USCG approved or not?
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Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: Ski, Ride and Foot Talk
Forum Discription: Share photos, techniques, discuss equipment, etc.
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24090
Printed Date: November-15-2024 at 3:09pm
Topic: USCG approved or not?
Posted By: Jllogan
Subject: USCG approved or not?
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 11:42am
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Hey,
I was wondering if any of you guys ride with a non uscg approved vest on a public lake. Will they cite you for that? Anyone have any experience in this area. I am looking at getting one but I usually ride in state parks so I didnt know if they would give you a ticket or if they even know or check for that? Thanks ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001 |
Replies:
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 12:13pm
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They will write you up. I ride without but we are always with our ski team so our DNR troops know to stay away cuz they know we know what we're doing...
That being said...we are still illegal. A buddy of mine was out on his own with some friends on a public lake here in IA and they wrote him up for wearing a non USCGA vest while wakeboarding. There are some AWESOME USCGA's out there now a days that offer just as much maneuverability as a non approved one. Check em out! ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
Posted By: MattB
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 12:41pm
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Do the non USCGA vests really provide enough buoyancy to keep you afloat if you are knocked out with the air out of your lungs? They might look cool but are they worth the risk and as said above there are some awesome approved vests so why look elsewhere, especially if you will get a ticket for it. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=6102" rel="nofollow - 2001 http://uksn2001.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - SN2001 Blog |
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 12:43pm
Nope, you will most definitely drown. Especially if your board is still on your feet. I don't let my wife ride with a non approved vest cuz she isn't the best swimmer in the world. When I'm lazy I ride with an approved one just so I don't have to work as hard after a fall... ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
MattB wrote:Posted By: Tom351
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 1:00pm
Some will float you and some will not- There is a story on the web of a wakeboarder who sank after getting knocked out and was found by divers a few hours later and still wearing his JetPilot A10 comp vest. (NON CGA) I ski in an Oneill Outlaw vest which is NON CGA as well, but it will float me- I have tested it by exhaling and trying to dive- it pulls me back up to the surface when I try this- but it does not float me as high on the surface as a CGA vest (if I exhale and hold my hands straight up I sink to about chin level). The bottom line is that the amount of floatation required for a vest to be CGA approved is probably overkill (as it should be) so a Non-CGA approved vest that is "anywhere close" to the approved level would be fine and more comfortable... but there is no easy way to tell it from a vest that is not even close to providing adequate floatation without testing them yourself. |
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 1:02pm
Yup good stuff Tom, I ride in a Jet Pilot A-10 for the most part. They are like wearing a cool looking T-shirt  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 1:03pm
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ya but basically it isnt worth it if you are going to get a ticket. I know there are some nice cga vests but the selection is limited. I had found a good deal on a non cga but I think I will keep looking for now. ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001 |
Posted By: Tom351
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 1:06pm
That is a good description! It looks more like a bulletproof or impact vest than anything designed for floatation. |
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 1:10pm
 ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 1:15pm
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I've been knocked unconscious twice over the years, not fun. Both times while I was barefooting, not sure if a barefoot suit is even approved but it floated me both time face up which may have just been luck. I was only out for seconds each time but it doesn't take long to suck in some water if you get knocked for a loop and don't have proper floatation, be safe.
Once you get knocked silly you will know what I mean and throw the non approved vest in the trash. ------------- You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails |
Posted By: MattB
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 1:18pm
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Don't forget a little consideration for the guys you are riding with.....they are the ones that are going to try and find you at the bottom of a lake and try to pull you out.
One of the guys we ride with took a very nasty back edge and sank...luckily he wasn't knocked out otherwise he would have stayed at the bottom of the lake. Scary stuff for all of us in the boat at the time, the video replay afterwards was great with a beer though. I would agree that perhaps some are overkill but how do you test a vest for its buoyancy without removing ALL of the air from your lungs and jumping in a lake? ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=6102" rel="nofollow - 2001 http://uksn2001.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - SN2001 Blog |
Posted By: Tom351
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 1:48pm
Exactly- you can only really test post-purchase. I tested just by exhaling fully and then trying to dive- In my Oneill Outlaw I could get down a couple of feet, but only while actively "swimming down"- as soon as I relaxed it pulled me to the surface, but a lot slower than my CGA vest would pull me up. Jumping or diving in after an exhale would probably be a better test though. |
Posted By: Morfoot
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 2:23pm
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I too ride both slalom ski and wakeboard with a A-10 vest and love riding with it. It does just barely keep my head above water so I guess it's a risk that I'm willing to take. In Georgia you must have some sort of floatation on while skiing, boarding, and etc, and that includes Ski-belts which are still allowed and I know that they are NOT CG approved.
