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

[Old Ironmaker]

:fish2:irate:irate:irate:irate:irate::flame:

I often go out solo, so I wear one.


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."

I am in Ontario as well, the north shore of Lake Erie due south of Hamilton. I'm not familiar with the mandatory PFD waters. A great idea actually then there isn't an argument about wearing one. A PFD should be mandatory on The Great Lakes. I wear an inflatable PFD when wading and fishing. I have taken a fall and have been swept away by very fast water in the Kawartha's.

My 1st post with emogies. Can't beat em' join em'.

 

[achris]

Not sure what a “vee” sheet is.

https://www.whitworths.com.au/safety-v-sheet

Fits perfectly over my canopy. Designed to be seen from the air, and is a recognised international distress sign.

Flares replace smoke canisters.

We are required to have flares also. I have the smoke canister AS WELL AS the flares.

We’re Also required to carry one throwable device, with rope.

Surprised you don’t have DSC and an EPIRB

Here's the FULL list of the minimum I'm required to carry to venture into 'open waters'.

1. Boat driver's licence.
2. Life jacket that meets standard AS 4758 - Level 100 for each person on board. (and carrying a life jacket that doesn't meet the standard, regardless if you have enough of the right ones, is an offense)
3. Bilge pump (or bucket/bailer)
4. 1kg fire extinguisher
5. Anchor and enough line for the depth of water I'll be working or traveling through.
6. Flares. 2 red rocket and 2 orange smoke, dated within 3 years.
7. EPIRB
8. Marine radio (either 27MHz or VHF)

That's the minimum. I carry HEAPS more than that. I have both 27MHz and VHF radios, I have 3 anchors, 41 flares (21 red rocket and 20 orange smoke), as already mentioned, a Vee sheet. I also carry a heap of spares and tools for the engine.

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.....

Completely agree.

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?

As part of my offshore training, yes I have, and with many of the life jackets on the market that actually meet the standard, no you can't get back on a boat without a proper ladder. Which, as I dive, my boat has.

What is your plan to get back in the boat?

Most would need to remove the jacket.

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

Our waters never get much colder than about 16 degrees, so hypothermia isn't a big issue here (until you've been in the water for more than about an hour.

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.

Yep

 

[gm280]

WOW this is turning into "What is the best 2-cycle oil to use" thread. It seems after it all is said and done, it doesn't change one person's own opinion or mind about wearing them or not... Everyone has their own reason for wearing a PFD or not and that's about it!

 

[achris]

WOW this is turning into "What is the best 2-cycle oil to use" thread. It seems after it all is said and done, it doesn't change one person's own opinion or mind about wearing them or not... Everyone has their own reason for wearing a PFD or not and that's about it!

Pretty much...

But I did hear once that Canada has gone full 'nanny state' and legislated that life jackets are to be worn at all times.

 

[roscoe]

:fish2:irate:irate:irate:irate:irate::flame:

I often go out solo, so I wear one.


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."

I am in Ontario as well, the north shore of Lake Erie due south of Hamilton. I'm not familiar with the mandatory PFD waters. A great idea actually then there isn't an argument about wearing one. A PFD should be mandatory on The Great Lakes. I wear an inflatable PFD when wading and fishing. I have taken a fall and have been swept away by very fast water in the Kawartha's.

My 1st post with emogies. Can't beat em' join em'.

Yeah, I don't know what I'm talking
about sometimes. :facepalm: Most of the time? :doh: Ever ? ?

I don't know why I thought they were mandatory, but thats what I've had in my brain for the last 35 years.

Have taken many up to Ontario :canada: over the years and most couldn't swim at all.
( Grandmother, aunt, parents, brother in law, niece with downs syndrome )
Then there was the nephews and their little ones.
So maybe thats why we always wore them.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Start a good habit from day one. Some of my buddies have Ben boating with me 30 some years we never work life jackets from the start and Ive actually sank one boat and had two other boating incidents. A story for another time. My simple advise is good quality jackets that are either within reach at all times or jackets that are worn at all times.

Long version

First thing I can tell you is the lace up cheap coast guard life jackets are not for saving lives there for passing inspection the boat I actually sank my neighbor almost drowned because those jackets float you head first into big waves. You cannot swim with thick clothing and boots on something many people may not know. So just having them to pass inspections isnt having them to save lives.

