Please wear your life vests!

[neckdweller]

Here's an article from my seacoast NH paper last week. I've clipped some of the more pertinent info below.

A local man died Sunday after his kayak capsized in upper Frenchman Bay in Lamoine, Maine.

Officials say 43-year-old Steven Brooks of Squamscott Road was pronounced dead by paramedics at the Lamoine State Park docks, shortly after being pulled from the water.

MacDonald said both were inexperienced kayakers and described the water as rough that day with 2- to 3-foot chops.

At one point, the officer said, the female kayaker paddled ahead of Brooks and looked back and saw his kayak had flipped over.

"He was hanging onto the kayak with his right hand and had his glasses and paddle in his left hand," MacDonald said.

MacDonald said Brooks wasn't very responsive when the other kayaker got to him and had labored breathing. He then slipped under water.

The other kayaker was able to bring him back up but then he slipped under again, according to MacDonald. The other kayaker was once again able to bring him back up.

CPR was immediately rendered to Brooks on the sailboat, but he was pronounced dead when the boat returned to the docks, which was about three-quarters of a mile away, according to MacDonald.

MacDonald said Brooks had a life jacket on the kayak but he wasn't wearing it. He estimated that Brooks was in the water for 15 minutes.

The state medical examiner's office will perform an autopsy on Brooks to determined if he died as a result of drowning or a medical issue.

The cause of death was ultimately identified as cardiac arrest but it's tough to tell if that was brought about by struggling to stay afloat/right the kayak - something that would have been made a lot easier had he been wearing a PFD.

[NH_boater]

This is exactly why I have ceased with the PFD under elastic cords on the kayak bow to an inflatable right where it belongs. I kayak alone.

I read some statics that state (1) 9 out of 10 drownings occur with the victim is not wearing a PFD per CDC, and (2) drowning is the second leading cause of death for kids under 14 in NH, per NHwatersafety, and the one that really grabbed my attention, (3) 90% of drownings die within 30 feet of safety, per NHwatersafety.

I used to feel that no matter what, I can always swim a bit to get to help or safety. I no longer think this way. Despite what you see on TV, the victim almost never cries for help or waves their arms in distress. Help could be a few feet away and not know you are drowning.

http://www.nhwatersafety.com/drowningprevention.htm

Safe boating!

[SAMIAM]

Sometimes, while kayaking, I wear my Sterns belt pack manual inflatable. It is a type 111 with a 24 gram CO2 that provides over 30# of flotation...the same as any other vest.
Kind of funny....I do get a few looks because it is not visible from water level.
Oh...just a little hint if you like inflatables. Jump in and pull the pin to test it and then repack it yourself.....kinda like packing your own parachute. Easy to do and if needed, you know it's going to work.

[fatlazyless]

Parafunalia in Gilford used to sell the swimmers belts, s-m-l-xl, in one buckle & two buckle models, in bright almost flourescent yellow for about twenty five dollars. Parafunalia no longer had any in stock a couple days ago but I was informed they have a shipment of swimmer's belts on order, and it is due to arrive soon.

The swimmers belts is perfect for paddling a kayak, as opposed to wearing a pfd which can get too warm to wear for the summer, plus the swimmer's belt is perfect for swimming, while the pfd is designed more to keep an unconscious person's head above the water, and not really designed for swimming.

Don't like that bright yellow color of the swimmer's belt? Krylon Fusion spray paint in flat gray, or flat camoflage khaki, or any number of other colors will stick very good permanently to the flexible vinyl and turn a bright yellow into a color that is low key. Maybe, match your kayak and swimmer's belt into a fashion statement by matching their colors when you spray paint the swimmer's belt with Krylon Fusion. Other spray paints simply do not stick to flexible vinyl as well as Krylon Fusion! About $4.50/spray can.

The two buckle swimmer's belt has more flotation than the one buckle models, and either one can be removed and reconnected while in the water that is over than one's height with much greater ease than a pfd.

[ApS]

1) The U. S. Coast Guard just called off a search near Wood Island, ME. The search began with the discovery of an orange "kayak-type" boat, which shortly followed the discovery of an inflated PFD!
http://bangordailynews.com/2011/07/1...st-called-off/

A suggestion—> also place your contact information on every PFD—including inflatables.

2) For the the U. S. Coast Guard, the expense of ships and aircraft in a search is totally borne by the Federal Government: to cover that expense, the Federal Government just prints more money.

3) Regarding any efficacy of "lost-kayak-searches" on Lake Winnipesaukee, I doubt the NHMP does any timely searches of this type.

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Sometimes, while kayaking, I wear my Sterns belt pack manual inflatable. It is a type 111 with a 24 gram CO2 that provides over 30# of flotation...the same as any other vest.
Kind of funny....I do get a few looks because it is not visible from water level.

Maybe that's what others aren't seeing!

Lastly:

For those unfamiliar with "Solas" reflecting panels, here's a photo of one of eight "Solas patches" on my PFD.

(My PFD, which is definitely worn ).

[ApS]

This past Wednesday, in an attempt to demonstrate the relative sizes of human beings and navigation markers, I asked these four paddle-boarders to group themselves around two nearby markers. They did so and graciously.

