01-19-2007, 09:03 PM
[center][size 3]![[Image: lifeja1.gif]](http://www.boatingsafety.com/lifeja1.gif)
[/size][/center][indent][size 2]Now that summer is here, it is time to dust off the gear, rinse off the boat, and head for your favorite fishing spot. You don't even have to tell the kids twice, away you go. STOP!! Have you checked your safety gear yet this year? If you are like most of us, probably not. Safety equipment is the most important thing you need to verify that you have on your boat each year. It is called safety gear because your life, or that of a loved one, may depend on having it on board, and in good condition. At the top of every USCG Minimum Safety Equipment list are Personal Flotation Devices, (PFDs). Basically, you need to have one approved, Type I, II, III, or V PFD for everyone on board or on the water ski behind you. If your boat is over 16 feet, you must also have a Type IV Throw Cushion or life ring.[/size][/indent] [size 2]![[Image: pfd1.gif]](http://www.boatingsafety.com/pfd1.gif)
[/size] [size 2]![[Image: pfd2.gif]](http://www.boatingsafety.com/pfd2.gif)
[/size] [size 2]![[Image: pfd3.gif]](http://www.boatingsafety.com/pfd3.gif)
[/size] [size 2]Type 1[/size] [size 2]Type II[/size] [size 2]Type III[/size] [size 2]![[Image: pfd4.gif]](http://www.boatingsafety.com/pfd4.gif)
[/size] [size 2]![[Image: pfd5.gif]](http://www.boatingsafety.com/pfd5.gif)
[/size] [size 2]![[Image: msutang.gif]](http://www.boatingsafety.com/msutang.gif)
[/size] [size 2]Type IV[/size] [size 2]Type V[/size] [size 2]Survival Suit[/size] [indent]
[size 2]I know the dealer sold you an USCG package when you bought the boat 3 or 4 years ago and it is still under the V-Berth seat where you put them. Well that was then, this is now! Has your family grown any since then, in number and/or size? Is your son taking along his best friend? Did you lose a fender last year, causing some one use a Lifejacket between boats instead? When it ripped did you throw it away, making you one short. Do you have children under 6 who are required to wear a lifejacket at all times in a boat, unless in a cabin of one over 26 feet? Does your family dog, or cat, come along with you? I think you can see where I am heading. The only constant we have in life is that things change.[/size]
[size 2]To increase your awareness I would like to point out a couple of common misconceptions. First, is that the "USCG-Approved" label on your PFD guarantees it will save your life. Not true. The stamp only indicates that it has been constructed and tested to minimum standards of construction and flotation. Second, is that less expensive Type II or III vests meet the requirement and are adequate. After all everyone in your family can swim. Wrong! Most people are not strong enough swimmers to survive an extended period of time in the water. What if you are injured? You need a PFD that will keep you afloat even when exhausted or incapacitated. Did you know that Type II, Near-Shore Devices, are only considered effective for keeping your head above water in calm, protected waters. Type III, Flotation Aid Devices are quite literally designed only to be worn to help you to float during wet boating activities like water-skiing or kayaking. In those cases rescue is expected to be immediately available. In caseyou haven't heard yet, Type IV Throwable Devices are no longer allowed as a substitute for Lifejackets.[/size]
[size 2]When evaluating your PFD requirements, I recommend you first look at your boating habits. If you go offshore, buy Type I Off-Shore Devices to meet your "Minimum Equipment Requirements." They are the only lifejackets recommended for rough water, and are capable of turning an unconscious person face up. Always have enough PFDs on board to provide protection for the maximum number of persons allowed on the manufacturer's plate. Please don't store lifejackets under the V-Berth where they may not be accessible during an emergency. The best place for them is in the cockpit, under a seat cushion, where they can float free if the boat sinks. Also, carry a variety of sizes based on your family configuration, even if it means carrying a couple of extras. This is what I call the Emergency Set of PFDs.[/size]
[size 2]Now that you have covered your "Minimum Requirements" lets talk about your "Working Set" of PFDs. The number of boaters who die in boating accidents due to lack of a lifejacket is still four out of five. There is only one way to change this statistic, wear your PFD more often. Are you one of those who thinks PFDs are too bulky or ugly to be worn? Think again! Take a look at the lifejacket display at your favorite marine store or sporting goods store. Style and function are in. If you have to put on a jacket because of weather conditions put on a "Float Coat". If you are racing and need to move around the foredeck quickly, try some of the new Inflatable PFDs. If you are working, or fishing, buy some of the very functional Work or Fishing Vests produced by Stearns, Mustang or other safety conscious manufacturers. Have enough Throw Cushions (Type IV) to go around the sunbathing crowd. If you are into water-skiing, or just horsing around, carry a variety of sizes and styles of Type III Flotation Aids. A good rule of thumb is to have enough stylish, functional, Life Vests on board for maximum number of persons allowed. Get your children in the habit of wearing comfortable life vests all of the time, and encourage others to wear them when they are at risk. Should you encounter severe weather conditions, or are disabled and awaiting assistance, SEA TOW highly recommends you break out, and don, your emergency set of PFDs until conditions improve, or help arrives. A second set of PFDs is well worth the cost to protect your loved ones, and provides a valuable, extra level of security in case of an accident. Please make all of your boating adventures safe ones.[/size][/indent]
