It disturbing how many don't always wear a PFD on the Salish Sea - a year-round water temp of 50degrees F isn't very forgiving and cold water shock happens fast.
My preferred go-to vest is a Type 3 designed for paddling and rowing—not too bulky or bothersome. We carry two Type 2 self-inflating PFD’s on our cruising boat but I have an unfounded (but real) distrust of them…fearing they might not inflate when desperately needed.
Weirdly, your title is about types of PFDs, but then your poll is about frequency of usage.
When sailing a dinghy where I might become immersed and need to right the dinghy, I wear a close-fitting type 3. On a big comfortable boat with a cockpit, I wear a compact Mustang inflatable with a hydrostatic actuator.
Every season, I unpack the pfd, manually inflate it, leave it under pressure for a day to check for slow leaks, check the expiration on the actuator (and replace if necessary) and then repack it.
Some folks never inspect or inflate their PFDs. I sailed with a guy who had the comic experience of falling in on the dock, having the PFD inflate, and then with it tightly inflated and locked around his neck by air pressure, not knowing how to deflate it. Of course, that's better than the alternative which would have been if it had developed a leak or seam failure over that time.
The best floatation device is the one that is you wear comfortably. I have several, including a float coat. My most recent purchase was at a three day show where I was a volunteer. I had to replace a PFD that got damaged in a car fire. The first day, I began with 6 different brands. The second, I was down to three. On the third day, I walked out with the one I was wearing without being conscious of it. I went back in and paid. Even though I also have an inflatable, the one I got from Paddlesport is still my "go to" PFD. It fits snugly and has a zipper and tie straps. I make sure that, even when it is unzipped, the gut strap is clipped together.
When my beloved and I teach small boat sailing, we make sure the students put on PFDs in the water, just so they understand why we insist that the jacket should be worn at all times when afloat in a small [especially] boat.
Made me look...only Type 1 will turn me over if I'm unconscious. Type 2 might, and might not. Type 3 assumes I'm still conscious once I hit the water. I mention this because of a recent drowning incident on Oneida Lake, where I had been sailing just days before. Also, I didn't see it mentioned that the shoulder straps are great grabholds for rescuers. And in the worst case, attachment points for a hoisting line. Finally, lash points are real useful for securing a whistle, strobe, and a PLB where you can get at them.
Kind depends on what kind of boating. Two broad categories: ones where you need to be able to swim and do stuff, and ones where you need to have someone pick you up.
Great article...and I'm in the market for a new vest with more pockets. I recently discovered, in very calm water, that my Type 3 vest was not adjusted very well and kept riding up. And a vest with a crotch strap is worth trying out.
Recently had a case here on the NJ shore where a sailboat ran aground at Sandy Hook, the boat capsized and the father and son ended up in the water. The fathers inflatable life jacket failed to inflate and the son was able to hold on to his father until help came. The article did not say if he tried to inflate the vest by mouth. Whether it was a malfunction or not maintained they can fail. I've owned them and used them on my sail boat but would not use them in a kayak or canoe. Pat Filardi
It's obvious one size does not fit all. Younger, while racing Lasers, and Coronado 15s where you could expect to be to be in the water on a windy day. I would wear a type three, slim for good floatation, easy swimming and easy re-entry into the boat, added a short wetsuit top for warm day on cold water and long John bottoms for cold day on cold water. I used the same type three when started racing big boats. Working the foredeck, I liked the flotation of a type 2, but didn't like the chance of early inflation and challenge of deflating during a rescue. I've had a type 2 with a harness while sailing pocket yachts. Recently wished I had pockets for radio and snacks
So go with what you're willing to wear. You never know when it's going to happen.
I wear a Type 3 in rough weather or if I have to go on deck while under way. I have my passengers wear one most of the time...and kids all the time. Having a comfortable life vest makes me more likely to keep it on, for warmth and for cushioning my back, as well as safety.
It disturbing how many don't always wear a PFD on the Salish Sea - a year-round water temp of 50degrees F isn't very forgiving and cold water shock happens fast.
My preferred go-to vest is a Type 3 designed for paddling and rowing—not too bulky or bothersome. We carry two Type 2 self-inflating PFD’s on our cruising boat but I have an unfounded (but real) distrust of them…fearing they might not inflate when desperately needed.
