Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

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?

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

I always wear LifeLines. The reasons should be obvious.

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

Life lines going to pick up some new ones

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

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?

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

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

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

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

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

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.

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

Wow!!! Common sense! :D

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

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

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

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.

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

I wear mine anytime I'm going much faster than idling,same for my tether,I get some strange looks by all the "cool" guys that don't wear them,especially when racing but things can happen real quick and I want every chance of coming out ok,Smitty

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

I bought 8 lifelines so that everyone in the boat will have one.
on a lake i never wear one but in the ocean everyone wears one. you never know when a whale might pop up right in front of you,( and trust me that gets your attention ) plus i go faster in the ocean for longer distances.

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

We started making Lifelines manditory for all ages after taking Tres Martin's school in 2005.
It was a hard sell at first for my family, especialy on the TopGun vrs my Cat.The higher freeboard makes people feel very safe!
You just never know!

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

You wear your Lifeline vest on the OSO boat or you don't ride, no exceptions.

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

The wife and I have flown twice to ride with friends on poker runs and we have carried our custom fit LifeLines with us on the plane. They are so important that we do not check them and risk them being lost or stolen.

You only get one chance!

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

I boat on lakes only. They are usually very smooth. I rarely exceed 60 mph. I only wear a jacket if the conditions call for it.
....And --- Get this : My old boat doesn`t even have a safety lanyard. I am going to install one before spring though.
If I was running in the ocean , you bet - everyone on my boat will wear one ! It`s just different out there....

In Texas, children 12 and under MUST wear a jacket anytime the vessel is underway --- and I STRICTLY enforce this law on my boat. If you`re not a strong swimmer (like my older sister) I require you wear a jacket or sit on shore.

Just common sense here folks...

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

I bought five lifeline jackets for poker running and think it is a great idea for them to be mandatory on those runs. That being said I think it is a private boaters choice to wear them when he or she is recreational boating.

I DO think these types of protective jackets need to be worn when boaters are out going fast and/or doing anything that exceeds cruising around at slow to moderate speeds. If you are going to go out and "Hammer Down" you need these jackets for protection.

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

Copied online from the following link:

Boating is enjoyable and relaxing, but accidents do happen. In 2004, across the United States there were 4,904 recreational boating accidents resulting in 3,363 injuries and 676 deaths.

The most common causes of boating accidents are collisions with other boats, collisions with fixed objects, people falling overboard, capsizing, and skier mishaps. Capsizing and falls overboard resulted in more than half of the reported fatalities in 2004. Other potential accidents involve sinking or flooding, explosions, fires, disappearances, and carbon monoxide asphyxiation. Alcohol is involved in over one-third of boating accidents and boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in every state.



http://accident-law.freeadvice.com/a...-accidents.htm


I would say a lot more people die on lakes under 60 MPH then in the ocean. Some would still be around if they were wearing a PFD.

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

Everytime

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

Not trying to be a jerk, but if you are going to quote the law,

Here it is, from the Texas water safety digest.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publicat...br_l2000_0001/

Lifesaving Devices
All Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) must be U.S. Coast Guard approved, in serviceable condition, readily accessible, and of the appropriate size for intended user.[/COLOR]

All children under 13 years of age in motorboats under 26 feet in length must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD while underway. Underway means not at anchor, made fast to the shore, or aground.

All vessels, including canoes and kayaks, must be equipped with one Type I, II, III or V wearable PFD for each person on board. A Type V PFD is acceptable only if used in accordance with the specific instructions on the label of the device.

Vessels 16 feet and longer, excluding canoes and kayaks, are required to be equipped with one Type IV throwable PFD in addition to the Type I, II, III, or V PFD required for each person on board.

Inflatable PFDs are authorized only when used in accordance with requirements as presented on U.S. Coast Guard approval labels. Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use on personal watercraft, waterskiing, or other high speed activity.


I understand this to mean that there is no requirement for boats over 26' in length. However there should be in my opinion.

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

Thats me! Not perfect, just trying to have a good time and use common sense.

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

Here is the Federal law that applies when States do not have their own rules or if you are outside State waters (offshore)

NEW FEDERAL LIFE JACKET RULE
The United States Coast Guard's Life Jacket Rule for Children went into effect December 23, 2002. In support of the ongoing efforts of the states and Coast Guard to improve boating safety, the Coast Guard is requiring that all children under 13 years of age wear Coast Guard approved life jackets, while aboard recreational vessels underway, except when the children are below decks or in an enclosed cabin.
This rule was created to address the problem of childhood drownings while boating. Between 1995 - 2001, 210 of our children, under the age of 13 died while boating. One hundred and twenty one (121) of them by drowning. Most of these deaths could have been prevented if the child had been wearing a properly fitting life jacket.

The Rule affects only those States that have not established requirements, by statute or rule, for children to wear life jackets. For the remaining states, the rule recognizes and adopts the existing state regulation, even if it is less stringent.

Penalties for a boat operator who fails to have all children under the age of 13 wear a life jacket are similar to those for failing to have life jackets on board. Penalties may be assessed up to a maximum of $1,100 for each violation.

Interestingly, I had a hard time finding the new USCG rules even on their website. The USCG rule is a better one, yet defers to State rules regardless of how lax they may be.:rolleyes:

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

2 events helped change my perception on wearing a Lifeline when running hard. First was almost coming out of a boat that was severely chine walking at 80 MPH after the driver quartered a cruiser wake with the tabs and drives up and the second event was the OL accident at SOTW. Now the Lifeline gets put on (with leg straps buckled) everytime when running the main channel at LOTO or attending a Poker Run or other similar type event.

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

Same rule applies on my boat during poker runs. Wear it, or stay on the dock. It's non negotiable.

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

In reference to the tragedy at Marco Island this weekend, I often wonder if novice passengers in a poker run or other high speed run, knows how bad things can go, and how quickly they can do it. Those of us who choose this sport, realize what can happen, but I don't know if a once a year passenger has any idea.

I never have read if the people in this accident were wearing PFD's or not.

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

I've been around boating since I was 10 (42 now) and up until I started to ride on offshore performance boats and breaking the 60, 70, 80 MPH mark I know I didn't appreciate just how much more dangerous and violent things can get at speed. At first I was just exhilarated to be running that fast and hard and then when I experienced hanging half out of the side of a boat at 80 MPH, I quickly realized I could not be cavalier about safety and the proper equipment when running at those speeds. So yes, I agree with your assessment here Cuda based on my own experience. In defense of the captain that almost tossed me out of his boat, he did provide all of us with a LifeLine jacket. Of course, being a newbie I didn't secure the leg straps...and let me tell you that along with my life crossed my mind as I thought I was going overboard!

Re: Life jackets....Yes or no??
 

We wear lifelines when we are going to run very hard, or on a busy weekend. We wore them more last season than any year before. Sometimes the rule got to be anything above idle. But honestly, we did not apply that rule every time out.