Safety Of Life At Sea

PFD's, or Personal Floatation Devices, come in many shapes, colors and materials. Safety Orange is the most common. Some are made rugged to last longer while others are made to maintain body heat in cold water. No matter which PFD you choose, get one that is right for your planned activities, passengers, and the water conditions in which you will you will be operating.

Always look for the United States Coast Guard approval number before you purchase any PFD and make sure you understand the regulations and requirements in the state you are in. Also, make sure you properly maintain whatever PFD you choose.

Care and Feeding of your Life Jackets and other Safety Gear
Like all safety equipment, lifejackets require regular maintenance and servicing. Proper care can help you prolong the life of your lifejacket and save you money.

Store in a dry area of the boat out of direct sunlight. This will slow color fading.

Keep them clean.

When your boat is not in use, or winterized, wash flotation devices a mild soap and rinse WELL with clear water, and store them in a clean, dry area where air can circulate. Do not hang from a nail on the garage wall. It will deform the material and cause a weak spot in the flotation bags. Preferably, lay flat on a wire shelf so air can circulate to both sides. Cover with a dust cloth if necessary.

Remove batteries from strobe/flashlights, Hand Held Radios, EPRIBs or, any other battery powered device, clean the contacts with a Q-tip, lightly moistened, with Windex^® brand window cleaner. The silicon in the Windex will protect the contacts from corrosion during storage. You may also use this to clean plastic housings on the same equipment. Just don't overuse. Never spray directly onto electronic devices.

Store batteries separately in airtight baggies or vacuum pack if possible..

Remove any pyrotechnics and store them in a cool, dry, metal box. Surplus ammo boxes work very well.

Before using lifejackets, inspect the straps, fasteners and fabric. If damaged, frayed or just plain old, Replace the unit.

BEFORE USE • Check The Date On Flares, and Other Pyrotechnics. Replace as necessary.
DO NOT RELY ON OUT OF DATE PYROTECHNICS.
Your life is worth more than the price of a few flares.

Batteries: Check date. If out of date, get new ones. Give close attention to specialty batteries for radio transmitters and EPRIBs. Don't skimp here! Common cells such as 9v or alkeline cells should be replaced every 6 months. Use the old batteries in your favorite toy.

Don't forget to test each flashlight, strobe or radio. Carry extra bulbs for the flashlight.
DO NOT TEST EPRIB's!! Refer EPRIB testing to the manufacturer! Else, you may find a rescue chopper on your lawn.

If,at any time you have questions regarding the condition of your lifejacket, or, other safety equipment, take it to your nearest dealer, otherwise call the manufacturer. Although, if you question the item, it is probably better to replace it.

Purchase the right size and type of PFD for your child(ren) and make sure they are wearing it. Instruct them so they understand how it will work in the water before heading out! Small children (under 13) and Non-Swimming adults are required to wear a PFD at all times.

HINT: Make a fun and games thing out of wearing a Life Preserver. Prizes or accolades for who can wear the lifejacket correctly, who can put it on the fastest, Who can tell you the color, who can recite the "Boat's safety rules." Anything and everything. Every child aboard must win this game.

Many states have specific regulations regarding the type of lifejacket children must wear. Make sure you are aware of the requirements in your state before buying a PFD for your child.

All lifejacket's are clearly labeled with the appropriate weight range for the product. Further, each is labeled as to the class (I, II or III, see box below) Check the label to match the weight range of your child. Check for a good fit, pick the child up by shoulders of the PFD. If the it fits, the child's chin and ears will not slip through.

Children come in many sizes and shapes. If one PFD style does not work well, try another one.
While children weighing between 30 and 50 pounds may like the freedom of movement that a Type III lifejacket provides, most children in this weight range, especially those who cannot swim, should wear a Type I or Type II lifejacket. If you plan offshore activity, insist on a type 1, inshore a type 2 or V will fill the legal requirements.