It's no different than driving a boat w/o a life jacket on or kill switch as I have never seen anyone here use either while in the drivers seat. Could you hit something and get tossed overboard? Yes, but there again it's something that I'm willing to risk. Bottom line is check the boating laws in which you live in or visit and see what they require. I do keep a CCA vest for everyone in the boat including myself even if I am wearing the non approved one. I've been using one for about 15 years and have not been stopped yet. If you don't draw attention to yourself by doing something stupid then they really have no reason to pull you over. just my 2 cents. ------------- "Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman" |
Posted By: kapla
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 2:35pm
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not only they need to float you but also keep your face out of the water...
I was knocked unconcious while attempting a scarecrow on wakeboard, I was wearing a outlaw vest. I woke up at the marina while in the ambulance! i was knocked, and kept afloat with head in the water, guys in the boat saw the bad fall and quickly turned the boat to rescue me. Problem with a our muddy waters, if you go down...probably they will rescue you days after when your body comes afloat due to rot! I was almost mumbling all the way back to the marina (15 minutes) they really got scared. I did also! Didn´t learn though..kept using the outlaw vest. I now have a JP The Baller..but even been a m size its little big...and I´m not sure its approved either. ------------- <a href="">1992 ski nautique |
Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 2:37pm
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anyone have any recommendations for CGA vests that are easy to move in? ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001 |
Posted By: C-Bass
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 3:10pm
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I always wear CGA vest, and have never said to myself, "man the only thing keeping me from doing _______(fill in the blank) is this vest". More uncomfortable than not wearing one...sure, but I don't really consider it that much of a downside. ------------- Craig 67 SN 73 SN http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=6103" rel="nofollow - 99 Sport 85SN |
Posted By: Tom351
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 3:20pm
Even a CGA approved vest may not float you with your face out of the water- Ski Vests have a "Type3" USCG Classification which does not require the vest to float you on your back- A "Type1" USCG is the only classification that requires a floatation device to float you on your back (face up), but a Type 1 is the generic orange (maybe camo) floatation device that goes around your neck and in front of your chest- there are no Type1 vests that I know of. |
Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 3:32pm
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I'm glad most (but not all) of the opinions here are toward safety. Some of those non-CGA vests are a joke. I think their only purpose is to make it look like you are wearing a vest so Barney won't bug you. I think I would put safety ahead of is it legal or not. But thats just me. WE ski boat owners/skiers like to brag that we are probably teh most safety conscious people out on the water, which I think is, for the most part true, but our time on the water and experience really isnt an excuse to cut corners. We should be setting the example. (tho I do certainly understand the "show skiers" exemptions.) ------------- _____________ “So, how was your weekend?” “Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.” |
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 3:36pm
Friend of mine got http://www.amazon.com/Hyperlite-Hatch-Side-Entry-Vest/dp/B004CZ3Z56/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1320773671&sr=8-2 - this one , it's pretty nice.
 ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
Posted By: kapla
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 3:52pm
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non or approved, is better than wearing nothing...and yes its very important to have a responsible crew, driver and spotter. Its useless to have the correct CGA vest, get knocked, face in the water..party in the boat..drinks..oopss, take more time than usual to turn around and those second are the difference...
------------- <a href="">1992 ski nautique |
Posted By: Tom351
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 3:55pm
Agreed 100% |
Posted By: Morfoot
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 4:17pm
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I may not wear a CCA vest but at 44 years of age I'm not taking too many risks. Yes, ANYTHING can happen but I'm not out trying to throw the latest and greatest inverts or whatever. I'm a free ride slalom skier as there isn't a course any where around so I see even a lesser chance of doing myself harm. Sure, I cannot forsee an accident in the future where I'm knocked out because the ski hit me in the head on a fall and I drown anymore than I can't see that submerged stump in the water and getting tossed into the water and the same result happens.
