I am curious why people don't wear them.
why don't people wear their PFD's? and what can be done about it.
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 10:14 AM
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 10:26 AM
I think most people don't wear them, ONLY BECAUSE...
1.) Condition's aren't rough enough.
2.) No comfort.
3.) Feel if they can "swim", they don't need them.
I ALWAYS wear my life jacket though.
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Tyler holmes
Panama city, FL
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 11:21 AM
my vote
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 11:29 AM
One word: Overconfidence!
We get over confident because nothing bad ever happens to US! It's always the "Other Guy" and then we call it an error of judgment or just bad luck, depending on whether we knew the guy or not... -
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 11:36 AM
its kind of like seat belts and motorcycle helmets. if the law doesn't require it, then people don't use them as much. mississippi requires both, you never see someone riding w/out a helmet, instant ticket, seat belts are not so obvious though. currently, life vest are not required for persons over the age of 12 in ms. so people exercise there right not to...humans are funny like that.
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bill harris
hattiesburg, mississippi
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 01:03 PM
actually coast guard rules require pfd be worn at all times(except if below deck) for 13 and under. -
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 01:16 PM
Here are my MAIN reasons why i didn't wear one (back in the day). Now adays i almost allays wear one.
many people in my area don't. True that it's a personal choice, but ask anyone who has died, and they will tell you they wish they had. Same for cycle helmets.. ask anyone who has died from a bike/head trama... they would wear it now.
I sail in mostly shallow waters. i had this idea that i could simply walk to shore. incorrect and even if i could... you can still drown
Main (excuse) when on the wire,... the jacket would climb up my torso and be in my neck/face. this was cumbersome and uncomfortable.
my solution: a thin line of bungee tied from right to left (either on pocket zippers and the little rubber light hanger peice) or simply from arm hole to arm hole.
This allows me to unzip and drape the pfd when on the wire. when not on the wire. i keep it zippered (or snapped at the waist).
this is not a perfect solution as when you capsize/ fall off, etc... you then have to zip it up .. and if somehow knocked unconscious .. wouldn't help.. but most of dont sail with the type of pfd that would turn you face up in the even of being unconscious (TYPE I PFD, or OFF-SHORE LIFE JACKET ) but its a good compromise for me.
PS hardly enforced, and few cats i have seen actually carry one (besides myself) but any boat over 16' is required to have 1 pfd for every passenger PLUS at least 1 throw-able one -
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 01:24 PM
It's actually quite interesting.
I remember when seatbelts became mandatory and there was a huge uproar, negative commercials talking about tickets and fines and enforcement and tickets, etc. Now we have somewhere around 85% seatbelt usage. I haven't heard of anyone getting a seatbelt ticket in a long time, except maybe in some very rural areas and all the commercials and education focuses on the positives of seatbelt use (saving lives). Also I can't get into a car without automatically buckling up, it's almost like feeling naked without it.
We now have mandatory power boat licensing where you have to write a test to get the licence. Again the commercials talk about fines etc and there is a lot of grumbling and I have never seen so many police looking for unlicensed boaters. The reason for this is that we were having a lot of deaths due to kids driving PWDs and ski boats into other boaters and docks. Most local people also simply don't know the rules of the road (er river?). Now you can be somewhat assured that the people driver thier boats have at least seen the right of way rules, before you could never predict what people were going to do. I can see the same thing over time, that a boaters license will just be what you need to do to drive a boat and no big deal.
So it seems that initially these types of things require a lot of enforcement and then when people become educated and realize the benefit then enforcement is less necessary. A PFD is like a seatbelt for your boat so my question is why is wearing one not mandetory everywhere? If it were I think people would get used to the idea of wearing them and end up just doing it.
With the PFDs on the market now are cheap and they are more like jackets or vests and some even provide insulation and wind protection. If you are really concerned about bulk buoyancy aids are super sleek, sporty and unless you are a heavy weight like me will cover you in about 90% of the situations you may find your self in. I could see it 20 years ago when you were strapping what amounted to 3 seat cushions to your body but it really doesn't make a lot of sense not to wear one now.
