Page 12 - How to Go Boating Flip 1
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sonal Flotation Devices Foam or CO2?
The next point to make is that all levels of support are called a PFD. Over recent years there has been an explosion in the number and
If it floats and you wear it, it’s a personal flotation device. There are types of inflatable jackets available in this country. Two things have
basically two types of PFD: lifejackets, which are designed to support driven this: price (jackets are now often found well under $100 each),
the wearer in a face-up position and even turn them face-up, and the and comfort (an inflatable is easily worn all day while a foam jacket is
second, the vest. It will support the wearer but won’t keep the wearer comparatively bulky and hot to wear).
face-up. The second type of PFD, usually called a buoyancy vest, is
worn for water sports where the risk is much lower — for kayaking, for However there is much more to the decision.
example. This style has no collar and a less-restrictive fit. Don’t use
them as your primary lifejacket aboard a boat. Rule one: Young children get a properly fitting foam jacket every time.
In an emergency the last thing you want to worry about is whether
This next section is very simple so that when it comes time to your child’s jacket is inflated, even if it is an auto-inflating model.
select your lifejackets you can start as close to the finish line as (Please also see the section on crotch straps on page 83.)
possible!
Lifejacket Standards Rule two: (this is a personal one) I don’t wear manual inflating
lifejackets when making bar crossings. My reasoning is based on
A comparison table between New Zealand and common many years’ fishing from Raglan, which was my home port. I have
international standards: reviewed reports or spoken to a number of people who survived
bar incidents and one thing is clear: many received head knocks
NZ Aus Old Aus New Euro USA when capsized. In most cases, but not all, they were thrown clear
of the boat. Personally, I don’t want to rely on a mechanical device
401 Type 1 Level 150 EN 396 ANSI Type 1 to automatically inflate my jacket when I may have been knocked
unconscious, while the combination of being unconscious, even just
402 Type 2 Level 100 EN 395 ANSI Type 2 stunned, while wearing a manual inflation jacket doesn’t bear thinking
about. That’s why I own both foam and inflatable jackets. I always
403 Type 3 Level 50 EN 393 ANSI Type 3 wear a foam jacket crossing a bar.
Other than for those specific circumstances there is every reason to
recommend the purchase and wearing of inflatable life jackets.
Remember that all lifejackets need regular checking, and they
require servicing if any buckles or belts are damaged. This is even
more important when it comes to inflatables. The inflation mechanism
and CO2 tube need to be inspected and lubricated regularly. It can’t
save you if it doesn’t work.
80 How to Go Boating and Where
The next point to make is that all levels of support are called a PFD. Over recent years there has been an explosion in the number and
If it floats and you wear it, it’s a personal flotation device. There are types of inflatable jackets available in this country. Two things have
basically two types of PFD: lifejackets, which are designed to support driven this: price (jackets are now often found well under $100 each),
the wearer in a face-up position and even turn them face-up, and the and comfort (an inflatable is easily worn all day while a foam jacket is
second, the vest. It will support the wearer but won’t keep the wearer comparatively bulky and hot to wear).
face-up. The second type of PFD, usually called a buoyancy vest, is
worn for water sports where the risk is much lower — for kayaking, for However there is much more to the decision.
example. This style has no collar and a less-restrictive fit. Don’t use
them as your primary lifejacket aboard a boat. Rule one: Young children get a properly fitting foam jacket every time.
In an emergency the last thing you want to worry about is whether
This next section is very simple so that when it comes time to your child’s jacket is inflated, even if it is an auto-inflating model.
select your lifejackets you can start as close to the finish line as (Please also see the section on crotch straps on page 83.)
possible!
Lifejacket Standards Rule two: (this is a personal one) I don’t wear manual inflating
lifejackets when making bar crossings. My reasoning is based on
A comparison table between New Zealand and common many years’ fishing from Raglan, which was my home port. I have
international standards: reviewed reports or spoken to a number of people who survived
bar incidents and one thing is clear: many received head knocks
NZ Aus Old Aus New Euro USA when capsized. In most cases, but not all, they were thrown clear
of the boat. Personally, I don’t want to rely on a mechanical device
401 Type 1 Level 150 EN 396 ANSI Type 1 to automatically inflate my jacket when I may have been knocked
unconscious, while the combination of being unconscious, even just
402 Type 2 Level 100 EN 395 ANSI Type 2 stunned, while wearing a manual inflation jacket doesn’t bear thinking
about. That’s why I own both foam and inflatable jackets. I always
403 Type 3 Level 50 EN 393 ANSI Type 3 wear a foam jacket crossing a bar.
Other than for those specific circumstances there is every reason to
recommend the purchase and wearing of inflatable life jackets.
Remember that all lifejackets need regular checking, and they
require servicing if any buckles or belts are damaged. This is even
more important when it comes to inflatables. The inflation mechanism
and CO2 tube need to be inspected and lubricated regularly. It can’t
save you if it doesn’t work.
80 How to Go Boating and Where
