It's Not Enough Just To Wear A Pfd

[Ski213]

It seems like I've seen more topics about the potential results of not wearing PFDs here lately. I just wanted to share the results of a little unscientific testing of the PFDs I've been carrying on my boat, which to some extent was prompted by what I've read here.

I've been carrying 3 outfits. Two class III vests, and an inflatable (manual) that I bought years ago. I've been saying for a year or so that I was gonna see how they actually performed. I did that last weekend. I basically wanted to see how they would float me if I was knocked out. I figure there is a good chance that if I get tossed, its going to be at interstate speed so there's a good chance I'm either going to be out cold, injured, or at the very least extremely disoriented. None of those three options are ok in the water.

All three vests floated me. The two type IIIs flipped me on my face if I remained limp every single time. One much faster than the other. The inflatable held me face up. Even if I tried to get my face in the water I couldn't. The fact that its manual makes it even more ineffective in a high speed or knock out situation than the others, but its flotation characteristics were far superior. One of the vests probably wouldn't even stay on me in a high impact situation.

All would work in a slightly less than ideal situation but not if I was out cold. I'm absolutely NOT saying that you shouldn't wear a PFD of any kind. I'm saying that you should take the time to know what you're actually trusting your life to.

When I did MX, I wore over a grand worth of protective gear and didn't blink an eye buying that but I've skimped on marine safety. I'm not trying to lecture or down talk any available equipment, I just don't want anyone else to have the false sense of security that I have had, and make informed decisions when purchasing that equipment.

[A-Jay]

Good Idea testing your equipment. 

 

Not all of the five types of Personal Floatation Device are designed to re-right an unconscious victim.

 

In fact only the Type I will do it with any regularity and not every time in every condition.

 

Each type has it's pro's & con's along with varying levels of inherent flotation / Buoyancy.

 

 Along with meeting legal requirements, it's up to the user to get what's best for their particular needs.

 

A false sense of security can sometimes be attributed to not being informed and thus having unrealistic expectations.

 

A-Jay

 

 

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5214/pfdselection.asp#recreational 

 

http://mustangsurvival.com/blog/2011-04/five-types-pfds?country=25

 

 

 

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[Ski213]

Good Idea testing your equipment. 

 

Not all of the five types of Personal Floatation Device are designed to re-right an unconscious victim.

 

In fact only the Type I will do it with any regularity and not every time in every condition.

 

Each type has it's pro's & con's along with varying levels of inherent flotation / Buoyancy.

 

 Along with meeting legal requirements, it's up to the user to get what's best for their particular needs.

 

A false sense of security can sometimes be attributed to not being informed and thus having unrealistic expectations.

 

A-Jay

 

 

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5214/pfdselection.asp#recreational 

 

http://mustangsurvival.com/blog/2011-04/five-types-pfds?country=25

 

 

 

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I totally agree with the unrealistic expectations. I probably did, but did not intend to sound like I felt that any of what I tried performed at a level less than was promised by the manufacturer. The type III PFDs did exactly what they promised to do.

I just kind of feel that people make uneducated assumptions that they're "safe" when maybe they're not as much so as they assume. Myself included at times. Anything is better than nothing for sure and its on the end user to understand what they're dealing with.

I'm going to check out those links. I hope others do as well.

I think that I speak for all of us when I say that we appreciate your service and your advice.

[Mike L]

You both gave us something to think about.

When I bought mine I really didn't give it a lot thought.

I bought my first one because I had too. I stuggled to decide which because of the price, not giving any thought at all about how it would perform which should have been the top priority and d**n the cost.

Luckily common sense and Mrs Mike's insistence prevailed.

Thanks

Mike

[A-Jay]

A large portion of my career revolved around Training & Instructing Professional, Commercial & Civilian mariners on the proper & effective use of Survival Equipment. My Perspective on Personal Floatation Devices goes like this;

The device has to be reasonably comfortable.  I say this first because regardless of the type, if you don’t wear it it’s useless.  However, there is a tradeoff between “Comfortable” and effectiveness.  Generally the lighter, less bulky types / designs are more comfortable but provide less buoyancy which is what the PFD is all about.  Learning which types are required by law and how each performs allows one to make an educated decision.

Going overboard unexpectedly is always a life threatening event and a shock, regardless of the circumstances.  There are several factors that can & will complicate and magnify this emergency.

They include but are not limited to Cold ~ both Air & Water temps (regardless of the survival equipment worn), Rough water, meaning wind & waves, operating in current, (like rivers and tidal water), being ALONE, fishing from a smaller craft, being injured on the way over the side, not being able to swim and obviously not wearing a Life Jacket.

Other things to think about: going overboard fully dressed is not like swimming at the beach.  A cotton hoodie & denim jeans make moving at all in the water very difficult – PFD really helps here.