Weirdly, your title is about types of PFDs, but then your poll is about frequency of usage.
When sailing a dinghy where I might become immersed and need to right the dinghy, I wear a close-fitting type 3. On a big comfortable boat with a cockpit, I wear a compact Mustang inflatable with a hydrostatic actuator.
Every season, I unpack the pfd, manually inflate it, leave it under pressure for a day to check for slow leaks, check the expiration on the actuator (and replace if necessary) and then repack it.
Some folks never inspect or inflate their PFDs. I sailed with a guy who had the comic experience of falling in on the dock, having the PFD inflate, and then with it tightly inflated and locked around his neck by air pressure, not knowing how to deflate it. Of course, that's better than the alternative which would have been if it had developed a leak or seam failure over that time.
The lesson of course is to check your gear.
The best floatation device is the one that is you wear comfortably. I have several, including a float coat. My most recent purchase was at a three day show where I was a volunteer. I had to replace a PFD that got damaged in a car fire. The first day, I began with 6 different brands. The second, I was down to three. On the third day, I walked out with the one I was wearing without being conscious of it. I went back in and paid. Even though I also have an inflatable, the one I got from Paddlesport is still my "go to" PFD. It fits snugly and has a zipper and tie straps. I make sure that, even when it is unzipped, the gut strap is clipped together.
When my beloved and I teach small boat sailing, we make sure the students put on PFDs in the water, just so they understand why we insist that the jacket should be worn at all times when afloat in a small [especially] boat.
Made me look...only Type 1 will turn me over if I'm unconscious. Type 2 might, and might not. Type 3 assumes I'm still conscious once I hit the water. I mention this because of a recent drowning incident on Oneida Lake, where I had been sailing just days before. Also, I didn't see it mentioned that the shoulder straps are great grabholds for rescuers. And in the worst case, attachment points for a hoisting line. Finally, lash points are real useful for securing a whistle, strobe, and a PLB where you can get at them.
Type 3. I like having a folding knife, light and whistle with me.
Karl
A life preserver sitting in the boat isn’t going to save your life. As we have read in article after article a boat can sink in just a few minutes.
Kind depends on what kind of boating. Two broad categories: ones where you need to be able to swim and do stuff, and ones where you need to have someone pick you up.
I favour a body warmer type PFD from Baltic. not too bulky and allows movement and swimming if needs be!
Thy float I DON'T
Great article...and I'm in the market for a new vest with more pockets. I recently discovered, in very calm water, that my Type 3 vest was not adjusted very well and kept riding up. And a vest with a crotch strap is worth trying out.
Recently had a case here on the NJ shore where a sailboat ran aground at Sandy Hook, the boat capsized and the father and son ended up in the water. The fathers inflatable life jacket failed to inflate and the son was able to hold on to his father until help came. The article did not say if he tried to inflate the vest by mouth. Whether it was a malfunction or not maintained they can fail. I've owned them and used them on my sail boat but would not use them in a kayak or canoe. Pat Filardi
It looks like you need another poll for preferred PFD type. Mine is Type 3. The downside is adding to the discomfort in hot weather.
Good advisory! Reminds me of wanting to compare the floatation between kayak vests and racing vests.
It's obvious onesize doesn’t I
Let's try again.
It's obvious one size does not fit all. Younger, while racing Lasers, and Coronado 15s where you could expect to be to be in the water on a windy day. I would wear a type three, slim for good floatation, easy swimming and easy re-entry into the boat, added a short wetsuit top for warm day on cold water and long John bottoms for cold day on cold water. I used the same type three when started racing big boats. Working the foredeck, I liked the flotation of a type 2, but didn't like the chance of early inflation and challenge of deflating during a rescue. I've had a type 2 with a harness while sailing pocket yachts. Recently wished I had pockets for radio and snacks
So go with what you're willing to wear. You never know when it's going to happen.
I wear a Type 3 in rough weather or if I have to go on deck while under way. I have my passengers wear one most of the time...and kids all the time. Having a comfortable life vest makes me more likely to keep it on, for warmth and for cushioning my back, as well as safety.