Earl Colby Pottinger wrote in message ...

The problem is there are just too many accidents/drownings where the life
jackets are missing.

snip

Woman diver in training killed by boat not avoiding area defined by a diver's
flag.

The way to avoid an oncoming boat is to duck under it, not float
around on surface like a bobber. So, wear a PFD in this scenario is a
death sentence.

Also, aren't a good percentage of "drownings" the result of
hypothermia? I say the heck with "half-measures", like PFDs. I think a
+-$2000 custom fitted drysuit should be required to be worn, at all
times, by all persons boating in waters cooler than 65F.

You see, I'm just trying to "save" people, and that makes me "feel" oh
so good about myself.

Of course, since I'm in Fla this prudent "safety" requirement would
not pertain to me.
--
SJM

You have a good point. Florida leads the country in boating fatalities (over
the last 5 years), but is lagging behind in drownings. However, you make up the
difference by having the largest number of non-drowning boating fatalities,
caused by leading the way (by a huge margin) in collisions with fixed objects.

Clearly, while Florida may deserve an exemption for PFD's, they should be
required to build all bridges out of foam rubber.

http://www.uscgboating.org/statistic...stics_2002.pdf

"Scott McFadden" wrote in message
om...
....
Also, aren't a good percentage of "drownings" the result of
hypothermia? I say the heck with "half-measures", like PFDs. I think a
+-$2000 custom fitted drysuit should be required to be worn, at all
times, by all persons boating in waters cooler than 65F.

You see, I'm just trying to "save" people, and that makes me "feel" oh
so good about myself.

Of course, since I'm in Fla this prudent "safety" requirement would
not pertain to me.
--
SJM

"Jeff Morris" wrote in message ...

You have a good point. Florida leads the country in boating fatalities (over
the last 5 years), but is lagging behind in drownings. However, you make up
the difference by having the largest number of non-drowning boating fatalities,
caused by leading the way (by a huge margin) in collisions with fixed objects.

Clearly, while Florida may deserve an exemption for PFD's, they should be
required to build all bridges out of foam rubber.

I believe a realistic first step would be to prohibit the consumption
of alcoholic beverages by the operator of a power boat. (It is legal
to do so in Fla)

Do that, see if it doesn't effect the accident stats, and get back to
me on this mandatory PFD wearing crap. (+-5yrs)

I was both a Red Cross and Ocean Rescue lifeguard and I didn't need no
freaking PFD for either of them.

So, it is real simple, people going out in boats should know how to
swim. Contact your local YMCA or Red Cross for lessons. There really
is no excuse for failing to do so as even little, teeny, tiny children
are taught.

Perhaps we should make that bit of common sense "mandatory".
--
SJM

Since tha article that started this posting was a call for papers from
interested parties, I guess I should write one and send it along.

According to Coasty friends: the vast majority of bodies recovered are
men and the fly is open (the presumption is that they were in the
process of whizzing over the side {legal most places} and got toppled
into the water).

It would seem this could be eliminated as a cause of drownding by either
requiring that all boats have a enclosed head (with holding tank - of
course) or requiring that clothing wore on board not have a fly.

Matt Colie



Scott McFadden wrote:
"Jeff Morris" wrote in message ...


You have a good point. Florida leads the country in boating fatalities (over
the last 5 years), but is lagging behind in drownings. However, you make up
the difference by having the largest number of non-drowning boating fatalities,
caused by leading the way (by a huge margin) in collisions with fixed objects.

Clearly, while Florida may deserve an exemption for PFD's, they should be
required to build all bridges out of foam rubber.


I believe a realistic first step would be to prohibit the consumption
of alcoholic beverages by the operator of a power boat. (It is legal
to do so in Fla)

Do that, see if it doesn't effect the accident stats, and get back to
me on this mandatory PFD wearing crap. (+-5yrs)

I was both a Red Cross and Ocean Rescue lifeguard and I didn't need no
freaking PFD for either of them.

So, it is real simple, people going out in boats should know how to
swim. Contact your local YMCA or Red Cross for lessons. There really
is no excuse for failing to do so as even little, teeny, tiny children
are taught.

Perhaps we should make that bit of common sense "mandatory".
--
SJM

That would make as much sense as what they're talking about...
What ****es me of is they are wasting our tax dollars holding hearings
on such stupidity.
If that became law I could legally take off my pfd, jump off the boat
for a swim, ( or would I have to be in the water when I removed it?)
then by law I would have to put my pfd back on when I got back in the
boat....stupid, stupid.

John C.


It would seem this could be eliminated as a cause of drownding by either
requiring that all boats have a enclosed head (with holding tank - of
course) or requiring that clothing wore on board not have a fly.

Matt Colie

On 12 Aug 2004 06:14:32 -0700,
Scott McFadden wrote:
"Jeff Morris" wrote in message ...

You have a good point. Florida leads the country in boating fatalities (over
the last 5 years), but is lagging behind in drownings. However, you make up
the difference by having the largest number of non-drowning boating fatalities,
caused by leading the way (by a huge margin) in collisions with fixed objects.

Clearly, while Florida may deserve an exemption for PFD's, they should be
required to build all bridges out of foam rubber.

I believe a realistic first step would be to prohibit the consumption
of alcoholic beverages by the operator of a power boat. (It is legal
to do so in Fla)


Just ban alchohol entirely, it worked so well last time
--
Jim Richardson http://www.eskimo.com/~warlock
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems,
but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

personally, don't need any more government intervention in my life

** I think we may need a 'sober' second opinion on that !

"Florida Keyz" wrote in message
...
personally, don't need any more government intervention in my life

"Scott McFadden" wrote in message
snip

Also, aren't a good percentage of "drownings" the result of
hypothermia? I say the heck with "half-measures", like PFDs. I think a
+-$2000 custom fitted drysuit should be required to be worn, at all
times, by all persons boating in waters cooler than 65F.

You see, I'm just trying to "save" people, and that makes me "feel" oh
so good about myself.

Of course, since I'm in Fla this prudent "safety" requirement would
not pertain to me.
--
SJM

Not as crazy as you think. lots of people up here would like to see the
fishermen wear something like that ...especially during the winter season.
Water gets damn cold. Why just last week the lifeguards posted the water
temperature at 8 C at a very popular local surfing beach.

"Don White" wrote in message ...

Not as crazy as you think. lots of people up here would like to see the
fishermen wear something like that ...especially during the winter season.
Water gets damn cold. Why just last week the lifeguards posted the water
temperature at 8 C at a very popular local surfing beach.

While my big $$, drysuit, "safety requirement" was intended to be
hyperbole, I have both a 3mil full, and a 2mil shorty wetsuit
(primarily for scuba). I would not hesitate to bring one, the other,
or both along if boating in the cold. Also, wetsuits will keep you on
the surface due to the buoyancy of the material and fulfill the
"function" of a PFD as well.

I think I paid $150 for the 3mil and +- $100 for the 2. Just look for
scuba/surf shop sales or google up some online dealers/factor directs
if you're interested.
--
SJM