Should I wear life preserver on dive boat?

:drown: I searched all forums pretty well, for the last year at least, and I couldn't find anything on this...?

I've been out on dive boats about a hundred times, and I've heard the safety talks: "If you see the captain and me putting ours on, you might want to do the same." But I wonder if waiting on the "Professionals" is prudent enough?

Of the dive boats I've been out on, I've been through 8-12 foot seas, with waves hitting the windshield, and this was on a pretty open boat. I've been on boats that were closely approached by others. And I've wondered about some of the skippers; truth is, I usually know very little about the captain?

But when I read the newspaper stories about people dying in mishaps, all too often the stories include a comment about the victim not wearing:
(a) a seatbelt, in a car or pickup;
(b) a helmet, on a motorcycle; or
(c) a life preserver, on a boat.

I do feel much safer on the boat than I do on the hiway en route to the dock, and I think the stats support me on this, but would it not be a good idea to put mine on until we stop the boat - then switch to my BC. :crazyeyes The only reasons I can think not to are (a) comfort, and I can deal with that, or (b) people will think I'm a geek, which I usually don't worry about.

:geek: So, would anyone agree with mny concerns...??

Thanks,

If there is any doubt in your mind then it is a good idea to put on the PFD. If you own one of your own (like for kayaking or skiing) bring it.
A jacket of your own will be more comfortable and you won't need to ask the crew for it.

If anybody says anything you can just answer, "Hey, I can't swim."ut:

My lifejacket also has a whistle and signal mirror attached and they can be handy for getting someones attention.

....seriously.

Something like 90% of all "overboard" losses of crew on boats that result in the crewmember dying are men.

A huge number of them (like well over half) have their fly's down when they are recovered.

No, I'm not kidding.

Its real common to do that, 'ya know. All it takes is a moment of lost balance or inattention and bang - you're in the water with the boat heading for the horizon.

In all seriousness, if you're that concerned about the boat you're on, you might want to consider an inflatable PFD like the SOSpenders. Get one with a manual deployment (so it doesn't accidentally go off due to water on board!); they are very small and light when deflated, and while they don't provide the kind of lift that a Type 1 offshore vest does, they also aren't big bulky pains in the butt.

Now, I won't get on a boat that doesn't carry them. I recently became more careful about this, afte an interesting experience I posted in Central America.

Maybe I'll take one of theirs out right away, "to use as a cushion," then put it on at the first threat. And yes - I have peed off the back of a moving dive boat. :wacko:

Thanks again!

dandydon once bubbled...
:

:geek: So, would anyone agree with mny concerns...??

Thanks,

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I don't remotely share your concerns, and consider my scuba gear as my life jacket, but, if you're really worried, get a snorkel vest and wear it when you're not geared up.

I always at least like to know where they are, and I also keep my wetsuit on top of my gear basket when I'm on a dive boat.

I'm one of those unlucky folks who's negatively buoyant, even in salt water. Had a few close calls in my childhood because of it. As soon as I stop swimming I go under.

My luck growing up surrounded by water

Stearns made a jacket that was actually a PFD, a type IV, IIRC.

They probably still do.

ScottyK once bubbled...
I always at least like to know where they are, and I also keep my wetsuit on top of my gear basket when I'm on a dive boat.

I'm one of those unlucky folks who's negatively buoyant, even in salt water. Had a few close calls in my childhood because of it. As soon as I stop swimming I go under.

My luck growing up surrounded by water

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Must be nice to be lean.

I can float in 3 ft swells with a twelvepack on my chest.

Custer once bubbled...


I don't remotely share your concerns, and consider my scuba gear as my life jacket, but, if you're really worried, get a snorkel vest and wear it when you're not geared up.

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Havn`t you heard, BCDs arn't lifejackets! And anyways, do you wear your gear during the entire boat ride? IMO that would make you look more like a geek than wearing a PFD or Lifejacket I've been working as a lifeguard for almost a decade now and I can tell you for a fact, as soon as my feet touch the boat, kayak, canoe etc... I have my PFD on! As a river rescue specialist, If I'm even near the water (within 5 meters!) I have my gear on (PFD, Helmet etc.). ..and it's not good enough just to have a PFD, it has to fit properly (comfort/size) and should be worn properly. The unlucky chap who falls into the water after slipping and hitting his head on the rail while the boat was taking off will look alot dumber than you while he's heading down to the bottom of the ocean! Plus, thwy have some cool models now...yyyyeeeeepppeeeeee...new gear

divemed06 once bubbled...


Havn`t you heard, BCDs arn't lifejackets! And anyways, do you wear your gear during the entire boat ride?

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No, actually, I hadn't.

And I wear it during the boat ride a whole lot more than I wear life jacket.