Are life vests worn? A multiregional observational study of personal flotation device use in small boats: Table 1

Abstract

Objective-Although life vest use is thought to prevent drowning, their use by boaters has not been described. This study sought to determine the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) in small boats. Methods-Boaters were observed between April and June 1995 in Washington andOregon and classified by their age, gender, PFD use, and boat type. Results-Among 4181 boaters, 25% wore a PFD. Use was highest in <5 year olds (91%) and lowest in those over 14 years (13%). Those in kayaks were most likely (78%) and those in motor boats (19%) were least likely to wear a PFD. Females were more likely to wear a PFD than males (relative prevalence 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 1.6). When a child less than 15 years was in a boat with an adult, PFD use was 65% if no adult wore a PFD and 95% if at least one accompanying adult wore a PFD (p=0.001).

Informing policy on open water drowning prevention: an observational survey of life jacket use in Washington state

“…Observed life jacket use was low (30.7%) and relatively unchanged compared with state observations from 2000 (29%) and 1995 (24%) 11. This lack of progress is consistent with USCG observations of life jacket use across the US.…”

“…Prior observations in Washington State mirror these national trends. In 2000 an estimated 29% of Washington State boaters wore a life jacket,10 a slight increase from 25% in 1995 11…”

Prevention of Drowning

“…One observational study revealed that 90% of children younger than 5 years wore life jackets, but only 13% of those 14 years or older used a life jacket. 52 Reasons commonly cited for not wearing a life jacket include beliefs that there is a low risk of drowning, that life jackets restrict movement, that life jackets are uncomfortable, that life jackets are unattractive, and that wearing a life jacket is a sign of fear. 53 Parents of children who do not always wear life jackets report reasons including (1) the parent is in close proximity to the child, (2) a PFD for the child is on board in case of emergency, and/or (3) the child has good swimming skills.…”

Did compulsory wear regulations increase personal flotation device (PFD) use by boaters in small power recreational vessels? A before-after observational study conducted in Victoria, Australia

“…Recreational boaters form a substantial proportion of drowning deaths in Australia,1 the USA,2 Canada3 and European countries 4. Personal flotation devices (PFDs), commonly called life jackets or life vests, are designed to prevent drowning by keeping the wearer afloat thereby increasing the likelihood of survival and rescue.…”