I've been with ALLOT of the members here in their boats or driving mine beside them. I've never seen a single one wearing a life vest. Do I trust them. YES! or else I wouldn't hang out with them. To me I don't see allot of difference and have never witnessed ANY of of members not operating a boat in an unsafe manner. I have no quirks or qualms about tossing any one of the regulars here the keys to 'Miss Scarlett' and I know the same applies to me for them. ------------- "Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman" |
Posted By: TX Foilhead
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 4:20pm
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Here in TX the law says you need an approve vest for everyone in the boat. The rope is considered part of the boat so you don't have to where it. Tried that once, first slap on the water almost boated me so I put the vest back on. When we go to OK they'll nail you for being without an approved vest if you're holding the rope. Learned this from Ryan (SN206) who has some interesting ways to get around this with a barefoot suit.
I currently use a non approved vest that I got for my drysuit and decided I liked it year round. I do wear quite a bit more gear than most and it's all strapped on so I have some extra flotation from that. The hydrofoil also rights itself and the helmet keeps my head afloat. So check your state for the answer and then think about it thoroughly before you decide what to wear. I'm leaning twords moving to a kayak/whitewater type vest next time I buy one. My biggest issue is the approved vests go down below my beltline so sitting on the foil they creep up as you ride. I'm thinking one designed with that in mind would work if there isn't too much flotation under my arms that gets in the way. |
Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 4:40pm
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I feel like my barefuit suit give me alot of floatation maybe not as much as a life jacket but lets just say I have done a scorpion deep into the water and got the wind knocked out of me and I floated back up. ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001 |
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 4:42pm
buahaha classic! Join the club! ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 5:40pm
I was just floating suspended underwater in pain, thinking I must be near the bottom, then I felt my suit pulling me up and I in a few seconds I was at the surface. I cant say it would have flipped me over but I definitely would float me. I obviously didnt have air in my lungs either. ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001 |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 6:04pm
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Wisconsin says you have to have one in the boat, but the local ordinance requires you to wear it. Most of the molded vests won't float you w/o air.
Your body composition has a lot to do with your buoyancy as well. I float in a 7mm diving suit. ------------- |
Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 7:03pm
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You can jump on me and correct but at one time the requirement was to not turn a wearer face down in the water. If your so cool that you wear a vest that doesn't float you why even bother? It's just like a helmet, If your going to wear a non DOT salad bowl why bother even strapping it on. It is pretty useless.
In tournament and show conditions there is usually a safety boat and crew that can get help to you faster than the towboat. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Tom351
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 7:28pm
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[QUOTE=harddock] You can jump on me and correct but at one time the requirement was to not turn a wearer face down in the water. [QUOTE]
That is true for a "life jacket" as they fall under "Type 1" but ski vests are "Type 3" http://www.pfdma.org/choosing/types.aspx - http://www.pfdma.org/choosing/types.aspx Not sure though if DNR or other "lake police" technically should require a "Type 1" for every occupant in the boat, but I would imagine that it would be a good idea in larger bodies of water where a rescue could take hours or days. I often use a Non-CGA vest, but like I said, I have tested it and feel comfortable that it would float me- there are other Non-CGA vests that I would not use (Like the JetPilot A10) because it is not "Tom Approved" because it has virtually no floatation...and the fact that it is made for Jet Skiers makes me totally hate it! |
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 7:30pm
Are you serious or being silly? The A-10 is made for wakeboarding...not jet skiers... ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
Posted By: Tom351
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 7:35pm
kinda joking- was more poking fun at the "Jet Pilot" name- In my head it is "Jet Ski Pilot"...but I realize that it really means more than just that. |
Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 7:38pm
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Well, its not so much looking cool as it is comfort. I mean, usually the smaller vests are easier to move in etc. I still want to float or I would just wear a rash guard. Also there is becoming a vast selection of non uscg approved vests. In fact it seems anymore is almost 50/50 depending on where you shop. So I was more curious if there really was a big difference. Thought maybe it was like getting a food to be kosher, just need their blessing. ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001 |
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 7:38pm
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Whew...thought you were kidding but just had to be sure ;)
I recommend the A-10 to all of the guys in show skiing. Almost all of us use them in practices and shows. Barefoot suits used to be the norm but for a 4 hr practice they get annoying. The pilot isn't bulky and allows the climbers to fit in front of us/on our shoulders with ease. Keynote: we always have pickup boats and very competent observers keeping an eye on our skiers. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 7:38pm
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The first pull-over type vests I noticed were nylon Slippery When Wet and made for the jet ski racing crowd.
You must wear it properly! 
