In Deep Water- Life Jacket Considerations for People with Physical Disabilities

IN DEEP WATER LIFEJACKET SELECTION & CONSIDERATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES Joe Moore - Adaptive Expeditions Crystal Skahan - Northeast Passage Project funded by MTI Life Jackets

WHY IT MATTERS • IN 2017 THE USCG REPORTED 648 DEATHS FROM RECREATIONAL BOATING ACCIDENTS • WHERE THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS KNOWN, 76% DIED FROM DROWNING • ONLY 47% OF THESE FATALITIES INVOLVED A MOTORIZED VESSEL

• 53% WERE PADDLE, ROW, OR SAIL CRAFT • WHERE BOAT LENGTH WAS KNOWN, 80% WERE IN VESSELS < 21 FEET • 81% HAD RECEIVED NO OFFICIAL WATER SAFETY TRAINING

•84.5% WERE REPORTED AS NOT WEARING A PFD US 2017 Recreational Boating Statistics USCG & Dept of Homeland Security

ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INDEPENDENTLY TURN FROM FACE-DOWN TO FACE-UP AND REMAIN FLOATING FACE UP WHILE WEARING A PROPERLY FITTED LIFE JACKET

AMERICAN CANOE ASSOCIATION: ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PADDLESPORTS

4 BASIC KINDS OF PFD BUOYANCY • INHERENTLY BUOYANT • BEST CHOICE FOR MOST BEGINNER AND INTERMEDIATE ADAPTIVE SPORTS

• MANUALLY INFLATABLE • USER MUST BE ABLE TO PULL THE CORD AND / OR BLOW INTO THE TUBE (+ OPEN AND CLOSE THE VALVE) AND THEN DON THE JACKET WHILE IN DEEP WATER • RISK OF ENTRAPMENT IF STORED IN THE WRONG PLACE OR WORN INCORRECTLY • OFFERS LITTLE HELP FOR SOMEONE UNCONSCIOUS OR WITH LIMITED FINE MUSCLE CONTROL (FROM DISABILITY, HYPOTHERMIA, OR ANY OTHER CAUSE).

• AUTO INFLATABLE • INFLATE AUTOMATICALLY WHEN THEY GET WET • RARELY APPROPRIATE FOR ADAPTIVE SPORTS • HIGH RISK OF ENTRAPMENT IF STORED IN THE WRONG PLACE OR WORN INCORRECTLY

• HYBRID • SOME INHERENT BUOYANCY WITH ADDITION OF AIR CHAMBERS THAT CAN BE FILLED MANUALLY

USCG CLASSIFICATION OF 5 PFD TYPES

TYPE 1

TYPE II

TYPE III

OFF-SHORE

NEAR SHORE

ACTIVITY SPECIFIC

22 LBS MIN. BUOYANCY

15.5 LBS MIN BUOYANCY

15.5 LBS MIN BUOYANCY

LIKELY TO TURN UNCONSCIOUS

INHERENTLY BUOYANT, INFLATABLE, HYBRID

WEARER FACE-UP IN WATER

USCG CLASSIFICATION OF 5 PFD TYPES

TYPE IV

TYPE V

TYPE V

THROWING DEVICES

SPECIALTY USE AND HYBRIDS

SPECIALTY USE AND HYBRIDS

SWIFTWATER RESCUE VEST

INFLATABLES

15.5 LBS MIN BUOYANCY

15.5 LBS MIN BUOYANCY

TYPE III INHERENTLY BUOYANT VARIATIONS • INTENDED USE- READ THE LABEL • ADJUSTABILITY OF SHOULDER STRAPS, TORSO LENGTH • SIDE FOAM PANELS, HEAD PANEL • BOTTOM STRAP BENEATH FOAM PANELS • ZIPPERS, BUCKLES, PULLOVER STYLE • RATIO OF BUOYANCY FRONT-BACK • SHAPE OF FOAM PANELS (I.E. TRIANGLE, SQUARE, RECTANGLE) • IMPACT RATING • AMOUNT OF BUOYANCY

PFD FIT & FUNCTION

PROPER WEARABLE PFD FUNCTION • FLOAT A PERSON’S BODY HIGH ENOUGH TO KEEP CHIN ABOVE WATER • THIS FUNCTION IS DIMINISHED IF PFD RIDES UP IN THE WATER FROM POOR FIT • PROVIDE SUFFICIENT ARM AND TORSO MOBILITY TO ENABLE INTENDED ACTIVITY • DIFFERENT PFD TYPES ARE DESIGNED FOR DIFFERENT INTENDED ACTIVITIES • AID PERSON’S ABILITY TO ROLL BODY FROM FACE DOWN TO FACE UP IN THE WATER • MAINTAIN PROPER FIT DURING FORCES ENCOUNTERED WITHIN INTENDED VENUES • E.G., WHITEWATER RESCUE VEST NEEDS TO MAINTAIN FIT IN WHITEWATER • AID WITH HIGH FREEBOARD RESCUES – E.G. SAILBOATS AND RAFTS • AID WITH UNCONSCIOUS / INCAPACITATED PADDLER RESCUES IN KAYAK, SUP, AND MOST OTHER WATER ACTIVITIES • SWIFTWATER RECUE VESTS NEED QUICK RELEASE TOWING ATTACHMENT POINTS • AID VISIBILITY FROM THE AIR BY RESCUERS (ESPECIALLY OFFSHORE VESTS)

