Why we don't wear lifejackets - is there a better life vest or PFD?

Many people don't wear a life vest or personal flotation device. We all know that life vests save lives but many people don't bother wearing a life jacket when they are boating. In this video I talk about some of the different types of life jackets, why many of us don't wear a PFD, and some of the reasons why we should rethink our approach to personal flotation devices. Boating safety sources constantly preach that we should always wear a PFD when we're out on the water.
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Boat safety is something many don't like to spend much time thinking about. But it doesn't always have to be hard or super uncomfortable to be a little safer out there on the water. Self-inflating PFDs and auto-inflating life jackets are more comfortable to wear.
Here's some links to check out or purchase some of the items in this video from Amazon
- 4 pack of USCG approved standard life jackets - amzn.to/3xBbgJb
- Watersports Life Vests - amzn.to/3tEF862
- Self-Inflating Life Jackets - amzn.to/3N0nuQW
- Auto inflating belt pack PFDs - amzn.to/3zHsMhf
- Rearming kit (CO2 cartridge) for self-inflating PFDs - amzn.to/3O2YUAg
As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
00:00 Introduction
01:08 US law regarding wearing PFDs
01:39 The standard Type II traditional orange life jacket
02:27 Watersports Vest Style PFD life vest
03:07 Why people don't wear a life jacket while boating
04:00 The local boater who didn't make it back
04:46 Auto Inflating or Self Inflating PFDs
05:58 Belt pack PFD auto inflating wearable PFD
06:42 Pros and Cons of the different types of life jackets and life vests
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#PFD #lifejacket #wearapfd
Sound effects and additional music is copyright free from iMovie
Little girl photo: Pexels - Stephen Andrews
Man on boat: Pexels - ArtHouse Studio
People on motorboat: Pexels - Sindre Strøm
Lifejacket on rocks: Pexels - Nikita Belokhonov
Putting on PFD video: Pexels - Gustavo Fring
Ariel boat video: Pexels - Kelly L
People on boat at sunset video: Pexels - Aleksey Skatchkov

[@HenryFL1]

According to the California department of boating , 9 out of 10 drowning victims were not wearing a PFD . You tube has many videos one can watch showing boaters falling off their craft at inlets with no PFD . Thumbs up 👍 to a very important topic that can save lives !

[@BoatBloke]

I always wear a pfd when ever I’m on the water..It amazes me how many times I see boaters not wearing anything, even their children. Great video mate

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Thank you!

[@AB-bg1or]

I spent a lot of years as a water cop and pulled plenty of bodies from the water. The one thing they all had in common was none had a PFD on.

[@LunkerFishing]

I always wear a PFD while on the water. I am a tournament fisherman and you will be disqualified if the outboard is running and you are not wearing a PFD that is properly secured. I also fish alone many times so I always wear a PFD. I always wear a self inflating PFD and most of the time I do not even know I have it on.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Do you prefer the belt style or the vest style?

[@SOGOnic]

I wear a pfd anytime I'm alone, or on a boat with low sides(bass boat). I have a "fishing" vest style pfd that is my favorite. Plenty of pockets for gear and phone but small straps on the shoulders. I don't trust the self inflating ones. Seen too many videos where they don't inflate or inflate because they were bumped wrong.

[@capt.gregusmm9303]

For those that boat in winter, a good float coat is an option. Warmer than a regular winter jacket, and you don't really notice the internal flotation when wearing it. Mustang makes a really good one, so does Stearns.

[@collinparsons3363]

If I'm in a kayak, I typically don't wear a PFD because I never go far from shore, and it gets too hot. Otherwise I will typically wear one that's of the vest style. Also, on a motorboat or jetski, I wear the killswitch cord if there is one. The last thing you want in the event of an ejection is for your boat to speed away without you, or worse yet, you get caught in the propellers.

[@mikeo.750]

Hi Wayne We haven't had a boat for at least 35 years but I'm drawn to your channel. You are very informative, humorous, and Common sense to boot. Enjoying your channel in SC

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Awesome, thank you!

[@geebroni4118]

It is extremely difficult to put on a pfd once in the water.

[@ronmayo8591]

We have several different types. We wear the auto inflatable when the weather is warm. We also have the best style that we wear when the weather is colder. They help to keep in the body heat. Also have the best style with mesh shoulder straps. Even our Yorkies wear their life vests. Like to think better safe than sorry.

[@vitoparrinello4003]

Thank you for making this video keep up the good work..

[@TripSmith]

Nice job on the video Wayne.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Thanks 👍

[@mike1983mn]

I wear the self inflating vest type most of the time. I do take it off sometimes when stopped if it’s really hot, but other than that I kind of forget it’s on. It’s was well worth the $150 for a nice one. In MN at least the self inflating PFD does need to be worn to count as a life jacket. If you are not wearing it then you do need to have enough “normal” PFDs on board for everyone not wearing one.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I think it’s the same here.