The Five Approved Types Of PFD's

Higher buoyancy means a bulkier PFD, which may interfere with activity or be unnecessary in certain situations. Therefore, the US Coast Guard has approved five types (figure 1). Type 1 is meant for offshore use-boating in a large body of water like an ocean. Accidents at sea may require prolonged flotation in rough water, and some victims may lose consciousness, which requires that the PFD hold the wearer face up. To fit the bill, a bulky PFD is required that provides a minimum adult buoyancy of 22 pounds. Because of the bulk, a type 1 PFD may be uncomfortable when worn out of the water. It's also not fashionable-which may explain its absence at cocktail parties. Fashion is not a major problem, though, because a type 1 PFD is generally used only in an emergency. Type 2 is a less bulky version of the type 1 PFD and is meant for near-shore use. This typically means relatively calm, inland water and potentially short immersion time. A type 2 PFD has less buoyancy (15.5-pound minimum), and is less effective at turning a person face up. The type 2, though, is more comfortable out of the water but still may be too bulky for continuous wear. Type 3 is called a flotation aid. It is more streamlined than types 1 and 2, but less effective. Designed for when a fast rescue is likely, it has a buoyancy of at least 15.5 pounds. The sleek fit offers greater comfort and mobility. Its most common styles are the classic vest and the flotation coat. Type 4 is a throwable device, commonly called a lifesaver. Besides the familiar doughnut shape, it also comes in a horseshoe and a square cushion. A type 4 is considered to be only a backup measure and takes practice to throw well. For it to be effective, help must be near. Once the device is thrown, the victim has to be able to get to it, and therefore must be conscious and somewhat of a swimmer. Also, a throwable device is difficult to use in currents or high waves. Cushions have a higher buoyancy (18 pounds) than do rings (16.5 pounds). Type 5 inflatable PFD is now USCG approved. It does not count as a lifejacket unless it is being worn. Type 5 jackets (inflatable) should be inspected frequently to insure the charging (inflating) cartridge is in good condition. Some type 5 PFDs are inflatable and offer great buoyancy when inflated (22 pounds) plus less bulk when deflated. Continuous wear is comfortable when the PFD is not inflated. Without inflation, though, buoyancy is markedly reduced (7.5 pounds). Also, the inflation chamber must be checked regularly. A type 5 is not recommended for small children as they will find it irresistable to "pull the string" and see if it works. Then you have to re-pack and re-charge at a cost of $10.00 or so.

STROBE LIGHTS

Opinions, everyone has one. Opinions on Strobe Lights are divergent. Some believe they are of little value, others swear by them. But, this page focuses on inshore, close costal and river rescue. Under these conditions, a strobe is quite valuable. They can be seen for several miles, day or night, depending on the type. Water activated models should be used on children's and pet's life preservers. It will make them visible even during daylight from a very long distances. A good strobe could mean the difference between rescue in time and a funeral. Place the strobe as high as possible on the vest The left shoulder is a good spot. Use extra straps if necessary. This Strobe is one of the better choices on the market. Its big advantage is in using standard batteries. (Many water activated strobes are one use and throw away types.) It has a big flash too. 250,000 peak lumens. For comparison, a 100watt household bulb's output is 1680 lumens. Therefore the strobe's peak output is equivalent to about 148 100 Watt bulbs.

FIREFLY STROBE A WATER ACTIVATED strobe is ideal for children or pets!

Automatic S-O S Light S-O-S lights are a substitute for aerial pyrotechnics, but do not give the over-the-horizon view that altitude will. For line of sight, and signaling aircraft, they are quite useful.

More on pets and strobes later.

About Flares
An old seaman's proverb is "Flares are like blessings, you can never have enough." If anything were ever true, that old sally is. The USCG has places a 42 month life span on flares and other pyrotechnics for a reason. That being old chemicals change their characteristics over time. I have experimented (firing into a drum of water) with outdate flare units (68 months) and here is what I found. Skyblazer Rockets. Of 6, 3 failed to fire at all, and the other three were not as bright as they should have been. 12 Ga Meteor flares. Of 6 1 failed to fire, 2 plopped out the launcher. The others worked as they should. SOLAS rocket propelled parachute flare. FIred, but was not very powerful or bright and only lasted about 5 seconds. Orange Smoke 3 units all failed to ignite. Hand Led locator:2 units burned erratically with a LOT of white smoke and very little light output. Conclusion: Out of date pyrotechnics are worth keeping for backups, but don't bet your life on them. Replace flares when they expire!

Flares, care and feeding

Taking care of your flares is a must. Never leave them exposed to the elements. Don't allow your signal kit to bang around in the bottom of the boat. Keep it clean and dry. Before and after each trip, check the kit for water. If you find water, replace the pyrotechnics. It is s good idea to keep a (fresh) bag of hand launched rockets attached to the master life preserver. These should be replaced annually as they tend to get beat up from handling.

First Aid kits

First aid kits are required for certain vessels. But in my opinion all should have one. Most marine stores sell a medium sized, soft bag kit. I prefer a hard shell such as this: Constructed of virtually unbreakable plastic, this kit is watertight, airtight, crushproof, rustproof, and immune to un-american infulances. The kit will float when fully loaded. Contents include a wide range of first aid products to treat all types of injuries from cuts and abrasions to burns. It is also refillable.The manufacturer, Zee Medical has been around for a long time and delivers a high quality product.

