The Boating Forum - Do you wear your PFD?

If so what type is it?

Always?

Under what conditions do you wear it?

Thank you in Advance!!

:thumbsup:

No

Yes!

Yes, I bought a Type V inflatable PFD. To count as a PFD I have to wear it. To be honest, I hardly even realize it is there. It weighs next to nothing, is not restrictive in the slightest, and does not make me hot even in the South Florida summer heat.

No big deal.

In foul weather I would probably put on a non inflatable PFD. I want to get some type I offshore vests so I can go do some more blue water fishing.

Wear it if I'm out alone, or if the weather gets nasty.
Sterns vest

Boat solo all the time, so I wear a type III vest or coat in winter.

No.....and it is becoming more and more difficult for me to rationalize this with my kids the older they get( cause they must wear theirs ) because they always ask.....If its good / safe for me to wear mine....why dont you???? Good thread...maybe I will start wearing mine again, at least while under power. As a kid I fished alot of Bass tournaments and I always wore it while under power....but as I began to fish out of center consoles...I quit. Dunno....dont make much sense.

Murphjup - 6/27/2007 9:49 PM

If so what type is it?

Always?

Under what conditions do you wear it?


Yes, always - no exceptions. I have SOSpender auto-inflatables for me and my passengers. All of my regular fishing partners also wear them.

You should wear yours too! It is a simple fact that people who wear them are much more likely to survive an accident all else being equal. You can't tread water if you get knocked unconscious!

Most drownings involving recreational boats happen to people who consider themselves good swimmers and during perfect weather. Keep this in mind.

Why? Because people who know they can not swim are more likely to wear the PFD. During poor weather people are more likely to wear a PFD. So what does that leave? Great weather and good swimmers who do not wear a PFD.

Most of the time "statistics" are useless. But sometimes they are worth paying attention to. It all depends on how the data is compiled.

I always wear Stearns Automatic (Sospenders)
and have been very pleased with them for the past 5 years

I have two metal legs so falling overboard without a PFD
might result in my becoming "Fishing Structure"

always!!

Just bought SOSpenders. I haven't been out on the boat yet, but I plan to wear it at least when I'm out solo.

I wear mine on my own boat while running but not fishing.

Was out yesterday on a friends and did not. ;? Come to think of it I never wear it on his boat.

Not a good idea.

country - 6/27/2007 9:58 PM

No.....and it is becoming more and more difficult for me to rationalize this with my kids the older they get( cause they must wear theirs ) because they always ask.....If its good / safe for me to wear mine....why dont you???? Good thread...maybe I will start wearing mine again, at least while under power. As a kid I fished alot of Bass tournaments and I always wore it while under power....but as I began to fish out of center consoles...I quit. Dunno....dont make much sense.

When I'm out alone or with the boys 7 and 10 YES!

i do. i am mostly on the boat to fish. i have an 18 foot cc, and, when i am on it alone, the pfd is always on. i shopped around for one that was minimally uncomfortable. i considered the inflatable types but they were actually not more comfortable (although i expected they would be) and there's always a concern they won't work.

when i have other adults with me i don't wear it.

i do. i am mostly on the boat to fish. i have an 18 foot cc, and, when i am on it alone, the pfd is always on. i shopped around for one that was minimally uncomfortable. i considered the inflatable types but they were actually not more comfortable (although i expected they would be) and there's always a concern they won't work.

when i have other adults with me i don't wear it.

i do. i am mostly on the boat to fish. i have an 18 foot cc, and, when i am on it alone, the pfd is always on. i shopped around for one that was minimally uncomfortable. i considered the inflatable types but they were actually not more comfortable (although i expected they would be) and there's always a concern they won't work.

when i have other adults with me i don't wear it.

I never did until recently. I Had an experience that opened my eyes. I have a Mustange Lift PFD.

nope

Never unless I am skiing.

If you ask this question, I believe you should

Always.
Its law here but thats not why, I have young kids.
1 I want them to wear theirs.
2 I want to be around to show their kids how to fish.

