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