Safety

Servicing Type V Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

If you’re like a lot of recreational boaters, you may not pay a much attention to your life vest. You might not even know what PFD stands for – Personal Floatation Device. You may have even purchased a type V PFD with your #1 criteria being comfort. You throw it on each time you go out, mainly just to make a show of it, and take it off as soon as you’re outside the marina – confident that you’ll remember to put it back on if the weather picks up.

By admin, ago

Seasickness

Seasickness is not as serious a condition as hypothermia, but it can spoil a fun day. Being seasick will also make a person more prone to hypothermia if they should be unfortunate enough to fall overboard as well. Some people are more prone to seasickness than others, but no one Read more…

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Sailboat Safety

There are a few different ways to get hurt on a boat. Any of these could kill you under the right circumstances, so take them seriously. The risks are easily minimized if proper caution is used. Fall overboard Don’t think that knowing how to swim eliminates this risk. The distances Read more…

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USCG Required Equipment

Safety Equipment

Along with the Coast Guard PFD requirements already mentioned, most states require additional safety equipment on board boating vessels. Again, reference your specific state’s boating laws to determine exactly what equipment is legally required, but the list is likely to include some combination of the following. Navigation lights can be Read more…

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PFD Types

Life Jackets

Lifejackets – or more generally personal flotation devices (PFDs) – are classified by their function and buoyancy into five types. The table below describes each type. Federal law requires at least one lifejacket (any non-throwable type) per person to be on board any boating vessel. Larger boats (16 ft or Read more…

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Hypothermia Lethal Times

Hypothermia

A somewhat surprising fact about boating is that hypothermia is usually a bigger threat than drowning, particularly in chilly waters. Most people are aware of the possibility of drowning, but neglect the risk of hypothermia and therefore aren’t adequately prepared to react to cold water immersion. What is hypothermia? Hypothermia Read more…

By admin, ago