I just love it when a girl takes off her vest and a nip is out. ------------- |
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 7:44pm
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Those vests are unsafe, they should not be wearing them. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
Posted By: mdvalant
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 7:46pm
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Some in our boat choose to wear the non traditional front bobber vest. I tend to prefer these over the other.
IMAGE deleted so this thread is SFW. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5009 - '90 Ski (sold) http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5479 - '00 Sport Mississippi River - Bellevue, IA |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 7:47pm
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calendar ^^ ------------- |
Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 7:53pm
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+1 ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001 |
Posted By: Tom351
Date Posted: November-08-2011 at 8:07pm
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+1 on the calendar
After seeing this: 
It would be interesting to get out some weights and compare my Oneill Assault (CGA) to Outlaw (Non-CGA) in floatation- My guess is that the CGA vest is around 20lbs and the Non-CGA is around 8-10lbs. And MD- I think you make a good case for using the A10 in your situation- there is a big difference between tournaments or show skiing (or people with that much experience going wakeboarding/skiing together) compared to the average person wakeboarding in an A10 with an inexperienced friend driving the boat. |
Posted By: MattB
Date Posted: November-09-2011 at 8:30am
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This site is not the normal internet forum for boat owners as most of you guys are older and more experienced than a lot of the people posting on forums out there. We will all have (should have) enough experience to know what can happen and how to mitigate risks. If you feel comfortable in a non approved vest and KNOW it will float you in an emergency then go with it, if it wont float you then you are putting your life in the hands and hopefully quick thinking of the guys/girls you are riding with.
Oh and don't forget the difference a wetsuit can make to buoyancy, last time I was diving I had to carry an extra 14kg of weights to get the correct buoyancy due to the 12mm of wetsuits. If a comp vest floats you whilst wearing a 3mm will it do the save if you are just trunking it? That image isn't very `office` friendly  I will need to have a second look at this thread later.------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=6102" rel="nofollow - 2001 http://uksn2001.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - SN2001 Blog |
Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: November-09-2011 at 11:27am
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Yes, I think the problem is that the information that is readily available on vests while buying them is that it is either cga or non cga. There really is no buoyancy ratings or at least its harder to find. So you dont really know what you are getting until you get it. I have seen some vests like the A-10 which look like they provide little flotation while other non CGA vests definitely look bulkier, I am sure there are many differences. Problem is you dont know until you are in the water. ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001 |
Posted By: Tom351
Date Posted: November-09-2011 at 11:41am
Exactly- this is the only comparison test that I have been able to find: http://www.boatus.com/foundation/findings/50/page6.asp - http://www.boatus.com/foundation/findings/50/page6.asp |
Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: November-09-2011 at 1:01pm
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something that I have found that works, is that if your vest is a little loose, cumbersome and bulky, if you gain 15-20 pounds, it fits real snug. ------------- _____________ “So, how was your weekend?” “Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.” |
Posted By: DieselCash
Date Posted: November-09-2011 at 1:41pm
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It may just be me and my bad luck but, I prefer a USCG vest. Because if something bad is ever going to happen, it will be me. Being alive is 100% better than ever being dead. ------------- 1992 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: Bri892001
Date Posted: November-09-2011 at 1:48pm
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I have a %20http://mmwatersports.com/images/vests/hyperlite/2011/hyperlite_indy_blue_vest_2011.jpg - Hyperlite Indy.
The year I have is a little less bulky/cleaner looking than this one, but close to the same look. It's USCGA and not very bulky. I know from lifeguard classes that I sink like a rock with lungs empty and not paddling... to the point where people never wanted to pair up with me for rescue drills. So I probably wouldn't mess with non USCGA. |
Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: November-09-2011 at 1:59pm
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http://mmwatersports.com/images/vests/hyperlite/2011/hyperlite_indy_blue_vest_2011.jpg - Fixed link
Im a floater, always have been, probably always will ------------- http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001 |
Posted By: M3Fan
Date Posted: November-10-2011 at 6:40pm
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I just switched from the "most comfortable", slimmest, most flexible USCG vest I've ever found to an Eagle Comp Vest.
