Life jackets save lives
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I am a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCG-Aux). Our mission is to promote recreational boating safety.
I read the May 19 Missoulian article “His Guardian Angler” with interest. It tells how in 2011, one fisherman and his buddy saved two brothers from drowning when their small 14-foot open boat capsized in unexpected winds and they were dumped into 38-degree water.
In a recounting of their experience they said, “It all happened in as little as 60 seconds… A mile offshore… it happened so fast that we didn’t have time to put on our life jackets.” The article went on to say how the rescuers and rescued were vying for first place for the number of fish caught for Mack Days.
The accompanying photos for the article were disconcerting as they showed a lack of life jackets currently being worn by the rescued fishermen. After their near-death experience they could’ve been good role models, set a great example, and delivered an important safety message. However the photographs actually demonstrate the wrong message: it is not necessary to wear a life jacket.
The article went on to explain that just before the boaters entered the water they were able to make a quick cell phone call saying they were capsized in Woods Bay. They definitely had a guardian angel looking over them as they were rescued in what turned out to be a boating accident best-case scenario.
The rescuing fisherman nearby became aware that fellow boaters were in dire trouble and needed help. As the windstorm raged and conditions deteriorated they re-launched their boats and went in search of the capsized vessel. Fortunately the exhausted fishermen were rescued 30 minutes after entering the water, barely clinging to their overturned boat. In their own words they had perhaps 10 minutes of energy left. If they hadn’t been rescued they would’ve been another statistic. They would have joined all those boaters who drowned without wearing a life jacket.
The USCG-Aux stresses the wearing of life jackets at all times for recreational boating safety. “Life Jackets Save Lives” is a major public message. The USCG-Aux also encourages the increased use of VHF marine band radios in place of cell phones as radios don’t have dead spots and most of today’s waterproof hand-held radios float. Almost every boating accident imaginable has a predictable outcome - you are in the water fighting for your life. Unless you are wearing a life jacket, your survival chances are marginal.
The best-case scenario in an immersion incident would be falling overboard without sustaining injury and being quickly recovered by a person remaining in the boat or nearby boater. Surviving a boating accident whereby a person is ejected into the water without a life jacket totally depends upon a quick rescue.
The USCG-Aux provides some chilling facts regarding life jackets:
1. Capsizing and falls overboard are the most reported types of fatal accidents, comprising 59 percent of all boating fatalities.
2. Nine of 10 drowning victims may have survived a capsizing or a fall overboard if they’d been wearing a lifejacket. Think of this another way: Without a life jacket how long can you tread water waiting for rescue while wearing soaked clothes, jacket and shoes? What if you were injured?
3. You cannot prevent an accident by your boating skill or experience alone. Boaters with more than 100 hours boating experience who are 36 years or older and don’t have formal boating safety education are responsible for most of the boating accidents and fatalities.
The Coast Guard teaches the “1-10-1 rule.” This rule relates to the first minute, the next 10 minutes and then one hour a person is in cold water. Basically in water 55 degrees or less a person has one minute of shock and panic. Data shows that 20 percent of victims die in that first minute from gasping and drowning or the onset of a heart attack. Then you have 10 minutes in which to get squared away. Over that time you will lose effective use of your fingers, arms and legs for any meaningful movement. You have one hour in which to be rescued before cold water and hypothermia starts to cease bodily functions and the onset of unconsciousness.
According to a study by the Boat U.S. Foundation, “The number one reason for not wearing a life jacket was lack of comfort. Anglers believe that life jackets are too hot, bulky and uncomfortable limiting their mobility.” A second, common excuse given is one we carry from childhood, “I don’t want to, and I don’t have to, it’s my choice. I am a safe boater.” A third reason for not wearing a life jacket is faith in swimming ability. This fatal mistake has led to many deaths.
The comfort/mobility argument doesn’t hold water. Manufacturers have made major advancements in replacing bulky life jackets with lightweight ones that won’t interfere with casting motions and boating activities. Mesh style jackets with open shoulders and trimmed down foam components are relatively inexpensive and less bulky than traditional ones of the past. Their cost is $35 to $60.
This study also stated three reasons anglers gave for wearing a life jacket: A near-death drowning experience by the angler or a family member; the need to be a positive role model for children; and the security of wearing a life jacket.
There is no good reason not to wear a lifejacket on the water.
Life jackets are the solution to the majority of boating fatalities. Besides flotation, life jackets allow you to keep your head out of the water in those first chaotic moments, enable you to assist others in the water, enable you to grab onto the boat before it drifts away, makes it easier to be seen in a colorful jacket by other boaters or rescue personnel, and it gives you a better chance to survive the gasp reflex and cold shock. Life jackets also extend your survival time with extra insulation that decreases the deadly effects of heat loss.
A lifejacket is like a seatbelt or a helmet. It is too late to get it on when the accident is happening. The critical moments are when you first get in the water. Unworn life jackets are the first things to drift away when a boat capsizes. They are also the first things found by search and recovery personnel usually far from where the victim is submerged.
All boaters, individual users, professional fishermen and guides, high profile anglers can demonstrate responsible actions by wearing life jackets as role models and opinion leaders. In addition, tournament organizers should stress the proper use and wearing of life jackets. They can lead the way in advancing this lifesaving message. These organizations, including Mack days, can require all participants to not only have, but also wear their life jackets both when motoring and fishing. Doing so by everyone on the water will reinforce the message, “Life Jackets Save Lives!”
Chris Roberts is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and South Flathead Yacht Club, a Sea Scout Skipper, sailing instructor, and past member of Camp Melita Island boating staff.
