Life Jacket Laws

[dissel]

Lets say you have the vest type. You take it off when you get to your spot then start fishing. You are by yourself and somehow you fall in. Who is going to throw it to you?

I have wondered this myself. Not ever fishermen and boater wear their life jackets at all times. Everyone knows where the life jackets are stored, yep in the compartments. If a boat were to wreck what good do the life jackets do in the compartments. Why do we even have to have life jackets on the boat.

[Carter1]

Dissel, we all know the answer to this of course, and that is to wear our lifejackets the whole time while on the water.

[09Z7SC]

How many people besides the op have been ticketed or warned about this by the KDFWR? I have been stopped several times and never have I been told by the CO that I was in violation. Me and my dad both have inflatables and know where the throw cushion is. Until I have a CO ticket me or warn me I will probably continue to operate the same way. I wear my PFD most of the time anyway.

[KyBass1]

I was thinking that if you fell in with one on and it inflated like it should, wouldn`t it not be usable again until you re armed it? Then you would have to have another pfd for you after you got back in the boat. So you probably need the same number of pfds as inflatables in the boat. KB1.

[Hlleonard]

I was thinking that if you fell in with one on and it inflated like it should, wouldn`t it not be usable again until you re armed it? Then you would have to have another pfd for you after you got back in the boat. So you probably need the same number of pfds as inflatables in the boat. KB1.

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I guess you are right, I never thought of that....I guess I will start keeping a regular life vest with me... If you get checked after you have fallen overboard you would probably get a ticket...

[Hlleonard]

How many people besides the op have been ticketed or warned about this by the KDFWR? I have been stopped several times and never have I been told by the CO that I was in violation. Me and my dad both have inflatables and know where the throw cushion is. Until I have a CO ticket me or warn me I will probably continue to operate the same way. I wear my PFD most of the time anyway.

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kybass1 might have posted a common sense answer to the question in that if you fall overboard and your jacket inflates then you would seem to be in violation after you have gotten back in the boat.

[stratos185]

I was thinking that if you fell in with one on and it inflated like it should, wouldn`t it not be usable again until you re armed it? Then you would have to have another pfd for you after you got back in the boat. So you probably need the same number of pfds as inflatables in the boat. KB1.

I use the Stearns inflatables and that is why I carry a couple of rearming kits with me in the boat at all times. I can rearm a pfd in about 15 minutes.

[sweetwater]

I was thinking that if you fell in with one on and it inflated like it should, wouldn`t it not be usable again until you re armed it? Then you would have to have another pfd for you after you got back in the boat. So you probably need the same number of pfds as inflatables in the boat. KB1.

I hadn't thought of this either but it makes perfect sense to me.

[diversified]

Not sure, but i may have a answer. My step daughter works for the COE at lake Cumberland and i ask her this question. She is one of the people that promotes the use of PFD and safety. Her response is, when the law was made the theory was that while in the water that you could put on a vest and get it buckled, however, when a inflatable expands it is so tight and buoyant that it is nearly impossible to put it on while in the water.

[dac]

Not all auto-inflatables must be worn at all times to count as a life jacket. Some auto inflatables state that on recreational vessels they are a Type II, and do not have to be worn to count. They also state that on commercial vessels, they are a type 5 and must be worn at all times to count. This is the case with my Mustange auto inflatable. Read the label to know for sure.