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Let’s talk about the second most important safety item
you should have on when you go boating. That’s your
life jacket, or Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
The inspiration for this piece was our starting to accept
photo submissions from you. We got some really good ones;
some with boaters in NRS gear…but they weren’t
wearing PFDs! Our decision is that we won’t use any
photos of adults on the water or kids on the water or playing
near the water who aren’t wearing life jackets.
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That’s
not because we sell PFDs, it’s because we firmly believe in
the life saving ability of PFDs. There’s a reason they’re
called Life Jackets.
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The
2004 U.S. Coast Guard accident statistics bear that
out. They cataloged 484 drownings; 431 of them (89%)
were not wearing life jackets. Numerous studies show
that up to 90% of drowning victims could have been
saved had they been wearing a life jacket.
The Oregon State Marine Board has gathered statistics
for that state that are more clearly broken down by
type of craft involved. From 1997 to 2005 they tabulated
71 fatalities of boaters in non-motorized craft -
kayaks, rafts, canoes, etc. 76% of them were either
not wearing a PFD or didn’t have it properly
fastened.
Those
are the statistics. The cold-hard fact is that most
of these people didn’t have to die. A life jacket
would have saved their lives and saved their family
and friends the grief of their loss.
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What’s the best type of life jacket to have? It’s
the one you have on. PFDs are available in such a wide array
of types, models and sizes that there’s a comfortable
fit for everyone. Most boaters use Coast Guard Approved Type
III, III/V and V models that have a minimum 15.5 pounds of
buoyancy. Most adults only need an extra seven to 12 pounds
of buoyancy to keep their heads above water. So choose a model
that’s comfortable and you’ll be able to wear
it all the time you’re on the water.
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And
don’t forget your children. They’re depending
on you for their safety. A couple of our Associates
were recently at a local lake and shuddered to see little
toddlers without life jackets walking around on the
docks while their parents fished in the icy water. Kid’s
young growing bodies require extra care in fitting them.
To work right, a PFD must fit snugly on a child. After
adjusting, check for a good fit by picking the child
up by the shoulders of the jacket. If the fit is right,
the child’s chin and ears won’t slip through.
See the Kids
PFD Reference Guide for some extra help in finding
the best jacket for your youngster.
Oh,
are you wondering what the MOST important safety item
you should have on when you go boating? It’s your
brain…switched on, thinking about your safety
and the safety of those you boat with. If it’s
working properly, you’ll be wearing your PFD…your
Life Jacket.
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Editor's Note:
While
working for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service I helped
recover four drowning victims. A dear friend of mine and
his son drowned while canoeing. They weren’t wearing
their life jackets.
Handling
those lifeless bodies and mourning the loss of my friends
has left a powerful impression on me and made me a passionate
believer in wearing PFDs.
I often
walk at lunch, looking out over the rolling Palouse hills.
After writing this piece, one day on my walk I thought once
again of Dr. Hobart Landreth and his young son, Patrick. It’s
been over 30 years since they died; I was totally surprised
by the powerful emotions that hit me. Once again I felt the
grief and tears…for my friends, for my loss, for all
the times we didn’t get to spend together.
Please
wear your life jacket. If you can’t do it for yourself,
do it for those you’d leave behind.
Boat Safe,
Clyde
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