Will your boat have enough room for them to be stored within reach because the time you really need a life jacket there isnt time to start finding them. None of my boats really have room for them sitting out at the ready. Not with 5 or more people fishing dealing with winds rough water they could very easily get blown out of the boat and lost.

I’m about to move to inflatables and forcing everyone to just wear them all the time there on the boat. there not cheap I will need 7 at times but I also look at my larger boats expense for a week trip there not that much of a factor when you think about how many times youll wear them and how long they should last.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Start a good habit from day one.

I’m about to move to inflatables and forcing everyone to just wear them all the time there on the boat. there not cheap I will need 7 at times but I also look at my larger boats expense for a week trip there not that much of a factor when you think about how many times youll wear them and how long they should last.

A great idea. No they aren't cheap but what is these days. A lot less expensive than hiring a lawyer to defend a personal injury lawsuit and what you will pay every month to someone's family that drowned when they were your responsibility when in your boat. Just because someone refused to wear a PFD on your boat doesn't necessarily get you off the hook if something goes terribly wrong.

 

[Texgirl]

Start a good habit from day one. Some of my buddies have Ben boating with me 30 some years we never work life jackets from the start and Ive actually sank one boat and had two other boating incidents. A story for another time. My simple advise is good quality jackets that are either within reach at all times or jackets that are worn at all times.

Long version

First thing I can tell you is the lace up cheap coast guard life jackets are not for saving lives there for passing inspection the boat I actually sank my neighbor almost drowned because those jackets float you head first into big waves. You cannot swim with thick clothing and boots on something many people may not know. So just having them to pass inspections isnt having them to save lives.

Will your boat have enough room for them to be stored within reach because the time you really need a life jacket there isnt time to start finding them. None of my boats really have room for them sitting out at the ready. Not with 5 or more people fishing dealing with winds rough water they could very easily get blown out of the boat and lost.

I’m about to move to inflatables and forcing everyone to just wear them all the time there on the boat. there not cheap I will need 7 at times but I also look at my larger boats expense for a week trip there not that much of a factor when you think about how many times youll wear them and how long they should last.

Thanks so much for your post...we will be doing mostly lake and seldom maybe salt water bay, but no open water etc.. boat is only 21 feet etc. We do have space up front under seats. I think we are leaning towards getting inflatables for our immediate family, various size water sport jackets and some general ones to make sure have enough on board for everyone.. my main concern is having room for all of this! So, we will try and start out with good habits... my son is 12 he has no choice!

 

[Old Ironmaker]

dingbat Great list, did you forget the paperwork for owners registration. I may have asked before if so please excuse me because I must ask once more, what is EPIRB. I was also going to ask what HEAPS stands for then realized not everything in block letters is an acronym. I think HEAPS is a lot of something as in "I ate HEAPS of mashed potatoes." Not as in " Help everyone act properly Sam."

 

[dingbat]

dingbat Great list, did you forget the paperwork for owners registration. I may have asked before if so please excuse me because I must ask once more, what is EPIRB. I was also going to ask what HEAPS stands for then realized not everything in block letters is an acronym. I think HEAPS is a lot of something as in "I ate HEAPS of mashed potatoes." Not as in " Help everyone act properly Sam."

Nope, didn’t forget the paper work.

Maryland has gone full electronic documentation. Registration and permits are paperless. Everything is accessible on-line through my COMPASS account.


EPIRB = Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/emerbcns.html

At a bare minimum, I would recommend a Personnel Location Beacon (PLB) for anyone who ventures out in big water.

Don't count on anybody other than yourself. If your lucky enough to get off a distress signal, help could be hours, if not days away.

A properly equipped ditch bag (beacon, water, flares, compass/gps, etc.) is essential to your chances of survival

 

[garbageguy]

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.

I've been looking to get a a collar- style automatic inflatable - great idea. Do you have a preferred manufacturer, color, any other suggestions in picking one? Thanks for the safety reminders - never too many

 

[tpenfield]

The captain (me) wears a PFD (life vest) while underway as do the underage children. Adults at their own discretion.

Keep in mind that if you are traveling in a boat and suddenly end up in the water, the fact that you can swim, or even are a good swimmer, may be irrelevant.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Nope, didn’t forget the paper work.

