why don't people wear their PFD's? and what can be done about it.

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.

Condition's aren't rough enough.

my vote

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...

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.

life vest are not required for persons over the age of 12 in ms. so people exercise there right not to

actually coast guard rules require pfd be worn at all times(except if below deck) for 13 and under.

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

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.

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 🙂

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.

Unless it's raging out the PDF stays in the tramp bag. Can't have bad tan lines.

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.

Amen Brotha.

For now on, after all these drowning's i have heard about...
I AM ALWAYS WEARING MY PFD.

TylerH wrote: For now on, after all these drowning's i have heard about...
I AM ALWAYS WEARING MY PFD.

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

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.

http://www.stohlquist.com/zoom_img.php?k=29467&p=STO52311&t=opt&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

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.

I have a red Stohlquist also, same opinions.

MN3 wrote: I am curious why people don't wear them.

Personally, I don't want a farmers tan. LOL!

I have all the colors for the Stohlquist. Lately I'm on a red kick 🙂

While I'm also very comfortable in the water, the possibility of being knocked by the boom or other boat parts on the way into the water means I don't let anyone on my boat without a PDF.

I also vote for the Stohlquist. I have 8 in various sizes, colors and genders to cover whomever I'm sailing with.

Why don't people wear their PFD's?
I guess they never hit their masts or hulls with their ribs in capsize. PFD saves both, the ribs and the mast. Prooved 🙂

in a canoe or kayak or rowboat i am occasionally tempted to not wear a pdf

but on things that can harness the unpredictable winds, are covered in tangly ropes and stuff and can do 10-20knots by themselves

i always wear a pdf

like the safety belt i just don't feel comfortable without 1 now

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.

actually.... (hehe) a whistle is also required equipment as per coast guard regs (or other audable device).

"Every vessel less that 39.4 feet (12 meters) long must carry an efficient sound-producing device."

edited by: MN3, Sep 17, 2010 - 10:15 AM

You can buy whistle's from here,
http://www.firstaidstore.com/product_details.aspx?item_guid=e7ddfed8-2b5b-4d0e-84fa-6132f8cafcca

I alway's carry one in my PFD pocket.
Even though i've never used it, it's ALWAYS a good thing to carry.

TylerH wrote: You can buy whistle's from here,
http://www.firstaidstore.com/product_details.aspx?item_guid=e7ddfed8-2b5b-4d0e-84fa-6132f8cafcca

I alway's carry one in my PFD pocket.
Even though i've never used it, it's ALWAYS a good thing to carry.

I can't afford that ($0.26) 🙂 just kidding but it may be worth getting a marine whisle. If that whistle has a cork pea in it.. it can get brittle and not work with exposure.

Marine whistles are still only a few dollars.

i have only had to blow a whistle a few times (when i was at the sceen of 2 jetskis that collided, i blew my whistle to hail help from a powerboat).

I see everyone discussing the Stohlquist PFD's. I have found good success with the Extrasport brand. My wife and sister-in-law both like the "Chica" which is designed for a women, but also comfortable for men. Looks like they don't make my PFD anymore, but just another vendor to look at.

I always wear one when racing or saling solo. On days when there are a few people in the boat and it is a drifter, we sometimes don't. That's pretty rare.

I'm one of the ones who almost drowned WITH MY PFD ON!! we pitchpoled a Hobie 16 and I was at the front beam when it started to turtle. The jib cleat on the beam cought the back of my jacket and pulled me under. I remember taking that last breath and just panicing! Luckily, the guy I was sailing with (who was on the bottom of the tramp by then) realized what was hapening and pushed me under to release my jacket, then he pulled me up. I had taken in some water, but about coughed up a lung out when I got back on the bottom of the tramp. He had to drag me on the boat. I had no energy for a minute or two. The experience really spooked me.

I think the comfort thing is the factor. I use the kayak PFDs like Damon showed and really like them. Lots of movement, not too big.

edited by: DanBerger, Sep 17, 2010 - 03:35 PM

I'm sure no one appreciates the guy you were sailing with more than you do, but it really should be stressed how impressive that is. I've sailed with plenty of people who would have just stared and said, "I wonder why he's staying down there so long.." and left it at that. Glad you were OK.
__

I usually remember to bring up the fact that I could fall off at the end of my 'new crew speach' if at all. By then I'm ready to go so it goes something like:

"If I fall off you need to figure out very quickly if you can drive the boat or not. If so, come get me. If not capsize it and jump off. If you can't figure out how to do that, pray. Let's go."

I wear waterskiing/wakeboarding neoprene jackets. They probably don't allow as much movement as the pfd's shown above, but I've never felt restricted. They also are very good for absorbing some impact, and the neoprene fits like a glove.