life jackets

[sweetwater]

sweetwater i think ky the law is that as long as you wear the inflatable you do not need another but if you take it off you do

Maybe so, I'm not sure. Certain types of inflatables are not USCG approved unless they are being worn. Someone on this board researched this one time. (if memory serves me correctly)

[sweetwater]

I found it, by Carter1

Straight Talk from KDFWR Re: Inflatable PFD's I went out to KDFWR this morning and spoke with Major Estes. A very nice fellow and temporarily in charge of the Law Enforcement Division. He gave me a copy of: 301 KAR 6:020 Boating Safety Equipment and he highlighted the section we here have been discussing. I will only put the highlighted portion on here.

Section 4. Personal Flotation Devices.
(7) An operator may substitute Type V personal flotation devices for other required personal flotation device, if the Type V device:
(a) Is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for the type of vessel and activity in which the vessel is being used; and
(b) Is being used according to the approved conditions on the label.

He told me they will be discussing this issue very soon. I also suggested that they talk about it on their live "call In" show on Kentucky Afield. They are planning to get more information out here for everyone so be watching. And I mentioned to Lee McClellan that maybe he could post an article on here regarding this issue so watch for that too.

So what does this mean? It means that we can use an inflatable without having to have a Type II laying out on the deck and available. It means we do not have to wear them all the time if we don't want to (exception is the labeling by Coast Guard which states it must be worn to be approved). So check the label on your inflatable PFD's to see if yours must be worn at all times.

I hope this clears everything up. It does for me. If any of you have any questions I would be glad to answer them if I can.

Last edited by Carter1; 03-06-2012 at 04:38 PM.

[Carter1]

Thanks for finding and posting that Sweetwater. Saved me the trouble Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year!

Roll Tide!!

[HURRICANEBOB]

To save money on a PFD, can I just wear bib overalls and stuff all my empty beer cans in the pockets?
Would I be more in accord with the law if I used empty twist off cap beer bottles and reinstalled the cap?

[sweetwater]

To save money on a PFD, can I just wear bib overalls and stuff all my empty beer cans in the pockets?
Would I be more in accord with the law if I used empty twist off cap beer bottles and reinstalled the cap?

Since alcohol is not as dense as water you could fill your pockets with full aluminum bottles of beer (they float) then drink the beer, replace the caps and put the empty bottles back in your pockets as the day progresses.


Or, if you drank enough beforehand, you could get your blood alcohol level to the point where you'd be naturally buoyant. That's feels better than a inflatable PFD.

[Moveon]

I still wear the old fashion type life jacket and I wear it all the time while in the boat. I fish by myself a lot and am older now. The last thing I want is to end up drowning in the lake were I love to fish. But age is catching up to me and I don't jump around as well as when I was younger.

I'd like to think that the new auto inflatable life jackets would be 100% reliable but I doubt that they work 100% of the time. They are lighter and less bulky which would nice in the hotter summer months. But I don't trust them ..yet. Plus they are more expensive to buy.

QUOTE=Shellkat;504307]Do you prefer a jacket or the newer auto/ manual vest. Just wondering if some of you are 100%talking confident it will deploy when you need it. If a man was to quick unexpected dip in the lake, he would haveto re- arming stuff and haveto stop and regroup. Never wore one much but I am not as young or in as good of shape as i once was. Now i wear one while running and throw it in driver seat when fishing. Usually dont fish alone and really considering some sort of boarding ladder that you can get from the water.[/QUOTE]

[HURRICANEBOB]

Or, if you drank enough beforehand, you could get your blood alcohol level to the point where you'd be naturally buoyant.

Ya know I tried that several times and it only worked so long as the water wasn't too cold and my stomach muscles didn't contract.