PFD Safety: Age vs. Law

[fatlazyless]

In NH the operator of a jet ski is required to wear a pfd while a paddler on a stand-up paddle board is required to have a pfd on board without wearing it.

Is easy enough to lose balance and slip off a stand-up paddle board and get smacked on the board or on a rock in shallow water or on a dock or something.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

In NH the operator of a jet ski is required to wear a pfd while a paddler on a stand-up paddle board is required to have a pfd on board without wearing it.

Is easy enough to lose balance and slip off a stand-up paddle board and get smacked on the board or on a rock in shallow water or on a dock or something.

Agreed on the paddle boards, ridiculous that some don't wear them. We have one and all wear a PFD while on it. Like small sailboats, you have no time to put on a PFD before it's too late

[Descant]

When my friend turned 70, his kids gave him a type V PFD and asked him to wear it whenever he went out alone. (27' Eastern.) Following that example, I bought a similar type V and wear it in the smaller boats (19' and 24' and on larger boats if I'm handling lines etc. on the bow or side decks) All adults in the small boats wear a PFD of some sort (waist, self inflating, etc), if only to set an example for the grand children and guests where we may not be aware of swimming ability. If you hang around the Glendale docks, you will see many wearing Type V's including MP who are alone in the patrol boats.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by Descant

When my friend turned 70, his kids gave him a type V PFD and asked him to wear it whenever he went out alone. (27' Eastern.) Following that example, I bought a similar type V and wear it in the smaller boats (19' and 24' and on larger boats if I'm handling lines etc. on the bow or side decks) All adults in the small boats wear a PFD of some sort (waist, self inflating, etc), if only to set an example for the grand children and guests where we may not be aware of swimming ability. If you hang around the Glendale docks, you will see many wearing Type V's including MP who are alone in the patrol boats.

I would not trust a waist belt, but I've been thinking of self-inflating. Have any of you had one inflate? How did it go?

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I would not trust a waist belt, but I've been thinking of self-inflating. Have any of you had one inflate? How did it go?

I have several for non swimmers (and me when alone late fall or early spring). Mine have the option of self inflating or lanyard. I will buy some new cartridges and test them this summer. I have never had one accidentally inflate