NO.

Try to wear mine most of the time (Auto inflatable Revere)

Yes, always underway.

About those statistics... I read somewhere that the most common description of a boating related drowning victim is a male and the body is recoverred with the fly unzipped. So you may conclude tht if you are a good swimmer and have to take a whizzz on a beautiful day, you are going to die.

Rarely

When I am out alone, yes, I wear a fanny pack inflatable. Color coordinated to my Crocs of course.

Why do you ask the question? ;?

You bet! At age 64, how long could I keep afloat otherwise?

I do not wear one but I have been looking into some of those inflatable ones so maybe I'll start wearing one of those. I have started to at least pull them out and having enough out of the hatch for everyone on board. The reason I started doing this is because I was out on a friends boat and while getting something out of his cabin I stumbled across his life vest. It ran through my mind that they are just about useless where he had them and thought I was guilty of the same thing.

When out alone or with my 3 kids 8, 5, 2 by myself, I wear my new Mustang that I got from a THT Power Buy. Got one for my father-in-law for when he takes the boys out by himself.

If there are other accomplished boaters out with me, I do not unless it is really snotty. Probably should. Working up to it.

I guy I worked with fell overboard from his boston whaler in South Florida while out alone about 12 miles offshore. Slipped on an oil spot while cleaning up a spill at the stern - he did not have a vest but after spending 24 hours in the water before being found he has a few recommendations:

1) Float Plan or make sure someone knows where you're going - he had one but deviated from it.
2) Always wear a life vest, inflatable, suspenders, doesn't matter
3) and third - I never would have thought of this - a pair of cheap swim goggles stashed in the fannypack or looped around the suspenders. He said after about 18 hours the salt had irritated his eyes to the point that he couldn't see anything and wasn't able to distinguish boats, land etc.

great advice

Yes, I always wear one. Either a Mustang hydrostatic or a regular Stearn Type III vest.

The best PDF is the one that you will wear!

Jerry

Always.

Yes, I,m new to power boating but have a lot of experience in kayaks so its no big deal. I bought a inflatable fanny pack style PFD and I forget its on. I also figured since I'm a newby I would just try to get into the habit of wearing one, kinda of like a seatbelt.

Yes

I am a strong swimmer, but no reason not to wear the inflatable.

Yup. Always have my sospenders on.

Seacat FL - 6/28/2007 8:53 AM

Why do you ask the question? ;?

Well I'm considering the purchase of an inflatable Sospenders, Mustang etc... and I usually don't wear one in the intra coastal here in Florida... but with more "Ocean" time coming up this summer I"m considering wearing one full time... just wanted to see what you guys did as far as PFD's go...

That simple.. no ulterior motive...lol

:thumbsup:

Yes. I require my kids to wear one so why not me? I wear the inflatable type and dont even know it is there. Water in ME is so cold that I dont think I could actually last more than 10 minutes. I might need that time to help others not worry about treading water. I get #%# from my younger friends but, whatever.....

I have a type 1, but it’s too uncomfortable and hot in the summer. A few weeks back, I bought an inflatable that is equal to a type 2 when activated. I hardly know it’s on, and I keep it on from the time I leave the ramp to when I get back.

Someone said that statistics are meaningless, but it seems logical to me that there are more fatalities in small boats than in larger ones. IMO, anyone in a 21' or less NOT wearing one is tempting fate.

Yes, I just bought Stearns automatic inflatables, and , like said above, you dont notice you are wearing them. In fact, many times I stop to fish, and ten minutes later I realize I still have it on. I have said this before, but, when I was a freshwater fisherman, I always wore my jacket and the majority of anglers I came across were doing the same. Now that I am fishing saltwater, I see very few with lifejackets on. WHY ??? In many instances in saltwater, you are in a larger body of water and further from land than in freshwater. You also have the strong tides at times that can be dangerous. Can't figure it out, but, all I know, I have mine on when the big motors are started up! Be safe, Doc of the Bay

Yes! Just got 4 more of the Mustang hydrostatic inflatables from BOE today. If you are on my boat you have to where one. I have a total of six mustang hydro, plus a couple of other inflatables just in case. Plus the old horseshoe kind for when the law is being jerky about the the inflatables.

