INFLATABLES OR STACKABLE PFDS??

[[FISHHOOK]]

  Now that the 2008 boating season is in swing just how many of us will be wearing a PFD? before we leave the dock?
And if so which would be your choice.

     SAFE BOATING TO ALL IN 2008..

[CapBob]

I have both on the boat.........the inlfatable uspenders and the regular PFD.......most opt for the suspenders

[IrishAyes]

One thing to keep in mind. The inflatables (suspenders) do not count as a PFD unless they are being worn. If they are just stored on the vessel they do not count as a PFD.

[CapBob]

Good point Capt Joe


Also add that if the regular life vests are in the plastic bag they came in they will not count either, if you are boarded by the USCG

[wimpy]

Inflatables for sure! Last NOV. my uncles hip gave out while checking lines and went in between the boat and floater. Near fatal since nobody's around the lagoon this time of year. Two days later i ordered four from Cabelas. Wear it religously as i go solo alot. Still pack reqiured on boat. One less thing to worry about.

[IrishAyes]

An absolute must if you go solo in an open boat. 

[Pops Soul]

One thing to keep in mind. The inflatables (suspenders) do not count as a PFD unless they are being worn. If they are just stored on the vessel they do not count as a PFD.

Good point Capt Joe


Also add that if the regular life vests are in the plastic bag they came in they will not count either, if you are boarded by the USCG

I really think this is a great topic, I have had spot checks done by the Coast Guard and the big thing they hit on is that the Life Jackets have to be READY and AVAILABLE Which they define as being on deck not stored. If I'm fishing alone I wear mine, if I have folks on board they are in the cabin. What's everyone else's thoughts 

[mboy]

This is what I will be wearing this year if solo or with my son.

Otherwise, I do not wear one if there are other adults on the boat with me.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/244047/377%20710%201224/0/Recreational%20Life%20Jackets/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710%201224&Ne=0&Ntt=Recreational%20Life%20Jackets&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=8&subdeptNum=106&classNum=12387

[Capt. Mike]

 
I have one of those for the solo days. I also keep it in my ditch bag.

[[FISHHOOK]]

To many of us take it for granted that we will
return to port safe, but in the event when the
unexpected happens it may be to late,we can not
but a price on life!!
     
     MUSTANGSURVIVAL.COM

[Hotrod]

Think I'll pick up a couple of those..  What are they referring to here. 

Manual Inflatable Belt Pack And Recharge

[Bucktail]

Think I'll pick up a couple of those..  What are they referring to here. 

Manual Inflatable Belt Pack And Recharge

Since working for BoatUS, the subject of pfds has become an important one for me.

Rod, a "manual inflatable" means you have to physically pull a cord to get the pfd to inflate.  A "recharge" or "rearm kit" would be a spare CO2 cartridge for the device.  The "automatics" will inflate automatically (of course) a few seconds after you hit the water.

While they are better than nothing, the one problem with the manual belt pack is that if you're knocked unconscious before you pull the string you're dead meat!   While an automatic inflatable is not the best for an unconscious user, it is better.

What a lot of people don't realize is that most of the time (especially on a small boat) you never have a chance to put on a pfd before you hit the water.  It's not like  a cruise ship where you have a lot of time to prepare.  Most boating related drownings occur very quickly and you are in the water in a blink of an eye!  In fact most fatalities are not a result of a catastrophic accident.  The majority are due to people simply falling overboard.

BTW, fishermen in boats under 26' make up the majority of drownings every year.  Surprisingly, many boating related drownings happen in very calm water, and with little or no warning! 

I wear an automatic self inflating Sospenders vest.  Very light and comfortable.  I need to pick up a new cylinder for it though.

Here is a link to a BoatUS article about the basics of pfds.  http://www.boatus.com/foundation/toolbox/lifejacket.htm

-Bob

[Hotrod]

Good Info