  Getting back on board ones vessel in water logged clothes is very difficult; especially when fishing alone. On boats large enough to have one, a boarding ladder is a must.  On smaller boats, (canoes, kayaks & smaller john boats) these boats often capsize as part of the event.  Depending on a long list of factors, re-righting the boat may or may not be an option.  But getting out of cold water ASAP is not an option and needs to happen sooner rather than later. Climbing up onto a capsized hull is even good just to get out of cold water. Your Life Jacket will assist a conscious victim to stay afloat until help arrives (hopefully). Hyperthermia Kills people.

Years of searching for victims has proven that it is best to Stay With Your Boat.  Whether it is capsized or if it’s up right and you just can’t board it. The craft offers two important benefits; first it makes a much better locating target.  A persons head bobbing around in waves in really hard to see & find.  Second, your boat provides something to hang on to. 

 

Personally, I fish from a 16 ft canoe. The vast majority of the time I’m alone and there’s NO One else on the water with me.  In the warmer months, I fish at night. I carry two type III PFD’s in the boat that are laid on the deck up on the bow so that if the canoe capsizes they will float free.  I wear an inflatable Mustang HIT type PFD.

 In my mind the two most important factors that I can control every trip I make are; that my wife knows exactly where I’m going and when I’ll be back; and I’m wearing that life jacket while I’m out there.

 

A-Jay​

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[roadwarrior]

A very professional perspective.

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

[WRB]

Excellent information A-Jay.

As noted in earlier threads on this topic the majority of bass boat anglers only wear PFD's when required by tournament rules, otherwise they are stored. The suspenders types are the most common, about 50% are automatic inflation the other half manual Co2 cartridge types. If yoo are traveling at trolling motor speed, the suspenders will work if the cartridge works. If you have this type PFD keep the Co2 cartridge up to date!

In my youth I water skied at high speeds and raced boats at very high speeds, hitting the water at over 50 mph will cause severe internal damage and can break arms and legs. PFD's for bass boats traveling over 50 mph, suspenders may not stay on, you need a high speed chest and neck protection that the padding and multiple straps provide.

No PFD works stored, the kill switch doesn't work unless it's attached to you.

If you fish alone you need to be able to get back into your boat after falling in the water. My boat doesn't have a swim step, so I use a heavy rope about 6' long attached to the rear cleat in a loop to use as a rope step, it works!

Tom

[Silas]

Good point on getting back in the boat, Tom.

At 72, I fell off the boat near the pier and had one of the Mustang HIT self/manual inflatables. Expensive but worked like a charm!! Face and head bobbed right up.

Then tried to climb into my Tracker 16 Pro. Could not lift my leg to do it. Swam to the pier.

Went to Academy and purchased a small hooked ladder. Fits along the side of the boat and bungeed there. I can reach into the boat from the water, unfold the handles, hook them to side or back (3 rungs) and climb in.

I think I was lucky falling in because it never occurred to me I might not be able to climb back into the boat.

A very fortuitous fall!!

[Dwight Hottle]

Another thought about getting back in your boat is to use the engine. If you have an electric tilt you can step on the lower unit then tilt the engine up to help you get back in. 

[Skeeter Dan]

Another thought about getting back in your boat is to use the engine. If you have an electric tilt you can step on the lower unit then tilt the engine up to help you get back in. 

You must have ESPN !  I was thinking the same thing. I have used this trick for many of years behind jet boats , inboard outdrives and outboards . Its always worked for me.

[Dwight Hottle]

You must have ESPN !  I was thinking the same thing. I have used this trick for many of years behind jet boats , inboard outdrives and outboards . Its always worked for me.

 

It never hurts to have a plan just in case. 

[jbw252]

Thanks A-Jay for the proficient advice.

[zachb34]

I had a friend when I played hockey who was a world class water skier (if that's even a word). In sure he wasn't going as fast as some of the bass boats do, and he managed to break his femur on impact. Supposedly that's one of the hardest bones to break in the human body. I'm sure swimming (if you're still awake) would be difficult in that type of pain.

[F14A-B]

Yup A-Jay, that is a comprehensive write up on a very important topic. Very well done.

I would only add one thing I find disturbing.. If folks are going to invest in auto inflation ( co2 cartridge actuated devices ) why not test them?

Many never fire the life saving device, ever..

I'm of the opinion that they should be fired off & tested. Expense always seems to be the reason not to. I would say, skip the new crank baits, jigs, breakfast at Cracker Barrel, Starbucks coffee.. Anything, but test your device, your life may well depend on it.

[RB 77]

PFD's are crucial! I have an auto inflatable and it works like a charm. Don't ask me how I know, it was my mistake. I'm just glad I had it on when I discovered it worked as advertised. BTW, that was a great write up A-Jay and I'm sure it will be helpful to some of the BR members. Good on ya!