Each year as the boating season begins we see messages about Safe Boating Week, Month or Year. I prefer Safe Boating Year! I have addressed the topic in this column before but it bears repeating.

I believe it is up to each boater to do all things possible to enjoy a safe year on the water. Those who ignore the warnings, tips and advice and never have a problem are just lucky and eventually ­ their luck runs out. Now may be a good time to start practicing safe boating so when that luck runs out, you’ll be ready.

The number one item most safety council literature mentions is lifejackets and each year logos are developed that promote wearing a PFD (personal floatation device).

We all know boaters who just won’t wear them; in fact I can’t say I always wear my PFD. I can say I have unexpectedly found myself in the water.

Most of the times I have gone overboard, I was wearing a lifejacket. One time when I was not, I discovered a very important fact. PFD’s are not easy to put on in the water. They are even difficult to fasten if just slipped on. If you are a strong swimmer, you can put a PFD on in the water. The problem is, in the water the jacket is floating above your shoulders and you have to pull it down against the pull of the floatation material. This does not happen easily, just try to visualize it.

I have rescued people clutching a PFD and once safely out of the water they told of how tiring it was trying to put the jacket on. One person was so exhausted from attempting to get his jacket on; he barely had enough strength to keep himself afloat. Just trying to snap a fastener or pull up a zipper is very difficult.

If you have doubts about what I am relating, try it. Have someone in the water with his or her lifejacket on and have a ladder ready over the side or aft then go in the water with your jacket and try to put it on. After a few attempts, you will better understand one of the safety council’s logos, “It Won’t Work If You Don’t Wear It!”

Having a PFD on but not fastened is not quite as difficult to deal with but try it sometime. It’s a lot more work than you might think. I once recovered a boating accident victim with his lifejacket on but not fastened. This could have been what cost him his life because the Type III jacket held him face down with his arms extended.

A Type III lifejacket is one of the more comfortable styles but it must be fastened to be of any assistance when you’re in the water. Many of the Type III jackets are very flexible which makes them more comfortable when wearing them. It also makes them difficult to use as a float if you’re not wearing it and land in the water.

The practice of putting a PFD on in the water with ready assistance is something every boater should experience. Each family member or friend that goes on your boat should also do the drill. These actions will covert many who say there is no need to put the jacket on.

If you are aboard a vessel that is taking on water, you may have time to get lifejackets on all those aboard. You may not have time to determine where the water is coming from and stop it or to bail after getting the jackets out and helping everyone put them on. If you have your PFD on and fastened when you enter the water you will have a much better chance of surviving while awaiting rescue.

You may not have time to place a MayDay call but if you ever have to place one from a sinking vessel, you must not only call MayDay but also give your position and number of POBs (persons on board). If you have time for further communications, give a description of your vessel, its size and color. Describe any objects nearby such as lighthouses, navigation aids or shore sightings.

Once your vessel goes down those who received your MayDay call will know where to search for you. Although it will be very difficult with the adrenalin rush, try to speak slowly and clearly.
You may be thinking as you read my column that I endorse mandatory wearing of PFDs for adults.

That is not the case; I’m sure each of us knows the value of our lives. I just hope to dispel the belief many have that they can just swim to shore. Those who do believe that may be sadly mistaken. I was involved in a case of a boat sinking with three men aboard after their vessel was hit by a giant wave. The sole survivor told of the boat going down in a matter of minutes two miles from shore. Although the man was in excellent condition and a very good swimmer, it took him about eight hours to swim to shore. When he discovered where he was he was shocked to learn he was ten miles from where the boat had sunk. No one on board was wearing a PFD.

Take the challenge if you think you don’t need to wear a lifejacket. Try to put one on in the water where you will need it. Better yet, why not just wear one then you won’t have to worry about being able to get it on if you land in the water. Try one of the new inflatables; many are so comfortable you don’t even know you have them on.

 

Return to Home Page of Tipsforboating.com