It floats me but definitely not to the same height/degree as the USCG equivalent. It's not one of those super-thin ones- it has some meat to it. To me it seems like a good compromise. However, the performance difference, weight difference, comfort level, etc. is NIGHT AND DAY. It's running the slalom course with at least 10 less pounds of wet foam on my upper body. So, everything is a risk. Getting on the ski is a risk. Boating is a risk. Will I make every set of this sport less pleasant, to a considerable degree in comparison, for the difference in buoyancy in the off chance that I fall in a certain exact way where the delta from one vest to another might be the ultimate reason I die (out of the 5000 other factors contributing to the death)? Right now probably not. If the comp vest wasn't such a big difference then it would be an easier decision to make. Next year I'll try to do some tests out of curiosity. ------------- 2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel 2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
Posted By: 05 210
Date Posted: November-16-2011 at 10:57pm
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I dont ski so I have no experience with those types of crashes. I had a bad day two years ago on a wakeboard though. It was late in the day and I was kind of beat from riding and being out in the sun all day. We were riding in a nice flat cove on my lake and when the driver turned at the end I decided it would be a good time to cut out hard for a nice powerslide.....done it hundreds of times. Got going about mach 2 and got into the slide, got lazy and stood up. Caught a back edge and hit the water so hard backwards that the lens on my watch broke. I had a USCG approved vest on and did not get knocked out. However, I was under water completely inverted with the board still on my feet. Body tingling, staring up at the sunlight hitting the surface of the water, unable to move any part of my body. As I slowly passed the folcrum and started to float up my buds were out of the boat and swimming towards me. As I reached the surface they were surpised that i was still concious. They had to take my board off and physically put me in the boat. It took me almost two weeks to recover from that crash. Last year I was reading an article Wakeboarding Magazine and Chad Sharpe was writing about the importance of proper floatation. He is a world class rider and experienced the exact same crash that I did and said he has never been that scared in his life. Until you have been stuck underwater, helpless, and concious enough to understand whats happening, but not be able to help yourself will you understand the importance of proper floatation. And I actually had it on. Imagine that same scenario while wearing a comp vest and being spotted by some dudes with a few beers in them that didnt realize you fell till they got 1/2 way across the lake. I'm all set with that. All it takes is a few seconds and it's over. Comp vests are for competitions.
Mike ------------- http:/diaries/details.asp?ID=2219" rel="nofollow - Air Nautique 210 Team 640 hours, not 1 regret |
Posted By: Bri892001
Date Posted: November-17-2011 at 12:38pm
| There's a guy on my lake who's a pretty serious wakeboarder, who wear's a helmet as well as a life jacket. He was doing some sort of trick one time, and somehow managed to catch himself in the back of the head with his own wakeboard. I'm actually not sure if the board was still attached to his feet or what, but it resulted in a bunch of stitches. He started wearing the helmet after that. |
Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: November-17-2011 at 12:42pm
Maybe I should think about that. I drew blood from a minor head wound from contact with my slalom ski after a pretty good tumble last summer. You just never know. ------------- _____________ “So, how was your weekend?” “Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.” |
Posted By: Bri892001
Date Posted: November-17-2011 at 1:01pm
| I used to worry about that with the kneeboard too. You can face plant and the board will come right off and still have quite a bit of momentum behind it. I'd usually keep my head down for a second or two after a hard fall. |
Posted By: Fl Inboards
Date Posted: November-17-2011 at 1:12pm
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I utilize either a Straight Line or Eagle Non CG approved vest, However in my world very few serious skiers utilize CG approved vest as they ski on private lakes.
Having read many regulations, State and Municipal laws concerning the use of approved flotation it would be in every ones best interest to know what the law's and regs are in their area. Having been beat up pretty good from time to time taking digger's at 34 and 36 mph I have only had to be plucked out of the water seeing tweety's and Stars once. but when I do fall hard and Float up from it I all way's put my hand up in front of my face. I came up about 15 years ago and as I turned around to look for the boat the ski that had blown off my feet hit me right on the bridge of my nose! ouch! Blood and more tweety's and stars! ------------- Hobby Boats can be expensive when the hobbyist is limited on their own skill and expertise. 1993 Shamrock "fat" 20. 2008 Nautique 196 5.0 |
Posted By: MattB
Date Posted: November-17-2011 at 1:25pm
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Even if you do bash your head at least an approved vest (or vest with sufficient buoyancy for you) will keep you afloat so that you can get rescued. The helmet or no helmet argument is very very subjective and down to personal preference. I wore a helmet for a couple of years due to a ear problems but don't wear one anymore unless I am doing obstacles. But its personal preference, I don't think the two issues can or should be put together in the same way.
