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At what speed do you wear lifevests?
- Thread starter GRADS
- Start date
MarylandMark
Charter Member
I need to wear mine more; if not for me than for my friends and family. Pretty sobering sight seeing friends and family camped out at the dock until a body is recovered.
The one I referenced in my prior post. Where the Scarab on the Ohio river was found running in circles (no lanyard either) and two known, experienced boater's bodies were nowhere to be found. They were recovered a few days later- no vests. And this was a fairly simple, very survivable hook that tossed the guys out. If it was a 130 mph stuff/flip/hook/whatever that destroyed the boat, I'd say we could debate outcomes on this one. But this one didn't even harm the boat. it was putting in circles when rescuers arrived.
cuda
Banned
cuda
Banned
By the same token, I can guarantee the cause of death won't be death by downing, IF wearing a life jacket.
Go ahead and call BS on that.
When you get a Lipship Gun, they must come equiped with a needle that automatically injects you with testoterone. You didn't become Evel Bollweevil until after you got the gun.
I wish Philly would chime in. I saw him and his brother in 20 foot Cigs on a LAKE, and they both had lifejackets on.
boostbros
New member
alls fun and cool till the cute girl in back gets tossed out while standing up to re do her hair by the time you turn around and go back you can,t find her its a sickning helpless scene! small thin women or men sink like a rock! you play hard enough or long enough you will be involved or come up on a boat accident on the water. i will warn you one sound you never want to hear in life is a father identifing his 16 year old son on the boat ramp it is a scream that will always haunt you. i wear a good new style soft vest any time i,m underway on the water even on our 70 foot tugboat that only goes 10 mph. the very least you could wear is the inflatable vest it adds class to any boat to take safty precautions and if you are hell bent on not then please don,t video your stunts and post them it makes us all look bad
cuda
Banned
It's like they say about pistols: I hit with a 22 is better than a miss with a 44.
Tank
Charter Member
very well, that's why I asked. I don't doubt people have been killed not wearing vests, its just all the highly publicized wrecks, those killed have had vests on.
Maybe some of you don't get my point. I agree, vests are great. Just don't try to take away my freedom to choose. And if you're going to bring up the "your choice will cost us ours later" thing, refer to my second to last post. The statistics just aren't there.
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MarylandMark
Charter Member
I agree 100%- and Gov't mandates are not the answer. Along the same lines I feel anyone (or their estate) not wearing a vest should reimburse the Gov't for the search and rescue/recover operation.
I don't wear mine much- seems only like when I am solo or it is really rough- which is no excuse and just being honest. I do wear my lanyard 98% of the time- it's my right to off myself; not my right to off anyone else.
Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
I'm the same way, don't wear it much. Hopefully will start wearing it more. There has been many times conditions and speed said I should have had it on. Well, we'll see if I am gaining wisdom.
T2x
Icon/Charter Member
Tank:
Life vests by themselves are only part of a much bigger picture.
1. Life vests are a necessity to keep you floating upright while unconscious or disabled....or for extended periods of time in rough or cold water even if you are an excellent swimmer.
2. Helmets are necessary to reduce (not eliminate) head injuries
3. HANS devices further reduce head injuries and reduce neck injuries simultaneously, but must be used with 5 point harnesses.
4. Safety Cockpit standards reduce ballistic impact injuries in the occupants immediate area, while providing construction that sustains strength through moments of impact and submersion.
5. Oxygen systems sustain life in disorienting upside down situations when water is introduced to the situation.
6. Emergency lighting allows you to see under the same circumstances as #5 above.
7. 5 point harnesses (properly installed) keep the occupant from ballistic impact with hard structures during any mishap at speeds over 60.
8. (Properly designed)Enclosed capsules prevent water intrusion during high speed flips and rollovers, while in some cases deflecting other hulls, lower units, etc from penetration during collisions (see #4 above). The strength and integrity of this technology is rendered immediately worthless as soon as you open ...or remove.... the hatches, reduce the window framing strength, allow water openings around the window perimeters, or remove any structural supports.
9. Hull "crush zones" (typically forward and on the deck) allow for needed deceleration during impacts at high speed.
10. Extensive driver training...... for anybody who routinely plays in the mid 100's speed environment.......... is an absolute requirement....to make you a "student" (not a "Master", for no one will ever attain that throne) of the genre. Continual training and exposure to information (preferably photographic/video evidence) on the dynamics that occur in high speed accidents is the only way to develop the respect needed to put life jackets on the "super heros in their own minds" that abound in our sport.
All of the above in concert with each other are needed. Yes, some rich dentist or stock broker, can go out and buy an open cockpit 170 mph pleasure boat.... but the margin for error....is zero.
Failure to acknowledge the above data...has killed far too many people...and, sadly, will again.
T2x
Tank
Charter Member
GRADS
New member
Here's another great one. Open cockpit boat, almost 160 m.p.h. and no lifevests....but I guess it's okay because it's probably one of those cadillac boats. http://users.accesscomm.ca/tombrown/Aneurysm.wmv
Tank
Charter Member
Gawd dam! That was a sweet video!!:biggrinjester::26:
cuda
Banned
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