The Great Life Jacket Debate

**Havasuing** · 05-24-2014, 09:01 PM

Although the Lifeline jackets are the best on the market IMO, they are not U.S. Coast Guard approved (an issue of high cost of certification and relatively low production volume) it can be a problem if stopped for a 'safety' check on-the-water by law enforcement (better have some of those attractive orange horse-collar ones on-board just to be safe). Also, don't assume that your 'race' jacket or your 'high-performance sport' jacket will automatically turn and float you face-up in case of a bad accident -- it may not. Although they are designed for that purpose, body type, height, weight, clothing, driving suit, etc. may prevent that from happening. The only way to know for sure is to head to the nearest swimming pool, buckle-up and take a full speed running leap (try it several times with several different entry positions). Once you hit the water, go limp (no cheating). If you're not floating on your back, face-up in thirty seconds, that jacket needs to go back to the manufacturer and have them modify the flotation material (if you take pictures or a short video of your swimming pool trials, it will help get the problem solved). Remember, if the jacket has leg straps, those should be very loose so the jacket can ride-up around your neck and under your chin for more support where you need it.

**boat411** · 05-24-2014, 09:03 PM

I posted this on your FB as well. I'm willing to bet it gets deleted.

Vic (HotBoat), I know you heard about the accident at Folsom Lake that claimed the lives of our friends two weeks ago. Your thread and comments about life vests is not only poor timing but shows that you and your website have no class and will do anything to get views.

**HB Vic** · 05-24-2014, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by boat411

I posted this on your FB as well. I'm willing to bet it gets deleted.

Vic (HotBoat), I know you heard about the accident at Folsom Lake that claimed the lives of our friends two weeks ago. Your thread and comments about life vests is not only poor timing but shows that you and your website have no class and will do anything to get views.

Life jackets have been a debated topic forever. This thread and the topic has absolutely nothing to do with that accident or your friends. If you think it does I apologize.

I did not delete the FB thread. I'm not sure who did. But I will find out.

No class? It that's what you think I won't even attempt to change your mind. You said your friends. So I'm am sorry for your loss. But this topic and thread has absolutely nothing to do with that accident.

HB

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**HB Vic** · 05-24-2014, 09:15 PM

I just checked with the only other person who has access to the hotboat FB account. He did not delete anything. So that means the OP had to delete it.

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**boat411** · 05-24-2014, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Hotboat

There have been a few recent boat incidents involving boaters operating their boats without life jackets. Both recreational boaters and racers have lost their lives in boating accidents over the past several months to a year.

Originally Posted by Hotboat

This thread and the topic has absolutely nothing to do with that accident or your friends. If you think it does I apologize.

Really? Name one other recreational accident in the last year. I lost a lot of respect for you.

**HB Vic** · 05-24-2014, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by boat411

Really? Name one other recreational accident in the last year. I lost a lot of respect for you.

There have been a few Grads. Have a good night.

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**SnoC653** · 05-24-2014, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by Hotboat

There have been a few Grads. Have a good night.

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More than a few. Coast Guard stats show 2013 as safer than 2012.

The fatality rate for 2013 of 4.7 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels reflected a 13 percent decrease from the previous year's rate of 5.4 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels. Property damage totaled approximately $39 million.
"We are pleased that there have been fewer accidents on waterways in recent years and thank our partners for their work," said Capt. Jon Burton, director of inspections and compliance at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters. "Together we will continue to stress the importance of life jacket use, boating education courses and sober boating."
The report states alcohol use was the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; it was listed as the leading factor in 16 percent of deaths. Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and machinery failure ranked as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.
Where the cause of death was known, 77 percent of fatal boating accident victims drowned; of those drowning victims, 84 percent were not wearing a life jacket. Where boating instruction was known, 20 percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received boating safety instruction. The most common types of vessels involved in reported accidents were open motorboats, personal watercraft and cabin motorboats.

The full article can be read here: http://lakeexpo.com/news/lake_news/a...a4bcf887a.html
Or go to the USCG document here: http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/...atingStats.pdf

77% is a big number in my book and it is easy to bring that number down.