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[/size][/center][indent][size 2]Now that summer is here, it is time to dust off the gear, rinse off the boat, and head for your favorite fishing spot. You don't even have to tell the kids twice, away you go. STOP!! Have you checked your safety gear yet this year? If you are like most of us, probably not. Safety equipment is the most important thing you need to verify that you have on your boat each year. It is called safety gear because your life, or that of a loved one, may depend on having it on board, and in good condition. At the top of every USCG Minimum Safety Equipment list are Personal Flotation Devices, (PFDs). Basically, you need to have one approved, Type I, II, III, or V PFD for everyone on board or on the water ski behind you. If your boat is over 16 feet, you must also have a Type IV Throw Cushion or life ring.[/size][/indent] [size 2][/size] [size 2][/size] [size 2][/size] [size 2]Type 1[/size] [size 2]Type II[/size] [size 2]Type III[/size] [size 2][/size] [size 2][/size] [size 2][/size] [size 2]Type IV[/size] [size 2]Type V[/size] [size 2]Survival Suit[/size] [indent] [size 2]I know the dealer sold you an USCG package when you bought the boat 3 or 4 years ago and it is still under the V-Berth seat where you put them. Well that was then, this is now! Has your family grown any since then, in number and/or size? Is your son taking along his best friend? Did you lose a fender last year, causing some one use a Lifejacket between boats instead? When it ripped did you throw it away, making you one short. Do you have children under 6 who are required to wear a lifejacket at all times in a boat, unless in a cabin of one over 26 feet? Does your family dog, or cat, come along with you? I think you can see where I am heading. The only constant we have in life is that things change.[/size]
[size 2]To increase your awareness I would like to point out a couple of common misconceptions. First, is that the "USCG-Approved" label on your PFD guarantees it will save your life. Not true. The stamp only indicates that it has been constructed and tested to minimum standards of construction and flotation. Second, is that less expensive Type II or III vests meet the requirement and are adequate. After all everyone in your family can swim. Wrong! Most people are not strong enough swimmers to survive an extended period of time in the water. What if you are injured? You need a PFD that will keep you afloat even when exhausted or incapacitated. Did you know that Type II, Near-Shore Devices, are only considered effective for keeping your head above water in calm, protected waters. Type III, Flotation Aid Devices are quite literally designed only to be worn to help you to float during wet boating activities like water-skiing or kayaking. In those cases rescue is expected to be immediately available. In caseyou haven't heard yet, Type IV Throwable Devices are no longer allowed as a substitute for Lifejackets.[/size]
[size 2]When evaluating your PFD requirements, I recommend you first look at your boating habits. If you go offshore, buy Type I Off-Shore Devices to meet your "Minimum Equipment Requirements." They are the only lifejackets recommended for rough water, and are capable of turning an unconscious person face up. Always have enough PFDs on board to provide protection for the maximum number of persons allowed on the manufacturer's plate. Please don't store lifejackets under the V-Berth where they may not be accessible during an emergency. The best place for them is in the cockpit, under a seat cushion, where they can float free if the boat sinks. Also, carry a variety of sizes based on your family configuration, even if it means carrying a couple of extras. This is what I call the Emergency Set of PFDs.[/size]
[size 2]Now that you have covered your "Minimum Requirements" lets talk about your "Working Set" of PFDs. The number of boaters who die in boating accidents due to lack of a lifejacket is still four out of five. There is only one way to change this statistic, wear your PFD more often. Are you one of those who thinks PFDs are too bulky or ugly to be worn? Think again! Take a look at the lifejacket display at your favorite marine store or sporting goods store. Style and function are in. If you have to put on a jacket because of weather conditions put on a "Float Coat". If you are racing and need to move around the foredeck quickly, try some of the new Inflatable PFDs. If you are working, or fishing, buy some of the very functional Work or Fishing Vests produced by Stearns, Mustang or other safety conscious manufacturers. Have enough Throw