Thread: Indian Creek 4/26 and a eye opener about PFD's

Sometimes what you don't believe to be true can get you in trouble....Check with your State DOT for the trailer regulations. I do know that its true in MS.....Also in MS and boat under 15 ft. you have to wear a pfd at all times on the COE lakes only....Over that length you can take them off when you turn the big motor off.

I have the coiled cables on my trailer instead of chains. Crossing them or not makes no difference if the trailer comes off the hitch since they will stretch either way.

Thanks for the heads up on the inflatable PFDs. I started wearing one this year and mine DID say that it had to be worn AT ALL TIMES to be considered a life vest, said so right in the directions of the pfd. Danny, mine is a manual/automatic so if mine was to inflate, all I would have to do is to roll it back up and velcro it back together and I could still wear it legally and it would just be a manual pfd. I have also heard the rule about crossing the chains on the trailer, whether it is a law or not, it is a good idea. IMO.

From the USCG site.....

Will the approved inflatable PFD satisfy the USCG carriage requirement?

Only if the user complies with the approval conditions will the carriage requirement be met. Unlike the inherently buoyant wearable PFDs, which must be readily available, an inflatable PFD must be worn to meet the carriage requirement.

Boats 16' and longer need a throwable on board too. Crossing chain is not law in LA but is a good idea. If your chains are to long you can twist them to make em shorter or tie em up.

Linda and I both wear inflatables 100% of the time when in the boat. I also have a recharge kit in case one gets inflated while on the water. I had that happen once, I guess the humidity finally did the trigger in, bamm or should I say Hisssssssss, that thing was full blown in about 3 seconds. In that case I rode home legally because I also had a class 1 in the boat.

Another tip. DO NOT WEAR A PIECE OF CLOTHING OVER YOUR INFLATABLE, A SHIRT, JACKET, OR RAIN COAT. IF IT INFLATE UNDER THEM THE PRESSURE COULD COLLAPSE YOUR CHEST OR KEEP YOU FROM BREATHING AND SMOTHER YOU.

Thanks everyone for the tips, it's good to watch out for each other.
"gene"

Originally Posted by PawPaw "gene"

Another tip. DO NOT WEAR A PIECE OF CLOTHING OVER YOUR INFLATABLE, A SHIRT, JACKET, OR RAIN COAT. IF IT INFLATE UNDER THEM THE PRESSURE COULD COLLAPSE YOUR CHEST OR KEEP YOU FROM BREATHING AND SMOTHER YOU.

That's plum scary.I wear the vest type. The pockets are where most of my tackle is and I don't have to wonder if that tech-no-gizmo will puff up should I take the plunge again.

Jig Rig took the words out of my mouth......twist chains to tighten to desired length.....I have cables on my trailer

Originally Posted by shadow

Thanks for the heads up on the inflatable PFDs. I started wearing one this year and mine DID say that it had to be worn AT ALL TIMES to be considered a life vest, said so right in the directions of the pfd. Danny, mine is a manual/automatic so if mine was to inflate, all I would have to do is to roll it back up and velcro it back together and I could still wear it legally and it would just be a manual pfd. I have also heard the rule about crossing the chains on the trailer, whether it is a law or not, it is a good idea. IMO.

Dwyane, I think mine has a place to manually blow it up also. It deployed once in the boat and I just put a new charger kit on it. I keep one in the boat. As far as the chains go. I have cables on my boat trailer and chains on my 6 x 10 utility trailer.They have the clips on the ends to keep them from coming off the vehicle. I have been in a vehicle when a boat trailer came off and broke the chains I think. I was young then, but pretty sure it had chains.Not as good as the heavy chains used now. My dad had to slam on the brakes to avoid a truck running a light in Berwick. I remember it had a long pipe tongue and was home built. It swung around the passenger side then swung through the open passenger window, just missing my brother's head. That could have been a life changer.