Maryland has gone full electronic documentation. Registration and permits are paperless. Everything is accessible on-line through my COMPASS account.


EPIRB = Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/emerbcns.html

At a bare minimum, I would recommend a Personnel Location Beacon (PLB) for anyone who ventures out in big water.

Don't count on anybody other than yourself. If your lucky enough to get off a distress signal, help could be hours, if not days away.

A properly equipped ditch bag (beacon, water, flares, compass/gps, etc.) is essential to your chances of survival

Here in Canada we are a long way away from paperless. Our registrations are written on the back of a piece of Birch bark.

1 Zippo lighter may be the difference between life and death. My best piece of safety equipment is this lap top in front of me. I study wind and weather predictions and heed them very closely. If there might be a storm on the day I want to go out I simply don't go out. No need to die over a feed of Walleye.

 

[dingbat]

Here in My best piece of safety equipment is this lap top in front of me. I study wind and weather predictions and heed them very closely. If there might be a storm on the day I want to go out I simply don't go out.

If you play that game here you might as well sell the boat.

Our water temps in the mid to upper 80’s in the summer. Warm water combined with a Bermuda high that setups up off the coast each year causes a lot of volatility in the weather.

Pop up storms are a given. It comes down to when and where the events occur. I’ve had to pick up and run out of the way or batten the hatches to take on a storm head on more times than I care to remember. It’s all part of summer time fun on the coast.

In the fall and early winter, or the approach of a hurricane we play a little different game. It’s called Seek and go Hide.

A rapidly falling barometer sends fish into feeding frenzies. The day before a hurricane arrives is some of the best fishing of the year. Same with the first big cold fronts of the year rolling in from the NW in late fall into winter.

This game is all about timing. Typically the winds drop out in front of an approaching front. The proverbial calm before the storm.

The games is to get out in the lull, catch your fish and get back to the dock before all heck breaks loose with the arrival of the front. I’ve had tremendous success playing this game. Have gotten beat up a few times as well.

It’s pretty bad when you have waves breaking on the windshield of a 46’ Bay Built on the way back in

We’ve lost a number of both private and charter boats over the years playing this game.

 

[JimS123]

Here in Canada we are a long way away from paperless. Our registrations are written on the back of a piece of Birch bark.

1 Zippo lighter may be the difference between life and death. My best piece of safety equipment is this lap top in front of me. I study wind and weather predictions and heed them very closely. If there might be a storm on the day I want to go out I simply don't go out. No need to die over a feed of Walleye.

My laptop was my goto as well. But last year I upgraded to a smartphone because my 2 newest boats had computers and the VesselView app with sensors was on sale half price.

With the silly phone I was able to download radar weather apps, but the best one yet is the (free) WKBW.com weather app. I realize that their hypes advertisements say they are the most accurate, but in fact its true.

It has increased my boating potential and Andy Parker is my hero.

 

[FredDog01]

As a newbie, I would have to consider if something were to happen :
(1) how fast can the person not wearing a PFD get it on to save themselves coreectly
(2) even being a strong swimmer not wearing on gets knocked out
things can go bad in seconds.
JMO

 

[FunInDuhSun]

I've been looking to get a a collar- style automatic inflatable - great idea. Do you have a preferred manufacturer, color, any other suggestions in picking one? Thanks for the safety reminders - never too many

The last couple I bought were West Marine ‘Offshore’ vests. I got the last one on sale for under $100. Color isn’t important to me but it’s a good idea to buy a re-arm kit at the same time. That’s what I do.
BTW, some of the offshore inflatables are available with stainless steel D rings on the front for attaching a lifeline. They make the vest substantially heavier. My first one had this feature. I’d recommend against these unless you’re actually going to use it with an attached lifeline.

 

[JimS123]

The last couple I bought were West Marine ‘Offshore’ vests. I got the last one on sale for under $100. Color isn’t important to me but it’s a good idea to buy a re-arm kit at the same time. That’s what I do.
BTW, some of the offshore inflatables are available with stainless steel D rings on the front for attaching a lifeline. They make the vest substantially heavier. My first one had this feature. I’d recommend against these unless you’re actually going to use it with an attached lifeline.

If by "Lifeline" you mean engine cutoff lanyard, you definitely should have the D-ring and use it if you're going to drive the boat.