Life jacket at the dock?

[beason]

I witnessed a little accident this last outing, and it got me thinking.

I know some people are of the mindset that everyone wears lifejackets at all times. I require the kids to do so, and the adults are either sitting on theirs or it is at there feet.

When you stop at a dock say for refreshments, restroom, fuel, etc. do you wear one then?

I saw an older fella hit the water saturday. I missed the first part, only to look up after hearing the splash. (i was roping off my own boat while the girls went to the little store.) This was right along a very busy area, with lots of boats around. I guess the tide was low because the dock was about a foot above my gunwale.

Apparently he was getting out or something, and fell between the boat and dock. I heard two distinctive thumps before the splash, so i think he bounced off both the dock and boat. I called out to him to ask if he was ok, and he shook his head yes. He was kind of in shock to it all, and took a minute before he realized what happened, and guys were on the dock trying to help him out. I would have helped but they were already on the dock (dock hand or gas guy maybe?) and i was still in my boat.

He did have a jacket on, although it was not snapped up. He seemed to be OK, and his wife confirmed that his dignity was the only injury, but it really got me to thinking. What if he would have hit his head? What if no one was around to help him back on the dock? What is the proper safe way to handle this situation?

 

[boat1010]

Re: Life jacket at the dock?

The thing about most of the life jackets that people wear on boats does not keep your face out of the water. So if you bump your head and end up knocked out and face down, that is probably the way you will stay. Yes it will keep you afloat and make it easier for someone to jump in and help. I think that a lot of adults will not wear the life jackets while on the dock. I make sure that the kids that come from my boat and get on the dock keep the jackets on until they get to shore. But you make a very good point. It is very easy to get knocked off of a busy dock.

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: Life jacket at the dock?

I was working on my lift once and took a nice little fall. Was on the front of the boat trying to lower myself down to the bunk and either missed a step or slipped on the bunk. Went flying and hit the bunk full force on my side. Broke a couple ribs and ended up in the water. Luckily it was only chest high and I was able to drag a step ladder off the pier and make my way back up to the house for a nice little ambo ride. I think if I would have hit my head or if water would have been deeper things would have been a lot worse. I now own an auto-inflatable and usually wear it around the pier and boat when I'm alone.

 

[joed]

Re: Life jacket at the dock?

A "lifejacket" should keep your head out of the water. A personal floatation device(PFD) is a different animal that only keeps you afloat.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Life jacket at the dock?

About 10 years ago we had three fatalities in one year at the marinas describing precisely what you're talking about. Drunk early in the AM, fell off the boat, struck the dock and drowned. It happens.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Life jacket at the dock?

I nearly killed myself slipping on invisible frost on the gunwale, at the dock.

To be safe, you should wear a PFD when you are around the water, whether on a boat or a dock. Docks can be particularly dangerous because you can end up stuck under them; not likely with a typical recreational boat. Bump your head and you can drown in inches of water. Consider, as well, how you might climb out, whether next to a high-sided boat or pilings on a pier or along a bulkhead.

Here's the point most people miss when it comes to PFD's. It doesn't matter than you don't need one if you go in the water (good swimmer, shallow water, warm temps, near shore, etc.) on purpose. You wear them for when you don't plan to go in, and when you go in violently (which is why you buckle them, especially on children).

 

[woosterken]

Re: Life jacket at the dock?

well i guess I don't feeel so bad now
I wear my auto inflate when I get out of the truck ,till i get back in.
with arthritis in the ole knees (they dont work like they used to )
and i have the swimming ability of a brick.

the auto inflate are a bit more than the old orange ones , but even my ole beat up body is worth it

woosterken

 

[sschefer]

Re: Life jacket at the dock?

I just replaced my old jackets with auto inflates and I wear one all the time. I got the off shore versions that are supposed to be able to right you if you fall face first and hold you higher in the water. I forget I even have it on. IMHO this is the best boating safety advancement ever. I never wore one at the dock before and rarely put one on in the boat just because the were too cumbersome and I felt awkward enough that I was sure it would contribute to me going over the side. These don't make me feel like that at all. Another upside is that you have to wear these when your in the boat because that's the law. Your passengers can complain but you've got the law on your side so it makes the skippers job a lot easier.

The only draw back is that you still have to keep a regular PFD aboard if you want to jump in for cooling off swim.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Life jacket at the dock?

I have always heard that most serious accidents and deaths occur at the ramp/dock.At my age I think "santa" might just get me one of those fancy auto inflate jackets.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Life jacket at the dock?

