Life Jackets
05-11-2021 | 04:57 PM
#11
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 462
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From: Palos, Illinois
As others have said the most important thing is to wear them. Get the most comfortable one that fits you the best and keep it out. I hated the thought of wearing one until I started Bass fishing competitively, as long a the big motor is running you must have it on or you are disqualified. This gets you in the habit quick.
I found if you take them out and place them on the seats or bolster you will have a tendency to put it on.
I found if you take them out and place them on the seats or bolster you will have a tendency to put it on.
05-11-2021 | 05:48 PM
#12
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A lot of good posts, and I just want to point out that the only way to even be halfway safe in any open cockpit boat running 100++ is with a REAL lifeline that will float you face up and a helmet with restraints, along with ballistic shorts (add a parachute to your back if you plan on going really fast). I ran an open cockpit hydro through the lights at 165mph (max top speed allowed in an open hydro in NJBA is 165.00mph), and this is the gear I had to wear. I really don't see anyone wearing all this in a poker run, but it's what we all should be wearing if we want to be safe. For me, actually wearing the Mustang inflatables is a lot better than nothing, and the best thing we can all do is to NEVER drink and drive, and also slow down to not drive past the limits of what is safe for the boat we are in for the conditions.
05-11-2021 | 05:51 PM
#13
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 712
Likes: 578
From: Bradenton, Fl.
I have some thoughts:
Example of inflatable jacket not inflating and person drowning while surrounded by people trying to rescue him
In the above example the inflatable jacket was 16 years old and failed to inflate - could have been in manual mode however, we don't know.
Example of PWC style jacket staying on and keeping head above water after crash
Example of inflatable jacket not inflating and person drowning while surrounded by people trying to rescue him
In the above example the inflatable jacket was 16 years old and failed to inflate - could have been in manual mode however, we don't know.
Example of PWC style jacket staying on and keeping head above water after crash
Where cause of death was known, 79% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of
those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 86% were not wearing a life jacket.
ONE SHOULD KNOW that wearing a PDF saves lives. And SOME die with them on. But that's NOT what this thread is about.
05-11-2021 | 06:02 PM
#14
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 366
From: 20.5 mm LOTO
I agree 100% on the phrase, The one you wear ...
That being said, we have Lifelines and it is much like wearing a seat belt. When you first started using it, it felt funny, uncomfortable and you were self conscious. But by the end of the run, and from that first day forward, it becomes second nature. Now..... It feels the exact opposite when you get in the boat and go for a ride, without having the jacket on.
I will also add, law enforcement in the area you boat regularly will also take notice. Quick side story: We always kept our boat in storage and commuted to the lake. When we came in for the weekend, I would grab boat from storage, splash it and wife would take it back to our place, while I took trailer etc back to storage. We then boated all weekend and took back out when we went to go back home. One weekend nearing the end of the season, water patrol was at the dock doing their thing and while I waited for the wife to show up with the boat, we started talking. As soon as I stated what boat I was waiting on, they both said: Oh you are the ones with the matching jackets.... Kind of floored me, there is 1000's of boats on LOTO on a busy weekend and they took notice of us. And... every time they had a check point during the summer, we always got waived through. Bottom line, safety pays!
That being said, we have Lifelines and it is much like wearing a seat belt. When you first started using it, it felt funny, uncomfortable and you were self conscious. But by the end of the run, and from that first day forward, it becomes second nature. Now..... It feels the exact opposite when you get in the boat and go for a ride, without having the jacket on.
I will also add, law enforcement in the area you boat regularly will also take notice. Quick side story: We always kept our boat in storage and commuted to the lake. When we came in for the weekend, I would grab boat from storage, splash it and wife would take it back to our place, while I took trailer etc back to storage. We then boated all weekend and took back out when we went to go back home. One weekend nearing the end of the season, water patrol was at the dock doing their thing and while I waited for the wife to show up with the boat, we started talking. As soon as I stated what boat I was waiting on, they both said: Oh you are the ones with the matching jackets.... Kind of floored me, there is 1000's of boats on LOTO on a busy weekend and they took notice of us. And... every time they had a check point during the summer, we always got waived through. Bottom line, safety pays!
Last edited by bajaholic; 05-11-2021 at 06:05 PM.
05-11-2021 | 06:22 PM
#15
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 920
Likes: 599
From: Central Louisiana
I personally like the neoprene style fitted jackets that the ski and wake board guys wear. This is the jacket I use. Im definitely guilty of not wearing it but Im also not in a performance boat. When we were doing a lot of sailing in big water I would wear it because it is so comfortable. After awhile you didn't even notice it on. They are definitely not ocean rated but its better then nothing at all or a pair of blue jeans blown up tied around your chest.
https://www.obrien.com/o-brien-men-s...e/5637342017.p
https://www.obrien.com/o-brien-men-s...e/5637342017.p
05-12-2021 | 06:55 AM
#16
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Clarkston, Michigan
I have some thoughts:
Example of inflatable jacket not inflating and person drowning while surrounded by people trying to rescue him
In the above example the inflatable jacket was 16 years old and failed to inflate - could have been in manual mode however, we don't know.
Example of PWC style jacket staying on and keeping head above water after crash
In the above example the person did wind up perishing but the lifejacket seems to have done a good job - she was probably riding fairly fast on the jet ski and the vest stayed on her body after the crash and kept her head above water.
Where I boat it's just too hot to wear a PWC style jacket if you're not getting splashed/soaking wet and getting cooled down often. To me, inflatable is better than nothing just be sure to keep them in good shape(replace when expired, don't store in 120 degree boat cabin etc) and make sure the people wearing them know how they work. That last part is key - to you it's common sense but some people you may bring on the boat just have no clue about anything boating related. I once asked a (smart, engineer!)friend to drop the anchor and didn't give him any instructions (other than not to throw it) figuring it was common sense. He payed out all 200 feet of anchor rode and it was only 4 feet deep...
Example of inflatable jacket not inflating and person drowning while surrounded by people trying to rescue him
In the above example the inflatable jacket was 16 years old and failed to inflate - could have been in manual mode however, we don't know.
Example of PWC style jacket staying on and keeping head above water after crash
In the above example the person did wind up perishing but the lifejacket seems to have done a good job - she was probably riding fairly fast on the jet ski and the vest stayed on her body after the crash and kept her head above water.
Where I boat it's just too hot to wear a PWC style jacket if you're not getting splashed/soaking wet and getting cooled down often. To me, inflatable is better than nothing just be sure to keep them in good shape(replace when expired, don't store in 120 degree boat cabin etc) and make sure the people wearing them know how they work. That last part is key - to you it's common sense but some people you may bring on the boat just have no clue about anything boating related. I once asked a (smart, engineer!)friend to drop the anchor and didn't give him any instructions (other than not to throw it) figuring it was common sense. He payed out all 200 feet of anchor rode and it was only 4 feet deep...
I'm going to look into the Mustangs more and maybe start out with two of them. I like the idea of adding a crotch strap. I won't allow children on my boat if they don't have a proper child's vest with crotch strap.
05-12-2021 | 07:01 AM
#17
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,317
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From: Merritt Island, FL
A little off topic but I can top that story. We stopped once and my anchor and line was coiled up on the cockpit floor. My helpful lady passenger promptly tossed it into the water to which I exclaimed "I usually clip it to the boat first..."
I'm going to look into the Mustangs more and maybe start out with two of them. I like the idea of adding a crotch strap. I won't allow children on my boat if they don't have a proper child's vest with crotch strap.
I'm going to look into the Mustangs more and maybe start out with two of them. I like the idea of adding a crotch strap. I won't allow children on my boat if they don't have a proper child's vest with crotch strap.
05-12-2021 | 08:17 AM
#18
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From: Clarkston, Michigan
I will do that. There are lots of these on the market at all price points. Any recommendations for a performance application? Auto inflate feature is a must. There are Defender brand, Mustang brand and others on Amazon. I'm lost!
05-12-2021 | 08:51 AM
#19
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11,434
Likes: 3,961
From: Midwest & T-Rock
A lot of good posts, and I just want to point out that the only way to even be halfway safe in any open cockpit boat running 100++ is with a REAL lifeline that will float you face up and a helmet with restraints, along with ballistic shorts (add a parachute to your back if you plan on going really fast). I ran an open cockpit hydro through the lights at 165mph (max top speed allowed in an open hydro in NJBA is 165.00mph), and this is the gear I had to wear. I really don't see anyone wearing all this in a poker run, but it's what we all should be wearing if we want to be safe. For me, actually wearing the Mustang inflatables is a lot better than nothing, and the best thing we can all do is to NEVER drink and drive, and also slow down to not drive past the limits of what is safe for the boat we are in for the conditions.
