Life Jackets and Competitive Windsurfing

Further to yesterdays post I spoke to John O'Brien who had recently been charged with researching the rules for life jackets in the race board category and he referred me to this Yachting Australia document that does actually refer specifically to sailboards.

http://www.yachting.org.au//wp-content/uploads/2013/10/121211-2013-16-special-regulations-part-2-off-the-beach-boats.pdf

In section 5.01.1-5.01.5 it clearly defines the types of life jackets required but this is also relative to the water body, i.e. smooth, partially smooth or open waters and still needs to abide by local laws given the differences in each state.

It also states that inflatable life jackets shall not be used in off the beach boats (i.e. windsurfers) and I have already discussed my reasoning behind this in the last post.

There is also a guide to the appropriate life jacket needed according to certain conditions and water bodies included here www.msq.qld.gov.au/safety/life-jackets.aspx and after speaking to Greg this morning I've taken a closer look at the links in the upper right hand corner of that page which go into choosing the right jacket for certain activities and I've listed some of the content below.

Level 100 – open waters • minimum requirement for offshore use • can be used in open, partially smooth and smooth waters • can be worn when fishing, boating, kayaking and canoeing in all waters • not for use when water skiing, tubing or riding a personal watercraft (PWC) • designed to keep you face up in a floating position when in calm water • bright in colour, sometimes with reflective tape 50

Level 50 – partially smooth waters • can be used in partially smooth and smooth waters • can be worn when fishing, boating, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, wind surfing, water skiing, tubing or riding a PWC • can be worn when riding a PWC beyond smooth or partially smooth waters • may not rotate you to float face up , but will return you to the surface • bright in colour 50S

Level 50 Special purpose (50S) – smooth waters • not suitable for use beyond smooth waters • can be worn when fishing, boating, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, wind surfing, water skiing, tubing or riding a PWC • may not rotate you to float face up, but will return you to the surface • wider range of colours than a Level 50 lifejacket that may be less visible on the water • may include wet suits with built in buoyancy

Inflatable lifejackets – range of buoyancy levels • can be used in the waters allowed by its buoyancy level • can be worn when fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing and sailing • not recommended for use when water skiing, tubing or riding a PWC • must be gas inflated (must not rely solely on oral inflation) • less bulky than foam jackets, but you must follow the manufacturer’s servicing periods and instructions

My problem is that in windsurfing there are many disciplines and styles of sailing and some suit one type of jacket while others suit another. Thanks to Greg's queries relative to the Burrum event I have started an investigation into the matter and am hoping to work in with the authorities to come up with a national document that we can use when posting events so that at the very least the information is crystal clear so that everyone knows the rules before signing up to an event.

I don't expect this to be a quick process but will keep you all up to date with any outcomes.

Regards, Scot.

^ As soon as there's an insurance claim the dogs start barking.

Thought I would throw my 2 cents worth in here, normally I just read with interest. From what I can see on the life jacket specs the only life jacket which will float a person face up is the type 1 (and this is only in calm waters) the type 2 and 3 specs say that they may not float a person face up.
If the object is to stop an unconscious person from drowning then none of the life jackets are 100% suitable, if the object is to make the recovery of an unconscious or dead body quicker/easier, then all 3 are suitable.

From the recreation perspective (that is just getting out and sailing after work on week end etc. not racing in organised events) there are more sailors at my local who don't wear a pfd than those who do, and I would guess that to be the case across the state.
I have been sailing for nearly 30 years, the last 12 (after a major operation ) with a pfd 2. The first 18 without a pfd. The reason for the pfd now is because some days I cramp up easily ( due to necessary drugs) and it makes water starts real easy, but I wouldn't expect it to save my life if I was unconscious. The running joke I have with my wife is that if something happens at least my body will be found quickly. On some locations I still don't wear one, that being Elanda point, I don't consider it a dangerous/hard place to sail, its also only about waste deep.

My thoughts on an investigation are similar to kato let sleeping dogs lie other wise all recreational sailors may end up having to wear them, as is the case (from what I have read on the gov websites) in SA VIC and NSW.

Feedback from Glen Stanaway from YA would confirm we are on the right tack with the life jacket policy for organised events.

"The YA Special Regulations for windsurfing, effectively a rule that applies to recognised competitions, require that a windsurfer wear an appropriate lifejacket. The options are in the attached extract from our rules. Importantly you may note that windsurfers may wear PFD Type 3 in the old Australian Standard, or Level 50 under the new Australian Standard. These are the type commonly worn by windsurfers and skiff or dinghy sailors. This information should help you for now. If you have any questions please let me know. Kind regards, Glen Stanaway."

Their rulings in section 5.01-5.01.5 in their off the beach boats (which includes sailboards) regulations states you can use a number of different life jackets right down to PDF Type 3 or Level 50, which in most cases are most suitable for windsurfing because they do not cause too much interference or restrict your vision. They do implicitly state that inflatable life jackets "shall not be used", which is only common sense.

Please note that although SA has now ruled that all windsurfers should wear a PFD we do not have that ruling here in Queensland and I will not be pushing to get that ruling enforce here as I believe this should be a personal choice and am only aiming at getting a national document to cover the protection of competitors in organised events.

[to PDF Type 3 or Level 50, which in most cases are most suitable for windsurfing because they do not cause too much interference or restrict your vision. They do implicitly state that inflatable life jackets "shall not be used", which is only common sense.]

from the guy who is a pain in the arse (your words ) what would the common sense be in wearing a jacket that won,t float you face up ,still dead just easy to find the body, does this glen stanway sailboard and understand all possible issues with sailing. i thought it was funny to see the safety boat with blow up jackets . the funny thing is when you get pulled over buy the water pollice in townsville they wear blow ups

no difference to you, but a big difference to those left behind. Imagine the enquiry where the organiser is trying explain to the coroner why they let you participate with a non approved life jacket.

The lawyers will rip them to shreds, the insurance will be wiping their hands and the police or coroner will be looking to press charges for negligence. The poor organiser will ruined and no one will ever step up to organise an event again.

So its not just about your safety its about protecting the people who step up to organise events as well. Show them you appreciate their efforts by respecting the rules they set.

That's absolutely right Cam, I don't participate in any organised or competitive windsurfing yet but I used to be on a sailing club committee and we used to get similar questions like "why can't we have crew members in a race that aren't silver card holders?" can you imagine what would happen if that sailor were to drown or be seriously hurt and we'd let him/her race? The insurance companies would be coming after me and my house, there's no way I'd want that so that's why we stick to the rules.

Hey Grich, have a look at some of the level 50 dinghy vests out there. I'm using a basic Huchwilco PFD3 vest at the moment and don't like it because it's just too bulky but I'm going to try the Burke 'One Make' dinghy vest as a more cost effective alternative to the more expensive windsurfing 'brand name' vests, Marlin make a neoprene vest as well that's not very bulky.

Bugger! now I understand your issue, is it possible to get one of the vest type ones modified/extended on the sides to have a bit more room? Those Burke ones are side entry with a very small zip and basically look like mx armour with a chest plate and back plate.

It's really tough for people who organise events. Like I was saying we used to get it at sailing club, there's no flexibility, you simply cannot go outside the rules or you'll be left hanging in the breeze if something goes wrong.