life-jacket laws are archaic and need to be overhauled

[MRP]

Yes? No?

What’s your policy?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/life-jacket-laws-gord-follett-opinion-1.6521484

For me 90% of the time it’s on, except like duck lk at low water time in Creston you can walk across most of it. But if its my boat and I say put it on, you can put it on or get out. But I mostly use canoes and 12’ aluminum boats.

[Huk]

No. We don’t need more rules/laws because people are getting dumber. Government over reach is already out of control.

if I’m in a boat, it is on. You don’t want to wear it, you don’t get in my boat.

[high horse Hal]

with that guys attitude he would have a crossing guard at any cross-walk just so no one makes a bad choice and walks into traffic
People are able to make decisions for themselves, its a choice
Helmet and seatbelt laws are in place to protect the insurance industry and the health care system, not about people

[warnniklz]

People should not be able to tell other people what they can and can't do with their body... up to and including drowning

[Evanguy]

People should not be able to tell other people what they can and can't do with their body... up to and including drowning

I agree with this for people over 16. But do these people that dont wear them also let their kids not wear them? I would be ok seeing parents getting in trouble for indangering their kids as they dont know the dangers and even more so if the parents think its fine now to wear them.

[Harvest the Land]

Good one Warren - that was funny! And couldn't have said it any better Huk.

Not surprising reading an article from our State Media advocating for more mandatory laws to control our lives. What is with the desire of so many folks in society to want to control other peoples lives and tell them what to do? Its bad enough that our politicians and bureaucrats spend all of their days thinking of what rights they can take away next, or what new taxes or regulations they can impose on us, but when so many of our fellow citizens think the same way, its kind of concerning and EXTREMELY disappointing.

To answer the question - HELL NO life jackets should not be made mandatory. Personally I only wear one when I'm on sketchy waters, like when in my boat on the lower Fraser River because its big, fast, deep and shallow depending on the time of year and tidal influence that day, can't see the hazards below (and there's always new ones appearing), back eddies and undertows everywhere, tide coming in and river flowing out etc - sketchy shit, so ya I'll wear a life jacket then. But if I'm on a calm lake in the middle of summer and nice day, no way I'm wearing one.

Folks should have the wherewithal to assess their own personal swimming abilities and to assess the danger on that given day on the body of water they're about to venture on and make up their own minds

[Edzzed]

When I had a 12 ft tin boat, I wore it all the time. Kids in the boat wore it. Adults, I let them have a choice. We now have a 19 ft boat. I wear it all the time. Kids wear it, Adults have a choice. I am a very good swimmer but I don't need to hit my head on the way out should I fall out. I mean really, What could go wrong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YobMW95xV8Q I also attach the lanyard.

[Treed]

He’s wearing an inflatable life jacket, which you have to wear if that’s your life jacket in the boat. It’s not like the situation with seatbelt laws, which I agree with. You have a car crash and are catastrophically injured, taxpayers will be paying for your medical and care after. If you have an accident while not wearing a life jacket, you are probably not facing injuries but may die. Your choice and the result has a lot less taxpayer liability. Personally, I always wear one. 15 years of river kayaking and not liking swimming has made me very respectful of water. I came close to drowning once in Australia while surfing alone. It’s not a pleasant realization that you are facing possible death because of your own stupidity.

[Spy]

Kids always ! That’s a no brainer. Adults it depends on the conditions out on the water. No we should not have more rules/regulations.

[Downtown]

Good Life Jackets are a good thing.
Before I leave the Dock/Anchorage everybody will know where the Life Jackets are stored and how to use them. Underway Kids under 14 will have to wear one. Kids under 8 will have to wear one regardless if underway or not.

On fast flowing Rivers, wearing a Life Jackets can become a Liability because most don't allow you to swim as fast as without. If you fall into the Water, make extreme efforts to get to shore as quickly as possible because if you allow yourself to get drifted around the next bend, you could end in a Logjam and no Life Jacket will help you then.

Cheers

[wideopenthrottle]

I always have trouble with laws that are only to protect stupid people from their own stupidity....it means stupid people live and breed more stupid people...what if we are in the middle of a calm lake and decide to strip down and go for a cool dip....sorry not allowed to to take the life jacket off...