I just replaced my old jackets with auto inflates and I wear one all the time. I got the off shore versions that are supposed to be able to right you if you fall face first and hold you higher in the water. I forget I even have it on. IMHO this is the best boating safety advancement ever. I never wore one at the dock before and rarely put one on in the boat just because the were too cumbersome and I felt awkward enough that I was sure it would contribute to me going over the side. These don't make me feel like that at all. Another upside is that you have to wear these when your in the boat because that's the law. Your passengers can complain but you've got the law on your side so it makes the skippers job a lot easier.

The only draw back is that you still have to keep a regular PFD aboard if you want to jump in for cooling off swim.

Also a couple more things to worry about. Or atleast know. I also use the inflatables sometimes if out by myself.

There are some things to consider before you switch to the Auto Inflators.

1) As opposed to conventional, inherently buoyant PFDs, these are high-tech devices. They will not provide buoyancy until they?re inflated. This imposes a higher level of responsibility on the user. They MUST be carefully inspected before each use to see that the inflator mechanism is armed and in good condition. The bladder must not leak, and the user must be familiar with its use and operation. This is a big difference from using a conventional PFD. That's also why they?re not approved for use with persons less than 16 years old.

2) They are not recommended for swift water sports (white water) or any activity where the user will probably get soaked (personal watercraft, sailboards).

3) Cold weather adversely affects the operation of these PFDs. While the CO2 cartridge will fully inflate the vest most of the year, in extremely cold temperatures the same amount of gas will not expand to the same volume, reducing the vest?s buoyancy.

4) While they are designed to auto-inflate only when immersed in water and not by rain or high humidity, the ?pill/bobbin? material can break down under these conditions and activate the inflator.

5) Inflatable PFDs provide no protection from hypothermia.

6) Since there is a slight delay from immersion to inflation, they are not recommended for non-swimmers.

7) An inflatable MUST be worn as the outermost layer. Never wear a coat or rain gear over these vests.

8) These are considered a type V by the coast gaurd and muct be worn to count as one of your life jackets on board. If you do not wear them and you get pulled over and inspected, you must have regular approved pfd because the inflatables only count if they are worn.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Life jacket at the dock?

I agree with most of your comments because I have to, they're straight out of the owners manuals. The only one I can't agree with is the one about hypothermia. None of my regular PFD's would prevent that either. The part about swift water sports is pretty obvious to me but it might not be to others. One of the other reasons I went with the off-shore version was because I do fish in cold weather. The extra capacity of these units will still provide adequate boyancy. And finally, yes, just like a normal PFD, they do require regular inspection.

The one thing I might add is that if you buy extra cartridges for these units (and you should) make sure you get the correct ones. The larger ones will over inflate the smaller vests and can cause them to fail. And finally, these do not negate the requirement to carry a throwable floatation device in boats 16' and over, an extra life jacket doesn't count for that either.

The real point about these is that you have to wear them so they don't get shoved in a locker on the boat and not worn like most boaters do.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Life jacket at the dock?

I agree with most of your comments because I have to, they're straight out of the owners manuals. The only one I can't agree with is the one about hypothermia. None of my regular PFD's would prevent that either. The part about swift water sports is pretty obvious to me but it might not be to others. One of the other reasons I went with the off-shore version was because I do fish in cold weather. The extra capacity of these units will still provide adequate boyancy. And finally, yes, just like a normal PFD, they do require regular inspection.


The one thing I might add is that if you buy extra cartridges for these units (and you should) make sure you get the correct ones. The larger ones will over inflate the smaller vests and can cause them to fail. And finally, these do not negate the requirement to carry a throwable floatation device in boats 16' and over, an extra life jacket doesn't count for that either.

The real point about these is that you have to wear them so they don't get shoved in a locker on the boat and not worn like most boaters do.

Yeah, I didn't get the hypothermia thing either other than I guess a regular life vest might have a little more insulation. Just thought the rest was good info for people that didn't know.

 

[jondavies]

Re: Life jacket at the dock?

I imagine they are comparing it to a "float coat" type of PFD:



I'm not sure how much thermal protection they offer in the water but it's better than nothing.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Life jacket at the dock?

I have a float coat (bomber jacket style) that will help with hypothermia but it's not a survival suit. In cold weather, though, it's comfortable enough to wear around the water as well as out on the boat. It's too hot, though, for wrm weather boating or activity such as canoeing.

The most important feature of any FFD is comfort. If it's not comfortable, you won't wear it when you need it--and when you need it most is when you don't think you do.