That's "Flasher-19"—and its companion buoy—with Rattlesnake Island in the background.

No board is in yellow or red coloring, but they are clearly visible—which should end the "red-flag-requirement"—borrowed from New Jersey lawmakers.

However, brand-new questions are begged:

1) Shouldn't paddle-boarders be carrying PFDs "aboard"?

2) Should paddle-boarders be wearing PFDs, too?

3) To be visible, should kayakers always be standing?

(No, forget #3).

[SAMIAM]

Sorry to hear about that,......I know that area pretty well and it can be treacherous. Whatever kind of PFD you choose won't do you much good if you don't wear it.

[skprbob]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Parafunalia in Gilford used to sell the swimmers belts, s-m-l-xl, in one buckle & two buckle models, in bright almost flourescent yellow for about twenty five dollars. Parafunalia no longer had any in stock a couple days ago but I was informed they have a shipment of swimmer's belts on order, and it is due to arrive soon.

The swimmers belts is perfect for paddling a kayak, as opposed to wearing a pfd which can get too warm to wear for the summer, plus the swimmer's belt is perfect for swimming, while the pfd is designed more to keep an unconscious person's head above the water, and not really designed for swimming.

Don't like that bright yellow color of the swimmer's belt? Krylon Fusion spray paint in flat gray, or flat camoflage khaki, or any number of other colors will stick very good permanently to the flexible vinyl and turn a bright yellow into a color that is low key. Maybe, match your kayak and swimmer's belt into a fashion statement by matching their colors when you spray paint the swimmer's belt with Krylon Fusion. Other spray paints simply do not stick to flexible vinyl as well as Krylon Fusion! About $4.50/spray can.

The two buckle swimmer's belt has more flotation than the one buckle models, and either one can be removed and reconnected while in the water that is over than one's height with much greater ease than a pfd.

Let me repeat an item from another thread - swimmers' belts do not satisfy the NH PFD laws. They are not USCG approved. They are fine as a supplementary device as described, but cannot be used alone. You still must have the appropriate USCG approved PFD aboard.

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by skprbob

Let me repeat an item from another thread - swimmers' belts do not satisfy the NH PFD laws. They are not USCG approved. They are fine as a supplementary device as described, but cannot be used alone. You still must have the appropriate USCG approved PFD aboard.

It's better to be wearing a swimmer's belt, which is perfectly capable of giving pretty good support in 3-foot waves, than to not wear anything because a standard pfd was too hot or inhibited paddling. A swimmer's belt obviously does not inhibit paddling like a pfd.

Correct me if I am wrong but anyone who is 16 or older is not legally required in New Hampshire to have a pfd on board a kayak without a motor which is what the vast majority of kayaks are; motorless and propelled by a kayak paddle. Legally, anyone 16 and up may have nothing, or a pfd, or a swimmers belts or both a pfd and a swimmers belt and their favorite rubber duckie just for good company! It is nutty to be out on the water without either a pfd or a swimmer's belt, but that's the law, as I understand it.

[skprbob]

This was discussed in the thread entitled "kayak incident in yesterday's storm". FLL is incorrect. See my post in that thread.

[fatlazyless]

Ok....looks like you are correct....much to my surprise....that non-motorized kayaks, canoes, rowboats and sailboats are required by NH statute to have one pfd on-board for each person, and persons 12 and under are required to wear them. Could not determine if a throwable flotation device is also required on-board non-motorized boats as well.

Still, there's a lot to be said for wearing a swimmers belt as opposed to not wearing a pfd when paddling a kayak or canoe.

Last August, I got stopped by an MP in a big defender mp boat at about 8:15-pm out by Buoy 3 for rowing my 17' row-canoe without any nav lights, and he just let me off with a warning after taking my name, so he let me off the hook with no fine to pay. At the time I was wearing a swimmer's belt, and I suspect that had I been not wearing that and not having a pfd on-board either, then he probably would have cited me for no lights-no pfd for a double fine, but instead I got to row off with just a warning.

A very wise and knowledgeable MP officer that there MP officer was there, that there night, you betcha, don't you know!

[jrc]

Well FLL, is this an example of the need for boater education for non-power boaters, or is this an example of boater education not working?

[fatlazyless]

I scored a 96 on the 50-question test at the end of the boater course given by MP Officer Dave Learned in Ashland back in 2000, so I just forgot what's what with the pfd law in a row-canoe or a kayak.

Pfd's will ride way up on a person, up around their head, because a pfd is not tight around the arms, while a swimmer's belt is much better for swimming around in the water.

What to do? Keep a pfd in the kayak to comply with the law, but wear a swimmer's belt to be safe and not obstruct arm movement when paddling or rowing.

Is a throwable floatation device like the square cushion with the two long handles required on board a kayak or canoe or sailboat as well as a pfd?

Swimmer's belts are good for swimming! Pfd's are almost good for nothing because they make the wearer very awkward once in the water! If everyone on board the H.M.S. Titantic, back in 1912, had been wearing a swimmer's belt as opposed to a pfd, they could have easily swarm all the way to Saint John, New Brunswick, and nobody would have drowned! 1500 people drowned thanks to those awkward pfd's, and today's modern style pfd's are still very awkward in the water today!