[gitnadoix]

"On fast flowing Rivers, wearing a Life Jackets can become a Liability because most don't allow you to swim as fast as without. If you fall into the Water, make extreme efforts to get to shore as quickly as possible because if you allow yourself to get drifted around the next bend, you could end in a Logjam and no Life Jacket will help you then."

Well not sure if your speaking from experience, but as one who has spent many 100s if not 1000s of hrs in swiftwater environments this is simply not my experience, it comes down to a bit of training and practice in controlled locations and you will never think that the Life jacket is a liability.

As for the mandatory thing, yea its more of the govt trying to save the dumb, if my boats moving or anchored in a current your in a jacket.

But before I poo poo the whole idea, id like to see the data on how many hrs and resources are spent looking for people in the water not wearing life jackets compared to resources spent looking for people who were in life jackets. If there is a dramatic difference it may save some taxes, and we all pay enough of that now. If its not really any different, there is enough people already .....

[Gateholio]

Some life jacket laws are ridiculous.

You don't need a life jacket on a surf board, but if you add a paddle to your surf board you need one. :)

[Squamch]

I'm a strong swimmer. I don't wear it. My kid isn't a strong swimmer. He wears it. Father in law full on can't swim, he wears one on the dock.

I've heard that most drowned fishermen are found with their pants undone, they fell overboard while pissing. Maybe a law stating you must wear a lift jacket to take a leak would be appropriate. I don't know how it would apply to a female fisherman.

[Iron Glove]

I'm a strong swimmer. I don't wear it. My kid isn't a strong swimmer. He wears it. Father in law full on can't swim, he wears one on the dock.

I've heard that most drowned fishermen are found with their pants undone, they fell overboard while pissing. Maybe a law stating you must wear a lift jacket to take a leak would be appropriate. I don't know how it would apply to a female fisherman.

I used to teach continuing education and such in a Marine related business and would get Guest Speakers from the VPD Marine Squad, Coast Guard, Fisheries and such and they mentioned the "pants, zipper" pissing thing, apparently it's true and always a guy.

[Arctic Lake]

In some conditions people need to be protected from their own demise ! Maybe they just don’t have the cranial capacity to see things for themselves . As far as those people and their kids . The kids need to be protected from their parents poor decisions it’s not the kids fault . Educate the kids before poor decisions become ingrained in them !
If you want to see some poor decisions on the water check out YouTube and Haulover Inlet in Florida , unbelievable !
Arctic Lake

[tigrr]

With the great reset taking place I would have though all life jacket and seat belt laws would be removed.
Must be money in it for the fines for not wearing it.

[lovemywinchester]

On fast flowing Rivers, wearing a Life Jackets can become a Liability because most don't allow you to swim as fast as without.

Cheers


Nothing personal but this is the silliest thing I have read in a long time. Rivers are the one place I would NEVER be in a small boat without a life jacket, especially by myself. Current will get you every time. I live in Kamloops. We have people drown every year that START OFF on shore. Once the current grabs you that's it for most. Panic and flowing water will drag you down them that's it.

I get your point about sweepers though. Always dangerous.

[stoneramhunter]

Nothing personal but this is the silliest thing I have read in a long time. Rivers are the one place I would NEVER be in a small boat without a life jacket, especially by myself. Current will get you every time. I live in Kamloops. We have people drown every year that START OFF on shore. Once the current grabs you that's it for most. Panic and flowing water will drag you down them that's it.

I get your point about sweepers though. Always dangerous.

I agree with you. Mountian rivers can be extremely cold even in august falling in and the shock of the water can quickly overcome you .

[landphil]

I've heard that most drowned fishermen are found with their pants undone, they fell overboard while pissing. Maybe a law stating you must wear a lift jacket to take a leak would be appropriate. I don't know how it would apply to a female fisherman.

That’s what happened to Bob. Don’t be like Bob. Pee in your bailing bucket.

[Surrey Boy]

Anything to punish strength and enable mediocrity . . .