Life jackets....Yes or no??

thisistank · 01-08-2007, 08:14 PM

I don't know how to do a pole so the question is there.....I've taken a few hits for footage where we're catching air and no one is wearing jackets. On the recent crash thread it's going towards why no one was wearing jackets. So I figured a thread dedicated to the topic is in order.

So where do you stand and why?

Vinny P · 01-08-2007, 08:28 PM

I always wear LifeLines. The reasons should be obvious.

AIR TIME · 01-08-2007, 08:30 PM

Life lines going to pick up some new ones

fountainracing42 · 01-08-2007, 08:34 PM

the reason isnt obvious. YES lifejackets save lives..that is a fact HOWEVER: I am sick of goverment agencies pracing laws on us. This is a free counrty. If I choose to wear a seat belt, helmet or a lifejacket I will. Why do you want more regulations?

Expensive Date · 01-08-2007, 08:44 PM

I posted this already in the safe boating section but I am more than happy to do it again
About 7 years ago when I had my jet-ski I hit a wave wrong at about 55 and got thrown off,first if you have never hit water at speed its hard you will slid for a while then go under.I had hit my ankle upon leaving the ski pretty hard and I thought it was broke.I was able to swim using only my hands back to the ski I was only able to do this due to the fact I had a life vest and the ski was there(kill switches are great)
If its my time fine but if not I would rather just swim back to the boat
It is my opinion that 90% of boating fatalities would be eliminated if both life vests an kill switches were worn all the time.And yes I wear both all the time

Jassman · 01-08-2007, 08:46 PM

I'll be the first to say I don't wear jackets the majority of the time. Lanyard on at all times. Most poker runs I run in the far right lane cruising along at 50-60mph, boat runs appr. 80 mph top end. Im one of the last one's to the card stop, and don't have a problem with that. I dont usually race, goof off, try and stay 150' away from other boaters on PR's, drink alcohol, respect my fellow boaters and so on. I also dont wear my helmet when on my Big Dog except on long hauls. I do wear my safety belt in the truck, that's a law. Jeff

bouyhunter · 01-08-2007, 08:49 PM

I think you should be responsible, and wear them when the conditions call for them.
If you're going to run hard, or you're out in big water - Landyards and vests should be on. It's just common sense.
Admittedly, I've been out in big water and didn't vest many times, but I'm a little older now and feeling a little more "mortal".
I agree, I don't want the Gov't to mandate this, and the seatbelt thing, well, it's hard for me to change my ways, and I often don't even think about the fact that I rarely wear one.
Life vest is different - if the conditions call for it, USE it. If your cruising through the ICW at reduced speed, I don't see it necessary. BUT... at no time underway (except maybe idle) should anyone be on the sunpad or deck. That's just an injury waiting to happen.

PhantomChaos · 01-08-2007, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bouyhunter

I think you should be responsible, and wear them when the conditions call for them.
If you're going to run hard, or you're out in big water - Landyards and vests should be on. It's just common sense.
Admittedly, I've been out in big water and didn't vest many times, but I'm a little older now and feeling a little more "mortal".
I agree, I don't want the Gov't to mandate this, and the seatbelt thing, well, it's hard for me to change my ways, and I often don't even think about the fact that I rarely wear one.
Life vest is different - if the conditions call for it, USE it. If your cruising through the ICW at reduced speed, I don't see it necessary. BUT... at no time underway (except maybe idle) should anyone be on the sunpad or deck. That's just an injury waiting to happen.

Wow!!! Common sense!

fountainracing42 · 01-08-2007, 09:08 PM

this thread is going to get beat to death!!!!

Jupiter Sunsation · 01-08-2007, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fountainracing42

the reason isnt obvious. YES lifejackets save lives..that is a fact HOWEVER: I am sick of goverment agencies pracing laws on us. This is a free counrty. If I choose to wear a seat belt, helmet or a lifejacket I will. Why do you want more regulations?

This is the right idea. Freedom of individual choice to wear or not wear. I personally vest up depending on the conditions (fast poker runs/ bahamas trips/ big water are vest occasions). ICW at 25 mph/ idle are not.