Question about life jackets

[Nemo5150]

Recently got a new life jacket from fiancee...not a huge wearer in the first place and this one came with an understrap. (strap between your legs) He's big on safety. Is there much harm in cutting that strap off or just not wearing it? It's brilliantly uncomfortable and a huge inconvenience. It's a type I USCG approved jacket and seems to fit fine without. Thanks all!

[BubbleheadMd]

Without the strap, if you fall into the water unconcious, the jacket will ride up. Any number of things could then happen. Your airway could be blocked off, or you could slip right out of the bottom of the jacket.

If you were concious, you'd be forced to keep your arms low, near your sides to keep the jacket low and comfortable on you.

[tager]

Just wear the life jacket everywhere, until your fiancee complains that you are wearing a life jacket in a grocery store. Tell her how much you like it and that you really appreciate her gift, and you feel safer when wearing it.

Eventually she will insist you take it off. Never put it back on.

Insurance is ruining the world. If actuaries had their way we would all be wearing bear survival suits when hiking. Helmets and pads when walking down the sidewalk. Bulletproof vests while in the bank or Los Angeles. Earplugs when in the city etc.

Just remember, you can't measure safety, the best way to stay alive isn't to wear a PFD when you fall in, it's to not fall in in the first place.

[Nemo5150]

Thanks! My fiancee is a him, I'm a her. Just a heads up. He's very protective so he bought a heavy duty life jacket lol.

[tager]

Major faux paux on my part. I am sorry. I guess in today's world of gender, it's not that big of a deal. I mean, they call me by my mothers name at the grocery store all the time, just because I use her account and they don't even look at my face! Ha!

[Nemo5150]

Haha!

[sailingfool]

Originally Posted by Nemo5150

Recently got a new life jacket from fiancee...not a huge wearer in the first place and this one came with an understrap. (strap between your legs) He's big on safety. Is there much harm in cutting that strap off or just not wearing it? It's brilliantly uncomfortable and a huge inconvenience. It's a type I USCG approved jacket and seems to fit fine without. Thanks all!

If the jacket is intended to be used in an emergency or potential-emeregency situation, do not alter the jacket or remove the strap, as mentioned above the strap provides an important service. keep the jacket as is, and store somewhere close at hand.

If you want a jacket for regular use, get a different jacket, one designed for being worn, an offshore Type I is not intended for regular wear. Preferably get a nice inflatable, which is the right way to go, otherwise perhaps a Type III, intended for continuous use.

[flyingwelshman]

In Canada - & I assume the states - if you modify an approved jacket or PFD, they cease to be approved.
Up here you face a fine if your safety equipment does not conform to the requirements i.e. approved floatation devices etc.
I have the opposite issue. I have a Mustang hydrostatic self-inflating PFD. I wear it all the time when sailing and feel uncomfortable without it. I want to put a crotch strap on it.
I have a crotch strap on my BCD for scuba and have gotten used to that tingling feeling it gives me when I use it to float on the surface.

[tager]

Lol.

[SVPrairieRose]

Viddler.com - News Segment Fail - Uploaded by failblog

Just be happy he didn't get you one of these.