Ergs don’t float so why should coxswains without a PFD?!
Hi Everyone,
I just got an e-mail from Peter giving me a heads up on a very serious topic. To sum up the point make sure your coach’s launch has a life jacket for you too! Check out what Peter says.
Hi Mary,
It came to my attention during a safety audit that the US Rowing recommended “crash box” has only 8 life jackets in it….. and an 8+ has nine seats, hence your excellent web site. It is most likely an oversight as they are “8′s” …right… and the people who assemble the kits are most likely not rowers…
Still, having the Safety Kits kits one short in the life jacket department is a dangerous oversight and possibly a violation of some county code, many state ones and for sure the US Coast Guard ones.
Yes, the Concept -2 sweeps are “considered” a “Type -3 ” flotation device, but try and convince a Deputy Sheriff of that, or a lawyer bent on a “negligence” finding…
As the coach of a start up YMCA rowing program, I have to meet both local ordinances, YMCA rules and soon US Rowing requirements. I am sending a similar message to Willey Black at US Rowing and as one of the occupants of the 9th seat I would appreciate help seeing this safety oversight corrected. It is a simple thing to put 9 life-jackets in the kit..
Spread the word.
–mwhip+
Tags: life jacket, PFD, safety
Posted at Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 in: Coxswain Training
And we have no fat to insulate us against the conditions if we do go under…!
brrrrrrrrr…..
I’m honored Toony that you have graced my pages!! For those who have not heard of Toony yet, just ask to see his Olympic medal from Athens! Feel free to comment anytime you want.
Haha… bettered in colour by BOTH of yours Ms Whipple…
Yeah, I stumbled across this website when I googled ‘Taco Bell’…
In Britain Coxswains are required to wear a lifejacket at all times in the boat.
How heavy are these things? Honestly, I can swim and so I can’t stand these things. If something happens there is a boat there to hold on to and there are plenty of people around to help. Don’t get me wrong I think coxies who can’t tread water should wear them or on rivers with currents (I’ve never coxed on a river–the Puget Sound in Olympia, Wa and American Lake in Tacoma as well as a few times in the Marina in San Diego)
Plus for a bit longer I’m a bit larger than most coxies so I have plenty of “insulation.”