GBA Update Fall 2023

7 www.georgianbay.ca GBA UPDATE Fall 2023 many life jacket-style flotation devices that are not TC or CCG-approved. Water ski vests and many children's floats will not fulfill your life jacket requirements. Stats show almost 90 per cent of people who drown in recreational boating accidents are not wearing a life jacket or PFD. Even if you have one on board, conditions like rough winds, waves, and cold water can make it very hard, if not impossible, to find it and put it on in an emergency. Wearing your life jacket or PFD on the water could save your life! Take time to find a style of life jacket that is comfortable to wear, fits properly and suits your needs. Choosing a lifejacket or PFD Life jackets provide more buoyancy than most PFDs and can keep a person afloat and turned onto their backs to facilitate breathing, even if the wearer is disabled or unconscious. Life jackets come only in red, orange, and yellow to be more visible in water. There are three Canadian-approved types: 1. Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) life jackets meet very high performance standards and are approved for all vessels. They come in two sizes — over 32 kg (70 lbs) or less than 32 kg and are available in comfortable and compact inflatable styles that can be automatically, manually, or orally inflated. 2. Standard-type life jackets are approved for all recreational vessels. They come in two sizes — over 40 kg (88 lbs) or less than 40 kg. 3. Small Vessel life jackets are less buoyant than standard type life jackets and will turn you on to your back, but may do so more slowly. They come in keyhole and vest styles in three sizes. For more information on selecting life jackets, check out Wear a Life Jacket (http://www.wearalifejacket.com). PFDs come in many styles, sizes, and colours, so choose a PFD based on your needs and your activity. If you are operating at high speeds, look for a PFD with three or more chest belts for security. If you are operating in cold water (less than 15°C), choose a PFD with thermal protection. Not all PFDs are brightly coloured, but it is a good idea to choose one that will enhance your visibility when in water. If you choose an inflatable PFD, ensure they are approved for your chosen activities. Under the Small Vessel Regulations, inflatable PFDs are prohibited for operators of personal watercraft and people who are under 16 years of age, or who weigh under 36.3 kg (80 lbs). Inflatable PFDs come in two styles: vest or pouch. All Canadian-approved inflatable PFDs have an oral inflation tube in case the CO2 inflation mechanism fails. If you are struggling to stay afloat, using this tube could be challenging. An emergency is not the time to try out a new device. Carefully read the manual for your PFD, test it, and ensure you know how to use it. 1. Vest types inflate automatically or are inflated orally or manually with a CO2 system. 2. Pouch types can be orally inflated or manually inflated by pulling a toggle to activate CO2 inflation. There are pros and cons to choosing a PFD over a life jacket. A PFD may be more comfortable because they are often less bulky as they are designed for constant wear and specific sports activities. However, PFDs are usually less buoyant than life jackets, may offer less thermal protection, and have limited capability to turn you in the water. Inflatable PFDs must also be used and maintained correctly to work. Whatever you choose, the best protection you can give yourself on the water is always to wear your life jacket or your PFD! 1 2 3 before after

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