CGaviator - 6/28/2007 9:38 AM

I guy I worked with fell overboard from his boston whaler in South Florida while out alone about 12 miles offshore. Slipped on an oil spot while cleaning up a spill at the stern - he did not have a vest but after spending 24 hours in the water before being found he has a few recommendations:

1) Float Plan or make sure someone knows where you're going - he had one but deviated from it.
2) Always wear a life vest, inflatable, suspenders, doesn't matter
3) and third - I never would have thought of this - a pair of cheap swim goggles stashed in the fannypack or looped around the suspenders. He said after about 18 hours the salt had irritated his eyes to the point that he couldn't see anything and wasn't able to distinguish boats, land etc.

great advice

How about 4) Hook up your kill switch lanyard. Make a longer one from nylon cord for when you are alone and need to move around the moving boat.

(Goggles are a great idea...never thought of that.)

Well you guys convinced me, I purchased a couple of Mustang Hydro's along with survival light's from LRSE, our fellow forum vendors...

Not sure If I will wear them in the intracoastal here... to be honest, but certainly in the Ocean...

Thanks again!!

:thumbsup:

No, but I should, having read the above posts.

on the big boat , i do when im alone or in rough seas , duck hunting in the 16 ft yes , in the 8 ft layout boat , thats why i own pfds now and have a total of 12 of them so all my boats have enough for passengers and loaners

and yes i should have it on more often , you dont noticed it there , I do where it on other peoples boats

Let me take the question one step further. Would you use an inflatable PFD offshore (say 30 to 40 miles) or would you use a standard Class I PFD?

Nope. My life, my risk. Got plenty of life insurance

Nope. My life, my risk. Got plenty of life insurance to take care of the family.

I fish alone much of the time offshore. I wear a type 3 Stearns with high collar rated for 60 mph with pockets containing a flare, whistle, signal mirror whenever underway alone on the boat - inshore or offshore. Kill switch attached. When I stop to fish (troll or bottom offshore) I switch to an inflatable. I also hook in a kill switch extension whenever trolling alone in case I go overboard.
When running around in the waterways or lakes I wear the Stearns most all the time with kill switch connected so in case something happens, the family (wife and 2 daughters) has a chance to do something before a crash.

I like the goggles idea. Something else for the ditch bag as well.

only when i'm by myself

JGarman - 6/28/2007 7:10 PM
Nope. My life, my risk. Got plenty of life insurance to take care of the family.

Sorry to call you out, but this attitude makes absolutely no sense to me.

It is not just your risk because there may very well be others (e.g. law enforcement, coast guard, other boaters, etc.) risking their necks to try to save your independent-minded butt. It is only your own isolated risk if you do not expect anyone to come looking for you if your vessel is overdue. I hope to god someone will come looking for me - I'll be there bobbing around in my pfd.

It helps everyone if you help yourself first!

Rant over.

Always, I have a Stearns Harbomaster vest and its very comfortable and warm and when it gets warmer I have the inflatables as well.

capt_matt - 6/28/2007 9:12 PM

JGarman - 6/28/2007 7:10 PM
Nope. My life, my risk. Got plenty of life insurance to take care of the family.

Sorry to call you out, but this attitude makes absolutely no sense to me.

It is not just your risk because there may very well be others (e.g. law enforcement, coast guard, other boaters, etc.) risking their necks to try to save your independent-minded butt. It is only your own isolated risk if you do not expect anyone to come looking for you if your vessel is overdue. I hope to god someone will come looking for me - I'll be there bobbing around in my pfd.

It helps everyone if you help yourself first!

Rant over.

That is BS. How is it going to make it any riskier for rescuers to look for someone not wearing a pfd than someone who is?