ABANDON SHIP BAG

This abandon ship discussion is for costal or inshore waters. Within 20 miles of land or in a (*SJR*) river. A properly equipped abandon ship ship bag is essential to your survival should you find yourself and passengers suddenly without a boat. This list is only Some of the items one should consider loading onto your splash bag. A couple of bright yellow boat cushions strapped to the outside will provide floatation and a bright color for rescuers to see. But the more you add, the more flotation the bag will have. It makes a good "raft" and will keep your stuff with you In heavy current situations. 4-6 boat cushions will make a nice "raft" if tied together. (*SJR*) It is necessary to tether your passengers and survival equipment. This prevents you and those depending on you from becoming separated. In most rivers, it is unlikely you will be in the water more than 24 hours. But you must plan for 48 hours. Also, there is the possibility of being washed out to sea through the mouth of the river.(*SJR*) The St. Johns has an especially treacherous mouth and jetties. The current rips through at up to 12-15 mph and with the wind blowing from the northeast, the rollers and riptides are big enough to, and have, swallowed a 50' vessel in seconds! And not even a burp..

If you have to abandon in the jetties, stay away from the rocks. They will cut you to pieces. Beware of ships too, as the channel is a busy place. It is unlikely a ship will see you unless you fire a flare. By then it may be too late. Ships DO NOT have brakes and take a while to stop. A prudent use of smoke will alert someone in that area as the Navy has a carrier base there and the USCG is just up the river..

FIRST THINGS FIRST.
USE THE RADIO IF IT IS STILL WORKING AND CALL ON CH 16.. MAYDAY..MAYDAY..MAYDAY, VESSEL IN DISTRESS... THIS IS (BOAT NAME) REPEAT 3 TIMES

IN CASE OF FIRE GET THE PASSENGERS OFF AND TO SAFETY FIRST!
THE FUEL TANKS COULD EXPLODE!
(100 gallons of gas makes a heck of a fireball! )

STAY WITH THE BOAT AS LONG AS IT FLOATS!
A BOAT IS EASIER TO SPOT THEN A LIFE PRESERVER

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A word about tethers. The best tether line is 5/16" shock cord, similar to what bungee cord is made from. Use a heavy, locking type hook and loop it through the lifejacket, latching the hook back onto the teather. Attach the other end to a stainless steel O ring this will absorb most of the wave action.

WE'RE SINKING!

The decision to abandon is not an easy one. But once made, proceed in an pre planned, and orderly manner. Remain calm and authoritative, and take charge, "put on your Captain's Hat" so to speak. Nothing will panic your already frightened passengers faster than a Captain that acts like he or she doesn't know what to do. Make sure your passengers, particularly Non-Swimmers and children have their life preservers correctly fitted. Tether all the vests together so you do not become separated in the current. Grab your abandon ship bag and give to to a "responsible" passenger with instructions to oversee the bag. It is easier for rescuers to spot a group of bright orange vests then it is to spot 1 so tether together . Make Mayday calls. Your radio signal should: Be on Ch 16; State "Mayday--Mayday--Mayday" Or "Pan--Pan--Pan"; give vessel name;(This is Myboat) location: L&L, Landmarks (GPS numbers are best); type of vessel; color; Number of souls aboard; number of children; special information such as medical needs. Keep transmitting until acknowledged. Stay with radio as long as possible without endangering yourself. Remember, as Captain, you are the best chance for survival your passengers have. Once in the water, stay as close to the boat as is safe. If it is on fire, withdraw your group to a distance they will not be injured should the fuel explode. (100 gallons of high octane will make a really big fireball.) Once the fire goes out, return to the vessel and, if possible re-board. Now that you are wet, tie the abandon bag to your tether ring, open up the abandon bag carefully. Get out the radio and tie it off to your life vest. Try to make contact with rescue. If there is no response, do not waste the batteries trying over and over. Listen for contact. Wait 15 minuets and try transmitting again. Do not fire flares or send up smoke unless there is a vessel or rescue aircraft in sight. Use smoke, dye markers, or panels during the day. Pyrotechnic devices are not very visible during daylight. At night have half the group turn on their strobes. All children's strobes should already be on. Make sure you have extra batteries for strobe units in the "bag". Many signal kits are supplied with a vinyl "orange distress flag", keep this with you and display it as possible.

HINT: