Lifejackets saved the life of sailors

[FSo-CS]

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Two people are safe on land after spending more than four hours in the water Thursday night after their 19-foot sailboat capsized near Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Read the entire article. Think about making the commitment to wear it!

[itsbob]

Depends on the definition of life jacket.

The big foam filled ones are unbearably bulky.and uncomfortable in ANY heat, no wonder nobody wears them...

Now if they made inflatables for children, and made them affordable for everyone, I think most people would wear them....

[FSo-CS]

Originally Posted by itsbob

Depends on the definition of life jacket.

The big foam filled ones are unbearably bulky.and uncomfortable in ANY heat, no wonder nobody wears them...

Now if they made inflatables for children, and made them affordable for everyone, I think most people would wear them....

There is NO reason NOT to a wear a life jacket. Lifejackets are mow made in many styles making discomfort a thing of the past. Boaters worried about comfort can visit their favorite boating store and buy a comfortable jacket. There are even certified jackets that can be worn around the waste and automatically inflate.

Children are special. Inflatables are for adults. Children should be in a comfortable lifejacket that fits them. Younger children require the jacket with the handle and crotch strap.

The excuse that lifejackets are uncomfortable just doesn't pass muster any more. Go buy one that meets your criteria and don't buy those that don't. Whatever you do please wear it.

[MarkV]

Went canoeing this weekend and was pulled over by a police boat just checking to make sure I had life jackets... I did but I got a warning citation for not having a whistle or horn on board.

Just a reminder its a good idea to read up on boater safety before going out. (And check the weather forecast!)

[itsbob]

Originally Posted by FSo-CS

There is NO reason NOT to a wear a life jacket. Lifejackets are mow made in many styles making discomfort a thing of the past. Boaters worried about comfort can visit their favorite boating store and buy a comfortable jacket. There are even certified jackets that can be worn around the waste and automatically inflate.

Children are special. Inflatables are for adults. Children should be in a comfortable lifejacket that fits them. Younger children require the jacket with the handle and crotch strap.

The excuse that lifejackets are uncomfortable just doesn't pass muster any more. Go buy one that meets your criteria and don't buy those that don't. Whatever you do please wear it.

I agree..

BUT people still don't wear them, and telling everyone there is NO excuse won't make them wear them..

SOoooo, why not find out why people don't/won't wear them and answer those issues so maybe more (you'll never reach 100% adherence) WILL wear them.

I BELIEVE (I haven't seen any poll results) that most people don't wear them because they still feel they are bulky, hot and uncomfortable (and unfashionable, or NOT cool) and the ones that aren't (or are fashinable/cool)are $$$$..

[Gilligan (Premo)]

Originally Posted by itsbob

and the ones that aren't (or are fashinable/cool)are $$$$..

I see that as a big factor. I own numerous boats and so my lifejacket inventory is pretty extensive; the vast majority of the them the standard low-budget orange "blocks with straps".

I do keep afew better-quality and comfortable-fitting infant-through-youth sized jackets around for when kids are on board....

[itsbob]

Originally Posted by Gilligan

I see that as a big factor. I own numerous boats and so my lifejacket inventory is pretty extensive; the vast majority of the them the standard low-budget orange "blocks with straps".

I do keep afew better-quality and comfortable-fitting infant-through-youth sized jackets around for when kids are on board....

And I would GUESS that's the case on a majority of boats...


Spend >50K on a boat, and fill it up with the cheap orange life jacket to meet the letter of the law.

If the law says you WILL have 10 life jackets on your boat (for example) who's going to spend >$100 per comfortable cool jackets when they can just as well spend $10 per jacket to meet the requirement.. NOBODY is going to wear them.

[b23hqb]

Originally Posted by itsbob

And I would GUESS that's the case on a majority of boats...


Spend >50K on a boat, and fill it up with the cheap orange life jacket to meet the letter of the law.

If the law says you WILL have 10 life jackets on your boat (for example) who's going to spend >$100 per comfortable cool jackets when they can just as well spend $10 per jacket to meet the requirement.. NOBODY is going to wear them.

Don't forget at least one throwable Type IV, at least, (a wearable one is preferred) preserver on any boat 16' or longer.

Anybody that refuses to wear a life preserver just because it doesn't look cool, well, they are on their own, IMHO. Stupid is as stupid does.

Kids are an exception in my mind. Always made sure mine had comfortable vests, because they are kids. Adults, another matter all together - they should be mature enough to understand that when one is needed, put the thing on - the life they save will be their own.

I've been sailing for 34 years, and common sense says put one on when you feel the need for one, regardless of how fashionable it is.

[itsbob]

Originally Posted by b23hqb

Don't forget at least one throwable Type IV, at least, (a wearable one is preferred) preserver on any boat 16' or longer.

Anybody that refuses to wear a life preserver just because it doesn't look cool, well, they are on their own, IMHO. Stupid is as stupid does.

Kids are an exception in my mind. Always made sure mine had comfortable vests, because they are kids. Adults, another matter all together - they should be mature enough to understand that when one is needed, put the thing on - the life they save will be their own.

I've been sailing for 34 years, and common sense says put one on when you feel the need for one, regardless of how fashionable it is.

I think we are talking about two different scenarios..

I doubt ANYONE will refuse to put on an uncool life jacket when a boat is going under, what I am saying is life jackets are more effective if someone wears one when on the water ALL the time, not just when needed.

I'll admit I don't wear one unless I'm sailing, and then I only wear an inflatable. The bulky HOT foam life jackets (not just the cheap ones) can make a fun day on the water too hot and totally unenjoyable.

[b23hqb]

Originally Posted by itsbob

I think we are talking about two different scenarios..

I doubt ANYONE will refuse to put on an uncool life jacket when a boat is going under, what I am saying is life jackets are more effective if someone wears one when on the water ALL the time, not just when needed.

I'll admit I don't wear one unless I'm sailing, and then I only wear an inflatable. The bulky HOT foam life jackets (not just the cheap ones) can make a fun day on the water too hot and totally unenjoyable.

Agree, but kids wear one at all times. Just because I say so.