PFD Question

A sales rep at Cabelas told me that for a self inflating PFD to count it must be worn, where a traditional vest just has to be accessible. SCDNR regs says no such thing in the overview, but I thought something like this may be buried in the small print. Y'all ever hear of such? :scratchhead

In Mississippi that is the truth. I think Tennessee also.

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Originally Posted by Raucous Rooster

A sales rep at Cabelas told me that for a self inflating PFD to count it must be worn, where a traditional vest just has to be accessible. SCDNR regs says no such thing in the overview, but I thought something like this may be buried in the small print. Y'all ever hear of such? :scratchhead

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That is correct.We had one of the DNR officers speak to our Wildlife Club last month on boating safety and that very question came up. You have to wear it for it to count if that is the only PFD you have on board.
She also told us that a regular PFD "must be readily accessible" if you are not wearing it. She said most officers might just give you a waring if they are all stored in a compartment or below deck. Also kids under a certain age have to be wearing one. She said the only time she wrote a ticked for PFDs not being "readily accessible" is when you have kids on board and all you have are adult PFDs stored in a compartment. Then you are coming off the water, she isn't very tolerable when adults put kids at risk.

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Originally Posted by SeaRay

That is correct.We had one of the DNR officers speak to our Wildlife Club last month on boating safety and that very question came up. You have to wear it for it to count if that is the only PFD you have on board.
She also told us that a regular PFD "must be readily accessible" if you are not wearing it. She said most officers might just give you a waring if they are all stored in a compartment or below deck. Also kids under a certain age have to be wearing one. She said the only time she wrote a ticked for PFDs not being "readily accessible" is when you have kids on board and all you have are adult PFDs stored in a compartment. Then you are coming off the water, she isn't very tolerable when adults put kids at risk.

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Thanks Ray. That's exactly what I needed to know. I have one of each and always wear the inflatable when under power. I hope to take a friend next week so it's good to know one of us will have to wear the inflatable at all times. I'm a big believer in water safety and a bigger believer in compliance with the law.

Has anyone found this in the rules and regulations about the automatic PFD had the be worn to be counted. I have looked and cannot find it.
All I read is that you must have 1 coast guard approved PFD per person.


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I don't see it in the DNR boating regs either. I was going by what the DNR LEO told us.
My question is why would you spend $100+ to buy one comfortable to wear if you have no intention of wearing it. Might as well get one for $15 if you not going to wear it. I know some folks say they wear it when they running the outboard, but I have not been able to determine when I might fall overboard and need it so I wear it all the time.

If my memory isn't tricking me I think the PDF says on it that it's only a PDF if it's worn or something close to that.
A ballon isn't a ballon without air in it

I'm called Columbia DNR and they said the same thing. It only counts as type V while being worn.
I will put 2 regular ones back in the boat and wear the autos while operating the boat. I do not like wearing one the entire time I am fishing.


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the bigger issue is what dumb a... would get on the water without a life jacket. can't coach stupidity:dono

One of our dentist drowned in Murray a few years back while fishing. He was in the cove where he lived. Apparently he slipped while standing on the front deck casting and hit his head when he fell. He was unconscious when he hit the water and drowned. A PFD would likely have saved his life were he wearing one. Ironically, most of the occasions I know of where someone fell overboard, including myself, the boat was not underway. Mine was tied to the dock, of all things, when I went in.
I believe you are least likely to fall overboard when you are underway because you are seated and holding the steering wheel if driving, or a railing if not,

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Originally Posted by SeaRay

One of our dentist drowned in Murray a few years back while fishing. He was in the cove where he lived. Apparently he slipped while standing on the front deck casting and hit his head when he fell. He was unconscious when he hit the water and drowned. A PFD would likely have saved his life were he wearing one. Ironically, most of the occasions I know of where someone fell overboard, including myself, the boat was not underway. Mine was tied to the dock, of all things, when I went in.
I believe you are least likely to fall overboard when you are underway because you are seated and holding the steering wheel if driving, or a railing if not,

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That's the sad reality. A little more safety doesn't take too much time, and your loved ones will love you more if you keep yourself alive.

Bought my wife an inflatable. She was not happy about it until she had worn it for a day. So much more comfortable. Now we both have inflatables and never want to go back. Also, we wear them all the time on the water. We have never fallen in but best to be safe than sorry.

Stumphunter posted a funny video involving inflatable PFDs a while back. A kayaking friend of his had gotten out in shallow water and was bending over in the water to do something. He dipped the vest in the water and it deployed like a rocket taking off. Scared the crap out of him, but it was hilarious to see his reaction.