One of the devices will save your life and there is an enormous amount of evidence to support this, the other safety device will at best stop you from needing stitches, all the other evidence about helmets is very subjective. Try and prove me wrong about a helmet but I still won't go back to wearing one unless I am riding over obstacles, there is no way you will get me into the water without a good impact vest with good buoyancy though. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=6102" rel="nofollow - 2001 http://uksn2001.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - SN2001 Blog |
Posted By: IAughtNaut
Date Posted: November-17-2011 at 1:30pm
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I must be falling wrong...
Jody, you've only seen those cool little flashy stars once? It seems like that happens about every other time out for me. Somebody told me once that was an indicator of a concussion, anybody know if that's true? And Mike, I probably had a half-dozen times this summer where I ended up with my board on top of the water and my body straight down underneath with no idea which way was up. I actually kindof enjoy those, because I can hang there weightless for a few seconds (which feels like an hour), let my body go limp, and know my vest will eventually pull me back up. Ya'll can do whatever you want, you're grown adults, but with the beating I take, I'll never not have a CG approved vest. ------------- bring the ruckus http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5347" rel="nofollow - 2000 Pro Air |
Posted By: Morfoot
Date Posted: November-17-2011 at 2:16pm
+2 on that. Same thing but with a kneeboard in my experience. ------------- "Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman" |
Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: November-17-2011 at 2:32pm
conscious or unconscious both scary as hell. My wife took a backwards headslam on a powerslide this past August. That was one nasty fall and her bell rung the rest of the day not to mention twisting a knee. Major mental set back as well. ------------- You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails |
Posted By: watrski
Date Posted: November-17-2011 at 2:58pm
I always wear my USGC approved vest when skiing.
The problem with USCG vests is the $$ it takes to get them certified. Just because they don't have the certification doesn't mean they will not work. |
Posted By: 05 210
Date Posted: November-17-2011 at 5:13pm
75Tique and Quinner both rock those when they're on the water. I think that there are inherent risks involved in everything nowadays so I do what I can to be safe that's all. I will never be good enough at watersports at this point in my life to justify the necessary gains from a comp vest. If others can honestly say that the next advancement in their skills would come from a smaller less restrictive vest than so be it. I think the thing that alot of people realize when they start to get older is that it is no longer just about you, its about the wife, the kids, the mortgage, the business, etc. FWIW I dont feel like a person skiing in a comp vest on a private controlled lake is the same comparison as someone out on a larger body of public water, but thats just me. Mike ------------- http:/diaries/details.asp?ID=2219" rel="nofollow - Air Nautique 210 Team 640 hours, not 1 regret |
Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: November-17-2011 at 6:05pm
Sad but so True, especially the way things have been the last couple of years. I've had to get back into the manufacturing side of my business, if I got hurt to where I couldn't do physical labor I would be in a world of hurt. Even a hard weekend skiing with no injuries slows me down at work for a couple of days and the whole business suffers from it.  Responsibility and reality can really suck.  ------------- You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: November-18-2011 at 8:35pm
9 out of 10 Veteran skiers prefer the older vests lol,  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: November-21-2011 at 12:19pm
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Is that a double handle? ------------- |
Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: November-27-2011 at 1:42pm
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I don't agree with the comparison of boat driver not wearing a vest or kill lanyard with skier not wearing a vest that will float them unconcious. I've worn a lanyard in certain conditions in certain boats, and I wear a vest when I'm boating in cold water alone. Those are different risk level situations. Regular summer ski boat driving is WAY lower risk than skiing or boarding, I haven't been tossed from the boat by many stumps over the years (ok, never) but have taken any number of headers while skiing. Seems obvious to me. ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: berryla
Date Posted: November-28-2011 at 7:12am
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I have tested it by exhaling and trying to dive- it pulls me back up to the surface when I try this- but it does not float me as high on the surface as a CGA vest (if I exhale and hold my hands straight up I sink to about chin level). ------------- http://www.kcq.com/Runescape.gold - Buy RS Gold http://www.storeingame.com/ - WOW Gold http://www.tera2buy.com/tera2buy.Gold - Tera Online Gold |
Posted By: MattB
Date Posted: November-28-2011 at 7:37am
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Floating at chin level sound to me like you are pretty close to neutral buoyancy. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=6102" rel="nofollow - 2001 http://uksn2001.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - SN2001 Blog |