That is their job anyway, nobody made them sign up. Using your logic BBQ grills should be prohibited because there would be less risk to fire fighters if nobody had a BBQ grill at home.

"I'll never put on a life jacket again."

I have a Mustang inflatable that I wear if I'm out in the ocean or bay alone, or any time I'm out in the ocean or bay if it's rough. Never in the ICW.

I put one on one time back on August 2, 1986 when I got caught in a storm with 50 knot winds and 12 foot sea in my 31 Bertram. I think the Bertram took offence, it thought I didn't trust it.

nope.

I don't get it and really don't care that much but I find it odd that all these people say they wear life jackets yet where I boat (N Florida) I never see anyone wearing them unless they are skiing, on a jet ski, or law enforcement.

In 25 years of boating I've seen maybe 3 people wearing a life jacket, this thread is a bunch of crap. 80% of the replies say they always wear one? Sure. Just like everyone on here has 2 epirbs, a life raft, 2 spare props, a sat phone, 2 VHF's. Give me a break.

Seacat FL - 6/30/2007 1:11 PM

capt_matt - 6/28/2007 9:12 PM

JGarman - 6/28/2007 7:10 PM
Nope. My life, my risk. Got plenty of life insurance to take care of the family.

Sorry to call you out, but this attitude makes absolutely no sense to me.

It is not just your risk because there may very well be others (e.g. law enforcement, coast guard, other boaters, etc.) risking their necks to try to save your independent-minded butt. It is only your own isolated risk if you do not expect anyone to come looking for you if your vessel is overdue. I hope to god someone will come looking for me - I'll be there bobbing around in my pfd.

It helps everyone if you help yourself first!

Rant over.

That is BS. How is it going to make it any riskier for rescuers to look for someone not wearing a pfd than someone who is?

That is their job anyway, nobody made them sign up. Using your logic BBQ grills should be prohibited because there would be less risk to fire fighters if nobody had a BBQ grill at home.

My comment is NOT "BS". The longer it takes to find a person in the water the more risk searchers are exposed to! Risk is proportional to time, especially since many rescue attempts are in lousy weather and high seas.

People floating high in the water and marked by bright colors are simply easier to see. They might even have a strobe or reflectors on their pfd to help make them more visible at night.

Simple logic. Think about it! :o

I think the kill switch lanyard comment should be given more attention. I mean how many PFD's are propellor proof?

Dubble ;?

Nope. Only when I go for a swim.

capt_matt - 7/1/2007 10:47 AM

Seacat FL - 6/30/2007 1:11 PM

capt_matt - 6/28/2007 9:12 PM

JGarman - 6/28/2007 7:10 PM
Nope. My life, my risk. Got plenty of life insurance to take care of the family.

Sorry to call you out, but this attitude makes absolutely no sense to me.

It is not just your risk because there may very well be others (e.g. law enforcement, coast guard, other boaters, etc.) risking their necks to try to save your independent-minded butt. It is only your own isolated risk if you do not expect anyone to come looking for you if your vessel is overdue. I hope to god someone will come looking for me - I'll be there bobbing around in my pfd.

It helps everyone if you help yourself first!

Rant over.

That is BS. How is it going to make it any riskier for rescuers to look for someone not wearing a pfd than someone who is?

That is their job anyway, nobody made them sign up. Using your logic BBQ grills should be prohibited because there would be less risk to fire fighters if nobody had a BBQ grill at home.

My comment is NOT "BS". The longer it takes to find a person in the water the more risk searchers are exposed to! Risk is proportional to time, especially since many rescue attempts are in lousy weather and high seas.

People floating high in the water and marked by bright colors are simply easier to see. They might even have a strobe or reflectors on their pfd to help make them more visible at night.

Simple logic. Think about it! :o

Since searches last until the person or body is found or until it is deemed there is no chance of survival the length of time is limited and generally the search is not started or called off if conditions would overly jepardize the searchers.

capt_matt - 7/1/2007 10:47 AM

Seacat FL - 6/30/2007 1:11 PM

capt_matt - 6/28/2007 9:12 PM

JGarman - 6/28/2007 7:10 PM
Nope. My life, my risk. Got plenty of life insurance to take care of the family.

Sorry to call you out, but this attitude makes absolutely no sense to me.

It is not just your risk because there may very well be others (e.g. law enforcement, coast guard, other boaters, etc.) risking their necks to try to save your independent-minded butt. It is only your own isolated risk if you do not expect anyone to come looking for you if your vessel is overdue. I hope to god someone will come looking for me - I'll be there bobbing around in my pfd.

It helps everyone if you help yourself first!

Rant over.

That is BS. How is it going to make it any riskier for rescuers to look for someone not wearing a pfd than someone who is?

That is their job anyway, nobody made them sign up. Using your logic BBQ grills should be prohibited because there would be less risk to fire fighters if nobody had a BBQ grill at home.

My comment is NOT "BS". The longer it takes to find a person in the water the more risk searchers are exposed to! Risk is proportional to time, especially since many rescue attempts are in lousy weather and high seas.

People floating high in the water and marked by bright colors are simply easier to see. They might even have a strobe or reflectors on their pfd to help make them more visible at night.

Simple logic. Think about it! :o

That is absolutely absurd.

Why not require helmets for all automobile drivers all the time? They have been proven to reduce injuries in car accidents and less serious injuries would mean rescue crews would not have to spend as much time exposed to dangerous traffic at the accident scene.

I wear mine ( inflatable) in memory of a good friend who drowned last year after a freak wake hit his boat and overturned the boat 10 miles out.
I also tie down the coolers so they will not float away from the boat if the boat sinks/ overturns.

Almost never. Only stuff over 6 feet when in the 24 footer or when offshore solo in anything. Otherwise they are uncomfortable and give me a screwed up looking tan! And yes I have tried most of the inflatables and ya'll that say you don't feel them on are full of it.

Seacat FL - 7/1/2007 12:11 PM

capt_matt - 7/1/2007 10:47 AM

Seacat FL - 6/30/2007 1:11 PM

capt_matt - 6/28/2007 9:12 PM

JGarman - 6/28/2007 7:10 PM
Nope. My life, my risk. Got plenty of life insurance to take care of the family.

Sorry to call you out, but this attitude makes absolutely no sense to me.

It is not just your risk because there may very well be others (e.g. law enforcement, coast guard, other boaters, etc.) risking their necks to try to save your independent-minded butt. It is only your own isolated risk if you do not expect anyone to come looking for you if your vessel is overdue. I hope to god someone will come looking for me - I'll be there bobbing around in my pfd.

It helps everyone if you help yourself first!

Rant over.

That is BS. How is it going to make it any riskier for rescuers to look for someone not wearing a pfd than someone who is?

That is their job anyway, nobody made them sign up. Using your logic BBQ grills should be prohibited because there would be less risk to fire fighters if nobody had a BBQ grill at home.

My comment is NOT "BS". The longer it takes to find a person in the water the more risk searchers are exposed to! Risk is proportional to time, especially since many rescue attempts are in lousy weather and high seas.

People floating high in the water and marked by bright colors are simply easier to see. They might even have a strobe or reflectors on their pfd to help make them more visible at night.

Simple logic. Think about it! :o

That is absolutely absurd.

Why not require helmets for all automobile drivers all the time? They have been proven to reduce injuries in car accidents and less serious injuries would mean rescue crews would not have to spend as much time exposed to dangerous traffic at the accident scene.


Most people call those air bags rather than "automobile helmets."

I am not saying to wear a pfd ONLY to aid poential rescurers, but that wearing one has the indirect consequences of helping potential rescurers when you are in the water.

I was originally responding to Garman and just pointing out that his choice has some indirect consequences that he did not seem to recognize.

Only when going offshore, and it's an automatic. EPIRB is always close at hand.