Life jackets for clubbies!

It should turn out to be a case of only the rowers that need to wear helmets, which is completely understandable. I stopped surfboat rowing after watching other people in comps get completely wiped out by other boats, oars, etc etc. The number of neck and head injuries you saw was substantial. So I went back to only racing in craft races and ironman (board, ski, swim, that kind of jazz).

As for making people on patrols wear lifejackets... stupid in a lot of instances. Some people have argued that it would be beneficial to wear a vest when conducting rescues as a swimmer, but thats what you have a tube for. I would prefer a tube that I can easily just ditch and give to the casualty, then bring him in clinging for dear life to something he can actually hold. Anyone who has ever rescued a panicked swimmer will know that you don't want anything attached you that the panicked victim can get a hold of.

As for wearing lifejackets and helmets in craft comp (board and ski), I'm all for it being available for people that want that protection... but making it mandatory is silly and over the top.