At what speed do you wear lifevests?

[GENERAL LEE]

Okay, so what is the fastest speed a life jacket has been credited with saving someones life?

And, on the same note, should we be wearing helmets above a certain speed?

I'm definitely not saying anyone should do as I do. I was just posting my personal habits. My boat is definitely fast enough to make many question if a jacket would matter. To me it's a no brainer for many reasons, other than I can't find any reasons not to wear them. Since I'd assume drowning would be the first thing that would kill you, I don't think helmets have as many benefits/comparisons between water and street, as a lifejacket on water does.

There have been lots of drag boat, hydroplane, and offshore racers saved from their lifejacket in the past. Yes, many have died, but many have lived that would have otherwise sank/drown after being knocked out. I'd say any open cockpit drag boat from the last 20+ years will do at least 120+ in the quarter? That's extremely fast, but at least you'd have a chance with a high speed jacket on.

 

[safa 1]

I saw this video on another website and thought they were crazy for not wearing vests. At what speed do you wear yours? Personally if I'm going any faster than an idle I'm wearing mine. I like the speed, I just don't have a death wish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umeo77pyOoo

thanks for your concern , i boat mostly in lake havasu and I never saw anyone wearing life vests [fast or slow] , i know its dangerous,but i only run the boat hard when i know its safe , be honest running the skater at 120 to 140 it feels like a Cadillac, i have full control of the boat, again thank you all for your comments, im glad to see all you guys are much safer then us

 

[catastrophe]

thanks for your concern , i boat mostly in lake havasu and I never saw anyone wearing life vests [fast or slow] , i know its dangerous,but i only run the boat hard when i know its safe , be honest running the skater at 120 to 140 it feels like a Cadillac, i have full control of the boat, again thank you all for your comments, im glad to see all you guys are much safer then us

Its like a Cadillac allright...until something breaks or a transmission or drive takes a hike.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

thanks for your concern , i boat mostly in lake havasu and I never saw anyone wearing life vests [fast or slow] , i know its dangerous,but i only run the boat hard when i know its safe , be honest running the skater at 120 to 140 it feels like a Cadillac, i have full control of the boat, again thank you all for your comments, im glad to see all you guys are much safer then us

I guess you haven't been hurt or learned a hard lesson yet.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

I mean no disrespect.

No one is immune to misfortune

 

[masher44]

Its how you land, not how fast you land.

 

[safa 1]

look cant we all just get along , no really i understand your guy's point, im not the only one and you guys know that, if its that important it should be enforced

 

[Pit]

Its how you land, not how fast you land.

And sometimes you do not know how or when you are going to land.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

James,

We are just sharing opinions.

Be safe.

 

[safa 1]

James,

We are just sharing opinions.

Be safe.

thanks Jim, have a good night

 

[Tommy Gun]

My general rule is jacket on and kill switch hooked up anytime the boat is going up on plane...I've been asked if I know how to swim.

Its not me I'm concerned about...

 

[Expensive Date]

Always and a helmet if in the ocean if its rough.About 10 years ago I was running my Jet-Ski hard in late Sept. it was mid week and nobody was around took a wave wrong and got chucked of.My ankle hit the ski on the way off and I originally thought it was broke.I also had my kill switch on so thinking my ankle was broke I swam back to the ski using only my arms and pulled myself up.Turned out my ankle was not broke just a bad sprain.But without a vest don't know if the outcome would have been different if you have never hit the water at 60 you have no idea how hard it is and how long you will slide intill you go under.
Every piece of safety equipment you have on increases you chances of survival I do not run a boat without a vest

 

[Trim'd Up]

look cant we all just get along , no really i understand your guy's point, im not the only one and you guys know that, if its that important it should be enforced

I definitely don't think it should be enforced. The government is "protecting" us way more than they should now. To me, it is personal choice, just like seat belts would be if it wasn't for insurance lobbyists.

Honestly, it is amazing I survived my younger days on the water. I used to think the throttle was an on/off switch, no matter what the water conditions, and never wore a life jacket or kill switch for that matter. As I have gotten older, I have become more aware of the dangers.

A couple of years ago I pulled a couple people out of the water missing limbs after a boating accident (that was caused by pure stupidity). I have seen people tossed out in relatively smooth water good sized boats, and have had some close calls myself. My driving style has definitely changed, along with my drinking style. Unfortunately I still don't wear my life jacket often enough.

 

[catastrophe]

QUESTION

Does everyone agree that POKER RUN organizers insist on Lifevest usage or expulsion from event?

 

[Trim'd Up]

I busted myself up on a sea-doo before too. I am not sure how things would have been without the life jacket. I went over the bike at 60 or so, and it then went over me, but luckily I blocked it with my face.

 

[Chris]

QUESTION

Does everyone agree that POKER RUN organizers insist on Lifevest usage or expulsion from event?

Absolutely. Purely from a liability perspective, if nothing else.

I've been in boats without a vest before and afterwards I've always felt stupid. I also know that people succumb to peer pressure. If the captain has one on, it's easier for everyone else to wear one. I've woken up bobbing in the water and was glad the vest stayed on.

But this is all about personal choice. If you don't want to wear one, that should be up to you. But like smoking, if you get lung cancer, that's the price you pay for the choices you made. But think for a moment about those you bring along with you. Often they're not knowledgeable at all about the sport and its risks. You not wearing one implicityly tell your passegers they don't need one. That's not something I'm comfortable doing.

 

[catastrophe]

But like smoking, if you get lung cancer, that's the price you pay for the choices you made.


Little different outlook up here. When you get lung cancer up here EVERYBODY pays for it.
If everyone isnt wearing a lifejacket you can't help one another if there is an incident.

Take it from someone that almost died with 5 of my friends in 2003. Thank God sh t floats.

 

[AugiePensa]

I'd say all the time. Life jackets have SAVED me Twice in racing accidents. By all accounts I shouldn't be typing right now. Thank You God and Lifeline!

 

[Ratickle]

QUESTION

Does everyone agree that POKER RUN organizers insist on Lifevest usage or expulsion from event?

Absolutely. It's tough enough to get event insurance and have your boat insured for it. No excuses for not in any organized event. Crap happens...

 

[glh]

Okay, so what is the fastest speed a life jacket has been credited with saving someones life?

And, on the same note, should we be wearing helmets above a certain speed?

This guy wiped out at over Mach 3....

great read


http://www.alexisparkinn.com/sr-71_break-up.htm