[@leschase1824]

I once heard someone say, "It only takes half a minute to put on a PFD Life Jacket when one dose not need it, but a Lifetime when you do need it and Drowning" for boating. I used to do a lot on my own in a small 10' foot RIB, rivers and coastal. Always wore a life jacket, killcord, and a 6' foot rope attached to a bottom loop on a pocket rope ladder which was secured to the boat on it's top. Should I ever accidently get thrown over the side, engine would kill, then folding rope ladder attached both to the RIB and myself would follow me in the water. I then would be able to climb back into the RIB fairly easily. I did practice going overboard in a safe place once in a while to check it out before hopefully not needing it in case of an emergency.

[@danielboughton3624]

I don't wear one sailing my little boat. If you capsize and are not somehow attached to the boat you have to take it off to get back to the boat and after going through that exercise a few times you don't bother anymore. In addition any bulky apparatus will limit your agility and could lead to an accident. I have inflatables for the big boat but would not wear those under normal conditions while in the cockpit but the chances of falling out of that cockpit short of a knockdown are zero. Also for big boats which are difficult to manage short handed and take a while to turn around rule #1 is don't fall off the boat. Rule #2 is don't set it on fire and that is only rule 2 because it is more obvious than don't fall off. Not mentioned in this video is the also very important 'do not become separated from your boat' which is why jet skis have kill switches and auto-circle. Even with a PFD you are in trouble if you can't get out of the water especially in cooler water and if you are offshore you are toast in most cases because even if someone is looking for you your head poking out of the water is tiny (also why old PFDs are orange).

[@GurrasGarage]

I do most of the time, I also wear a helmet when i’m riding my motorcycles

[@melissabacon2698]

I love to kayak, but I can't swim! I always wear the bulky type 2. At least I know my head will be held above water.

[@AZHighlandHomestead]

We just got new PFD’s from Costco this past week. They are very adjustable, comfortable, and we’re only $30. Would I wear it 100% of the time? Probably not, but would I be more likely to wear it? A lot more so than most others.

[@Omnipotant_1]

Only in bad conditions, when boating alone or when working forward on the deck of a sailboat.

[@peterb3124]

So - I boat a lot (5 times in the last 2 weeks) - in the same general region as you except that I am more commonly out on Potomac or Rappahannock rivers and not the Bay. I wear an A/M 33 - which has Type II performance - EVERY time the boat is up and running. I leave it on the seat when I am at a spot fishing. It is connected to my kill switch. Type II with 33 pounds of flotation will bring me face up even if I am out cold. My boat is kind of medium sized (about 23 feet from the very front to the end of the lower unit). If the water is so rough that I would be at risk moving around when the boat is anchored on a spot fishing, then I just don't go. My vest cost right at $200. Compared to what one really good rod/reel costs these days, that's not bad at all.....

[@sunsetatshabooms4558]

If u keep an eye on West marine, they sometimes have really good sales on the auto inflating ones. I had mine on over a jacket & wanted to take the jacket off. I took the life vest off & just the tip of it touch the water & boom! It inflated so they do work! I always wear mine when I kayak now but never when I boat. I should tho. Keep in mind we have several of the belt style & most of them don't autoninflate. U have to pull the cord % then they inflate & put it over your head.

[@Elcompaserg13]

Some arnt coastguard approved sadly

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Yeah when I was browsing I noticed that too

[@daniellamere3993]

I've got a early 80's mercury 2.2 like your 2.5, it came with an old boat that I bought, I changed the impeller after watching your video, the thing runs like a Champ..!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Those little 2 strokes can be pretty simple!

[@malekodesouza7255]

I don’t when we’re in the cabin under transit. I do when I’m outside walking around or up on the bow etc. Always when we’re in the dinghy transiting to shore from anchor. The water temp here is in the 50s year round. The self inflating horse collar types are the best of all worlds, IMO.

[@pauldavis4055]

On my boat, I am the captain and everyone who wants to ride, must wear one no exceptions. My friend and I were on the lake one day and a wave came over and swamped our boat. it happened so fast that had we not been wearing a life vest already either one or both of us may not have survived that day. One thing went wrong that day but there was a lot of things that we did that worked. too many to name. But suffice it to say, I wear a plastic shirking obnoxious piece of plastic that when you blow it, will leave blood dripping out your ears. Another cheap safety device that saves lives...

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

I am a kayaker, I ALWAYS wear my pfd every time. I am not sure about your country, but here in Australia the regulations around inflatable life jackets is you must service them every year "according to manufacturers guidelines" which is always "send it back to us along with the service fee" So the jacket is even more expensive in the long run. Not that a kayaker would ever want a self inflating jacket anyway lol But what a lot of boaties do is keep the cheap one onboard to meet legal requirements and still wear the inflatable without servicing.

[@josephmansell1137]

One thing to note is that if you have the inflatable PFD, you must wear it. If the USCG finds it stowed away and that’s your only option of PFD, you can be cited. I wear the ski type vest when by myself and take it off when I have another qualified operator in the boat with me.

[@maddgoatee9708]

Traditional recreational life jacket from West Marine $40. I don't use self inflating anymore. It so hot where I live they self inflate, once while wearing and once while PDF was seating on my deck.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Dang!