Cushions (Type IV) to go around the sunbathing crowd. If you are into water-skiing, or just horsing around, carry a variety of sizes and styles of Type III Flotation Aids. A good rule of thumb is to have enough stylish, functional, Life Vests on board for maximum number of persons allowed. Get your children in the habit of wearing comfortable life vests all of the time, and encourage others to wear them when they are at risk. Should you encounter severe weather conditions, or are disabled and awaiting assistance, SEA TOW highly recommends you break out, and don, your emergency set of PFDs until conditions improve, or help arrives. A second set of PFDs is well worth the cost to protect your loved ones, and provides a valuable, extra level of security in case of an accident. Please make all of your boating adventures safe ones.[/size][/indent]
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![[Image: blue.gif]](http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/blue.gif)
[url "http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/pfd_label_explanations.htm#k"]This device is not to be fastened to the boat.[/url][/font] ![[Image: ml.gif]](http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/ml.gif)
![[Image: ul.gif]](http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/ul.gif)
[/url]LISTED[url "http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/pfd_label_explanations.htm#h"]![[Image: num.gif]](http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/num.gif)
[/url][/url]![[Image: pfd5small.jpg]](http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/pfd5small.jpg)
heated pool? “That’d be cheating,” reminded Ron, our photographer (easy for him to say). With a forced 
for the half dozen thoroughly perplexed bystanders, I take that long leap off the short pier wearing Mustang’s new auto-inflating personal flotation device (PFD). Splash! It’s beyond cold as I sink towards the bottom. The water's getting darker, heck, it’s even getting colder. [/font][/left] [left][font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]![[Image: pfd9small.jpg]](http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/pfd9small.jpg)
Should I start swimming? Instead I count: one, two, three, four, five - WHOOSH! The automatic inflator mechanism in my PFD punctures a CO2 cartridge causing the vest to fill with gas. Immediately, 35 pounds of lift thrust me to the surface like a breaching whale. As I’m forced into a face up position with my head high over the surface, we’re all impressed with the PFD’s performance. All of us that is, except for the 6-year-old girl who asked, “Mommy, what’s wrong with that man?”[/font][/left] ![[Image: pfd3small.jpg]](http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/pfd3small.jpg)
The fact is that there’s wide resistance to the wearing of PFDs. There are many reasons for this. Conventional PFDs are uncomfortable, they restrict movement, and they’re perceived as “uncool.” But that’s changing.[/font] ![[Image: pfd4small.jpg]](http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/pfd4small.jpg)
they all liked the fact that the vest allowed unrestricted access to their service pistols. They also mentioned that because of its low profile, the vest didn’t restrict motion, allowing them to perform tasks as if they weren’t wearing a PFD. [/font][/left] ![[Image: pfd1small.jpg]](http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/pfd1small.jpg)
Several evaluators noted that these vests had no pockets or other provisions for stowing emergency equipment such as strobes, pen flares, or whistles. Another evaluator expressed concern that in a confrontation an adversary could grab at the vest or it’s waist belt and use that to restrain an officer. While this argument has merit, conventional PFDs also have straps to grab. What conventional vests don’t have, however, is the manual inflator ripcord. We simulated a confrontation situation where the attacker pulled the officer’s manual inflator cord and then attempted to remove his weapon. We found that unlike the explosive inflation of a car’s airbag, the vest inflated in a rapid, but controlled manner and in no way prevented the officer from using weapon retention techniques. We felt that the tremendous increase in officer survivability provided by the PFD far outweighed these minor di
vantages.[/font] ![[Image: pfd12small.jpg]](http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/pfd12small.jpg)
Contained within a tough outer shell of 400 Denier nylon, the bladder folded into a very narrow profile, allowing easy access to uniform pockets and gun belt. The strap and waist belt are constructed of a stiff webbing material which make donning easier. The bladder has taped and welded seams and is high-visibility yellow with SOLAS* reflective tape. A safety whistle is attached to the vest. [/font] ![[Image: pfd13small.jpg]](http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/pfd13small.jpg)
Stearns Ultra Model 1339 is showing up on more patrol boats than any other auto inflator, at least in the Long Island area. Our reviewers thought that it was light, comfortable, and the straps didn't get in the way, however some evaluators thought that it wasn't quite as "military" looking as the Mustang MD 3001. [/font]