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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
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Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 02:39 PM
In the 1990's I wouldn't wear a PFD unless "the conditions required it". So on smaller lakes, with light to moderate wind I would strap them on the shrouds or tramp. Primarily because of comfort (I was using waterski PFD's) and because of temp (typically 90-100 degrees) when I was sailing. But when on the ocean or large lakes or whenever there was enough wind to be on the wire I would put on my PFD. But now I wear one all the time, everytime. And make my crew wear them as well. Also I have more comfortable kayaking vests now that are soooo much nicer to wear. I also went from a teenager to married with kid, so that changes your mentality just a little also
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Scott,
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 02:40 PM
Mostly I think it comes down to
1. Habit
2. Comfort
If you don't have the right pfd it's easy to think "it's too hot" or "I'm safer without it because it interferes with my trapeze hook".
Too many people buy these for catamaran sailing
When spending the money for something like these might mean that they get in the habit of wearing them ALL the time and so would their kids. I know the ones pictured below are a lot more expensive ($90-$120) vs the Walmart Ski Vest above ($19.95) but this really is something you should put money in, it will make your sailing experience much more safe and enjoyable.
We are lucky because pfd's designed for Kayaking are perfect for sailing a beachcat on a trapeze because of the short torso and freedom of movement they offer.
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 03:46 PM
Unless it's raging out the PDF stays in the tramp bag. Can't have bad tan lines. -
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 04:12 PM
I've been surfing since I was a teenager and have no problem handling myself in 15 - 20 foot surf.
I was a CA State Lifeguard for 17 years at the beaches of southern California and have rescued hundreds of people over the years in in all sorts of dangerous conditions and managed myself just fine.
I swim about 3000 yds 3 times per week.
I ALWAYS WEAR MY PFD WHEN I SAIL.
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Scott
1982 Nacra 5.2 "Great White"
Ledbetter Beach, Santa Barbara, CA
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 04:22 PM
Amen Brotha.
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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 06:29 PM
For now on, after all these drowning's i have heard about...
I AM ALWAYS WEARING MY PFD.
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Tyler holmes
Panama city, FL
Boat whore
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 06:45 PM
Good to hear!
From Wikioedia:
Drowning is death from asphyxia due to suffocation caused by a liquid entering the lungs and preventing the absorption of oxygen leading to cerebral hypoxia and myocardial infarction.[1]
Near drowning is the survival of a drowning event involving unconsciousness or water inhalation and can lead to serious secondary complications, including death, after the event.[1][2]
In many countries, drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children under 12 years old. For example, in the United States, it is the second leading cause of death (after motor vehicle crashes) in children 12 and younger.[3] Children have drowned in wading pools and even bath tubs.
Victims are more likely to be male, young or adolescent.[3] Surveys indicate that 10% of children under 5 have experienced a situation with a high risk of drowning.
(I was one of the 10%. )
edited by: MN3, Sep 16, 2010 - 06:45 PM -
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 06:45 PM
I didn't like how the "normal" ones fit, but I wore one anyway. My kid swam competitively & worked as a lifeguard & she never even thinks about it, just puts one on EVERY time she goes out.
I picked up a used kayak that came with a couple. They are perfect for this sport, the shorter length keeps the hook free, & they generally have a mesh pocket on the front.
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 08:04 PM
http://www.stohlquist.com…pt&gid=356982&oid=218155
Just so you know - I'm totally biased in my opinion about pfd's. The one above is awesome when your out on the wire. Complete unrestricted arm movement and will NOT ride up when your floating in the water. It has a front pocket that is perfect for a water bottle (or favorite beverage), and has a little garage for a whistle - a must when your off shore, and a good idea in any area. High quality PFD that fits literally like a glove.
http://www.stohlquist.com/dyn_prod.php?p=STO52311
edited by: turtlecat, Sep 16, 2010 - 07:20 PM -
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 09:20 PM
I too have a Stohlquist, but it's an older model than shown. Everyone looks at comfort,pockets etc, but many manufacturers ignore what is in my opinion one of the most important features, color.
The tendency is to make them completely of dark color materials. On cloudy days, near dusk, or at any distance the darker color becomes an almost perfect camouflage. I have yellow on mine, & try for the same with wetsuits etc.
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 10:17 PM
I have a red Stohlquist also, same opinions.
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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Posted: Sep 16, 2010 - 10:34 PM
Personally, I don't want a farmers tan. LOL!
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