[@sarsapp]

I’m in the, “I wear it in the kayak but not on the pontoon” category. Also note: we boat on a lake where MOST areas are 4-6 foot deep. As the saying goes, “If you go in the water, don’t panic! Just stand up!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

LOL - people forget to try that!

[@Kasonas]

I always wear one but my husband doesn't. He is the captain and he keeps one right under his seat. The problem is that when we have guests on our boat the men don't want to wear one because he doesn't have one on. I always offer the women and they always wear one. I feel like my husband is a bad example but I'm not there to make anybody wear one. I wished it was the law like seat belts are.

[@youdonthavetoreadthispost.5850]

I always bring my own high-floatation, white-water, river-rated life jacket. I carry guide-rated jackets on the river for my passengers. I've worn full and shorty wet-suits in cold weather. Face-up is mandatory and offshore gear works inshore. Don't forget to tether to your kill switch and use it. I fished alone at night for Stripers and never took anything for granted. Drown-proof yourself so you stay alive long enough to die of hypothermia - that is not a joke. Cold kills too.

[@25Patman]

In some states, just an inflatbble seat cushion is enough to be legal. Or it used to be that way. Its been a few years for me.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Boats over 16 ft are required to have a throwable device and also a USCG approved PFD for every person on board

[@25Patman]

@@WayneTheBoatGuy Yea, dad had a 12ft shallow V. We only needed the throwable back then.

[@GrumpyOldMan9]

Take-away: PFDs serve to make your body easier to recover.

[@kickinitoutdoors5782]

I fish three to four time a week on Lake Ontario and St Lawrence River and the conditions can change in an instant. I have vest style for my passengers, and I wear an auto inflator. You will not get in my boat without wearing a life jacket of mine or bring your own while we are underway. while we are stopped fishing or using the trolling motor, I am fine with not wearing one. I do make sure one is in the ready to throw or hand in event of an overboard incident we have heavy current condition on the river in many places and you can get swept under quick!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Sounds like you're a good Captain!

[@kickinitoutdoors5782]

@@WayneTheBoatGuy Thank You means a lot! Don't want anyone get hurt on my watch, sometimes you have to make the hard choices.

[@majavivo]

West Marine had this month Buy one Get One free on the inflatable ones. Not sure if still on sale. I got two.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

That’s how I got mine!

[@gonzalomanriquezjr864]

I wear mine mainly because I have a bad back, bad knees, bad neck, and bad shoulders. I can swim, but it’s only a matter of time before my body locks up. It’s all about safety for me. Plus after wearing an IBA for a total of 33 months in Iraq vest don’t bother me that much lol

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Thank you for watching and for your service.

[@moto_rad]

I quite like wearing Type IIs for some reason. Maybe Im just a dork 🤣

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

They DO make a fashion statement!

[@sheldoncampbell2958]

I have a auto inflatable PFD for everyone on my boat. I make it mandatory to be worn on the boat.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Yeah I’m really liking those!

[@Voxguitarsrock]

I always wear my pfd. But I'm only out in my Kayak.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I feel weird without one in my kayak

[@choimdachoim9491]

Your shirt should have a logo titled Daviation or Daviaviation.

[@dan.debski4207]

Most the time we aren't in deep water and most the time, land is close. So no we do not need to wear a Life Jacket. Plus we learn to swim and wade in water to rest. So No we do not need to wear a Life Jacket. And it's not like wearing a Seat Belt.

[@Blue_Doge]

yea I really agreee with that seat belt one, if wearing a life jacket was the equivalent of wearing a seatbelt the coast gaurd would mandate their use, the reason not is because most people over 13 can swim or at least float, there is no secret tequnique to not getting your head caved in in a car crash. thats why children have to wear life jackets, then its kina similar

[@paulpuglia8480]

You don't wear a PFD when you go on a Cruise or on a Ferry with or without your car on the Ferry neither so where do you draw the line. I never went out on my Boat alone I had a 25ft Sea Ray and a 27ft. Formula but if I did go out alone I would wear it. I I'm getting a jet ski next year you have to wear a PFD on a Jet Ski it's the Law.

[@rateit1474]

Lifejackets should be mandatory to protect the protected swimmers from the unprotected swimmers.

[@simonjamesdean2307]

People who make excuses for not wearing a PFD need to remember that nobody puts to sea thinking their boat will sink, yet over time, many thousands have....

[@cwmaxfield2000]

Is a life worth $100, or 200 or even three . Simple math IMO

[@jimlaird8875]

Alot of PFD'S DO NOT keep your face out of the water if you are unconscious!

[@johnsambo9379]

I guess I will be the only honest people in here so I never do on the lake boat. Never had to use one. I can give you a thousand stories of people dying just being on a boat where a life jacket bad nothing to do with it. Why be in a bost at all if it's so dangerous. Think how many lives we will save banning boats for recreational purposes.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I look at it like seatbelts - we can potentially drive our whole life and never have benefitted from a seatbelt or airbag. But there's always the potential for that one time where it really matters.

[@chriseisele9969]

West coast still on sale buy one get one free

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

That's how we got ours!

[@charleslanphier8094]

Another reason not to go boating.