[rick35]

Channel 9 carried a story tonight about a capsized kayaker on the Connecticut who was saved by the Walpole chief of police. The kayaker was not wearing his pfd and the first thing the chief did was to retrieve the pfd for the guy and then pulled him to shore. Not wearing a pfd is not a smart thing to do when out by yourself. We've seen several kayakers go by in the last couple of days and none of them were wearing their pfds. We always wear our pfds when kayaking so I'd have to say its not a smart thing to do at any time.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

I scored a 96 on the 50-question test at the end of the boater course given by MP Officer Dave Learned in Ashland back in 2000, so I just forgot what's what with the pfd law in a row-canoe or a kayak.

Pfd's will ride way up on a person, up around their head, because a pfd is not tight around the arms, while a swimmer's belt is much better for swimming around in the water.

What to do? Keep a pfd in the kayak to comply with the law, but wear a swimmer's belt to be safe and not obstruct arm movement when paddling or rowing.

Is a throwable floatation device like the square cushion with the two long handles required on board a kayak or canoe or sailboat as well as a pfd?

Swimmer's belts are good for swimming! Pfd's are almost good for nothing because they make the wearer very awkward once in the water! If everyone on board the H.M.S. Titantic, back in 1912, had been wearing a swimmer's belt as opposed to a pfd, they could have easily swarm all the way to Saint John, New Brunswick, and nobody would have drowned! 1500 people drowned thanks to those awkward pfd's, and today's modern style pfd's are still very awkward in the water today!

You have GOT to be kidding. I don't even know where to start on this one.

It is a fact that PFDs are safer than swimmers belts, period. They do NOT obstruct arm movement when paddling. I know this because I was wearing my PFD just yesterday when out in my canoe. And yes they can be awkward to swim in, but that is not what they are designed for. They are designed to keep your head out of the water.

And as far as the Titanic goes, I think that PFD technology might have changed a bit in the last 100 years. I am thinking that the PFD I wore yesterday might be a bit safer than the "PFDs" that the people on the Titanic wore. Oh, and if they autopsied 1500 people when the Titanic sank, I would be willing to bet that most of the people died of hypothermia, not from drowning.
Of course we all know that a PFD will not prevent hypothemia, but it will keep you afloat.

[fatlazyless]

And, it's also well known that wearing a swimmer's belt when out paddling a kayak, is better than removing the pfd and placing it within the kayak because it was uncomfortable or too warm to wear while paddling.

When someone gets tossed into the water while wearing a pfd, it will ride up around one's head, and it is not designed for swimming, while the buoyancy of a swimmers belts is centered so it encourages swimming, plus it can easily be moved from one's waist to armpits to adjust the buoyancy. Try doing that with a pfd?

With a swimmer's belt, a 'poor swimmer adult' can jump into the water and swim for 100-yards along the shore in water that's six to ten feet deep, or shallower, or whatever, and feel pretty secure about that. With a pfd, you just go nowhere and no one seems to don a pfd and jump into the water. A pfd is probably considered to be a flotation device and not a swimming tool.

www.parafunalia.com in Gilford, $24.95, s-m-l-xl, one buckle or two buckle and if you do not like the bright yellow color, then a spray can of Krylon Fusion in flat grey or camo khaki will easily change the color permanently. Suggest you get the one buckle model in the largest size!

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

And, it's also well known that wearing a swimmer's belt when out paddling a kayak, is better than removing the pfd and placing it within the kayak because it was uncomfortable or too warm to wear while paddling.

When someone gets tossed into the water while wearing a pfd, it will ride up around one's head, and it is not designed for swimming, while the buoyancy of a swimmers belts is centered so it encourages swimming, plus it can easily be moved from one's waist to armpits to adjust the buoyancy. Try doing that with a pfd?

With a swimmer's belt, a 'poor swimmer adult' can jump into the water and swim for 100-yards along the shore in water that's six to ten feet deep, or shallower, or whatever, and feel pretty secure about that. With a pfd, you just go nowhere and no one seems to don a pfd and jump into the water. A pfd is probably considered to be a flotation device and not a swimming tool.

www.parafunalia.com in Gilford, $24.95, s-m-l-xl, one buckle or two buckle and if you do not like the bright yellow color, then a spray can of Krylon Fusion in flat grey or camo khaki will easily change the color permanently. Suggest you get the one buckle model in the largest size!

Regarding the bold:
That is exactly what I am saying. The PFD is designed to keep one afloat. Period. When a kayaker hits the water, it is probably unintentional. A swimmers belt is not the right thing for a kayaker to be wearing. Period.

BTW, many stores are having end-of-season sales right now, and inexpensive PFDs can be bought for under $30.

[rick35]

When we bought our kayaks we shopped around until we found the pfds that fit best. Can't remember the name but the one's we went with (from EMS) have two buckles inside the zipper. So when its hot you can just use the two buckles and leave the zipper undone. Added about $40 to the cost of each pfd over the low end model but it was worth the money. Not wearing a pfd because it is hot is not an option for us.