is that life jackets give people a false sense of security. They keep you from drowning..they don’t keep you from dying.....

How many have put on a life vest and jumped overboard in an attempt to get back into the boat unassisted?

Could you do it?

What is your plan to get back in the boat?

The majority of my boating is done when water temps are in the low 40’s to near 70 degrees.

Most die of hypothermia related issues long before they drown. Doesn’t matter if your 50 feet or 50 miles from shore, your in big trouble the minute you hit the water unless you can get out of the water or your wearing a survival suit.

Life jackets simply make the body easier to find. Still crab bait at the end of the day.