Re: [Cal_Boats] Re: PFDs

TYPE V Life Jackets (the USCG is getting away from the term "PFD" in favor of one that suggests a bit more strongly the reason for wearing, LIFE Jacket, or better yet, LIFE PRESERVER) are the type that the USCG considers approved only if you are wearing it. Makes sense, after all I really think the push for approved inflatables was that they are comfortable enough that people are more likely the actually wear them all the time. Like seat belts and parachutes, Life Jackets only work if you wear them. Rod Johnson, "NODROG" 1970 CAL 21, #285 On Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:32:33 -0400 Chris Campbell <cl… [at] charterinternet.com> writes: ti… [at] ch2m.com wrote: I think inflatable's are only coast guard approved, when inflated. So if they fail.. they're not approved. Sounds like a perfect bureaucratic solution. It would work as well for regular PFDs. "If it holds you up, then it's approved. If you die, then it wasn't." To their credit, the CG has always seemed more decisive than that. I do seem to recall one kind of PFD was considered approved only if you were wearing it, and maybe it was the inflatable? The idea was, I guess, that it didn't count toward the vessel's required number unless you had it on. Chris Campbell