Personal Flotation Devices

[Capt Sully]

Re: Personal Flotation Devices

Whats your experience with the PFD's that have the CO2 bottle. ( The self infilating type or pull string type ). You need to screw them in all the way which makes a hole so the air can be released. So how long will the bottle last before the air leaks out. What do you do with yours, let it sit without screwing it in or??

No one replyed about screwing down the co2 bottle, do you keep yours loose or is it screwed in all the way.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Personal Flotation Devices

PFD's aren't something you generally have time to look for and then put on when the need arises. Besides, many people in an emergency have trouble getting their shoes on the right feet. Boating accidents generally involve collisions with one stationary and one fast moving vessel or two moving vessels. You do not have time to start looking for PDFs in those instances. Having a PFD in a locker is of no use to someone pitched overboard from a moving boat whether that person is conscious or not.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Personal Flotation Devices

It is pretty rediculous to think (no offense to others that don't agree) that you can actually get away with forcing people to wear a PFD all the time whilst on a pontoon. It just is not practical. SURE, you are the owner and the skipper and you make the rules. If I were to force everyone to wear a jacket at all times, I would soon be lonely on my boat.

BUT, It is also rediculous to think that in an accident that you can actually don a PFD in some miraculous way right before a collision takes place.

So, how do you maintain a balance???

Well, this is what I do.

As the operator, you need to be able to know your situation when boating. Are you in familiar waters? What is the weather like? What are other boaters doing around you? What is the visibility? How fast are you going? Is there fog? Is it dark? Based on these situations, this is how I tell when a PFD is needed. I always wear one alone, BTW.

In most cases, when driving the boat, I wear a inflatable style jacket with a CO2 cartridge. It is not intrusive and it works. Kids are always in jackets....period. If the circumstances are right, i make everyone wear them or at least have them on their laps.

There is a big difference between moving in open water and say going through a no wake zone in a cove.

Regardless, I am willing to bet that most accidents take place when people get complacent about the conditions.

 

[Bill3434]

Re: Personal Flotation Devices

PFD's aren't something you generally have time to look for and then put on when the need arises. Besides, many people in an emergency have trouble getting their shoes on the right feet. Boating accidents generally involve collisions with one stationary and one fast moving vessel or two moving vessels. You do not have time to start looking for PDFs in those instances. Having a PFD in a locker is of no use to someone pitched overboard from a moving boat whether that person is conscious or not.

Exactly. That's why if not worn they are laying loosely somewhere in the boat and also why I have one extra one, if I have four people in my boat I have 5 vest; plus my two throw cushions. Plus on Milford lake I've seen people written up for not having vest readily available, stowed away is not readily available.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Personal Flotation Devices

No one replyed about screwing down the co2 bottle, do you keep yours loose or is it screwed in all the way.

I keep mine ready to go and be discharged.

 

[Nightfisher-]

Re: Personal Flotation Devices

I'll admit that I'm guilty of not wearing mine. But there are always enough aboard for everyone, my throw cushion is beside the helm with 30ft of rope tied to it, and any kids not old enough or who don't know how to swim wear a PFD at all times, older kids under 16 wear one when underway, but can take it off when stopped. I, my wife, and 2 sons all have vest style PFDs that are pre-adjusted and can just be slipped on and buckled very quickly. Guests have to settle for the cheap orange vests.

PFD's aren't something you generally have time to look for and then put on when the need arises. Besides, many people in an emergency have trouble getting their shoes on the right feet. Boating accidents generally involve collisions with one stationary and one fast moving vessel or two moving vessels. You do not have time to start looking for PDFs in those instances.

We had an instance here a few years ago where a guy in a jon boat was fishing at night and another larger boat ran right over his and killed him. There were no witnesses and it took weeks to find the culprit because he went home and claimed the thought he hit a log, even though the news was reporting a fatal collision for a week or so before he spoke up. Scary stuff. Never did hear if the guy in the jon had his lights off (surprisingly very common) or if drinking or inattention was involved on the other side. In a small boat in open water I would wear mine much, much more than I do now. On my toon at night I am very aware of my surroundings, don't sleep unless somewhere very secure, and am almost never alone so I have a sense of security that may be false.

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: Personal Flotation Devices

I keep mine ready to go and be discharged.

WaterDR, how long does your co2 last before it leaks out, or does it ???

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Personal Flotation Devices

I went all season without any issues, but will check in the Spring.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Personal Flotation Devices

My scarriest advanture on our pontoon was going up to Stillwater to watch the fireworks. While it was fun, the nut jobs running south down the St. Croix in the dark at full speed....hundreds of them....

We stayed very near the shore until they were all past and then took a normal stroll back home.

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: Personal Flotation Devices

I went all season without any issues, but will check in the Spring.

Thanks, good to know.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Personal Flotation Devices

The inflatable PFD's are nice, but really, really expensive. I don't want an auto inflator, however.

I buy a bunch of the cheap orange PFD's in bulk to satisfy the Water Patrol and Coast Guard, and they're stashed under one seat on my pontoon.

The grandchildren have their own neoprene ski vests that they wear all the time. I also have some extras for various sizes of children. We also have a couple of adult size nice vests for my wife and daughter.

And don't forget to carry a throwing device that's legally required.

When floating, I really prefer 15" or 16' auto inner tubes. Noodles are a pain on a boat, and are not allowed.