PROPER WEARABLE PFD FIT • READ MANUFACTURERS LABEL TO MATCH PERSON’S SIZE AND WEIGHT TO PFD SIZE • YOUTH PFD’S ARE DEFINED BY WEIGHT – NOT AGE

• BE WORN ON THE BODY, ZIPPED & CLIPPED • PROVIDE ENOUGH BUOYANCY TO KEEP PERSON’S CHIN ABOVE WATER • MINIMAL OR NO RIDE UP IN THE WATER • BOTTOM STRAP THAT IS OUTSIDE OF FLOATATION PANELS • RIDE UP PREVENTION SYSTEM (RUPS): I.E. LEG/CROTCH STRAPS

• BE COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO BE WORN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME • CANNOT BE ALTERED IN ANY WAY NOT INTENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER • INFLATABLES MUST BE WORN IN ACCORD WITH MANUFACTURES LABELING

SIMPLE EVALUATION MATRIX size

A SHORT QUIZ AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION • WHAT TYPES OF PFD WOULD WORK BEST FOR A NON-SWIMMER DINGY SAILING WITHIN A HARBOR? • HOW ABOUT SAME PERSON SAILING ACROSS THE OCEAN IN A KEELBOAT? • WHAT TYPES OF PFD WOULD BE THE BEST BALANCE BETWEEN COMFORT AND SAFETY FOR INSHORE KAYAKING? • WHAT TYPES OF PFD WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR SOMEONE WITH LIMITED HAND FUNCTION? • WHAT TYPE(S) OF PFD WOULD BE THE LEAST EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN PROPER FIT IN WHITEWATER, SEAS, OR UNDER DYNAMIC FORCES?

LEGAL US COAST GUARD + STATE LAWS

State level PFD use laws are different for all 50 states

State laws must be at least as stringent as federal requirements or federal requirements will trump state laws State law controls so long as state law is at least as protective as the federal law.

US COAST GUARD + STATE LAWS • FEDERAL LAW (33 CFR 175) APPLIES IN ALL NAVIGABLE WATERS OF THE USA: • ONE WEARABLE PFD FOR EACH AND EVERY PERSON ABOARD A RECREATIONAL VESSEL MUST BE “READILY AVAILABLE” (EXCEPTION MADE FOR RACING SHELLS, SCULLS, CANOES AND KAYAKS AS WELL AS FOR ALL SAILBOARDS WHETHER RACING OR NOT) • EACH PFD MUST BE USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS ON THE APPROVAL LABEL & OWNERS MANUAL. • I.E., LIFE JACKETS MUST BE COAST GUARD-APPROVED, IN SERVICEABLE CONDITION, AND THE APPROPRIATE SIZE FOR THE INTENDED USER. • THROWABLE PFD (TYPE IV) MUST BE PRESENT ON ANY VESSEL OVER 16 FEET (EXCEPT FOR PADDLE CRAFT).

• ON A VESSEL UNDERWAY, CHILDREN UNDER 13 MUST WEAR AN APPROPRIATE COAST GUARD-APPROVED PFD, UNLESS THEY ARE BELOW DECKS OR IN AN ENCLOSED CABIN. • INFLATABLES GENERALLY ONLY LEGAL FOR CHILDREN OVER 16. CHECK THE LABEL.

SHORT QUIZ – TRUE OR FALSE AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION • A TYPE IV THROWABLE DEVICE IS ALL A COLLEGE STUDENT LEGALLY NEEDS WHEN TOURING IN A 17’ CANOE ON A LAKE. • FALSE - WHENEVER VESSEL IS OVER 16 FEET, A “WEARABLE” PFD MUST BE “READILY AVAILABLE.” ONLY IF RACING, WOULD AN EXCEPTION APPLY. • A TYPE V INFLATABLE BELT-PACK IS ALL SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE SAFE WHILE TOURING WITH A CANOE ON A LAKE? • WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION. ARE THEY A “STRONG SWIMMER”? DO THEY HAVE THE HAND FUNCTION AND MOTOR SKILLS TO INFLATE THE PFD? IF NOT, THEN THEY ARE NOT SAFE. • A TYPE III PFD CAN LEGALLY BE STORED ON THE DECK WHEN KAYAKING IN A BUSY HARBOR? • TRUE UNDER FEDERAL LAW. A PFD ONLY NEEDS TO BE “READILY AVAILABLE.” BUT STATE LAW COULD TAKE PRECEDENCE AND MAKE THIS STATEMENT FALSE. • TYPE III PFD CAN LEGALLY BE STORED ON DECKS WHEN KAYAKING OR DINGY SAILING IN A CALM LAKE WITH A GROUP OF 12 YEAR OLD MIDDLE-SCHOOL CHILDREN? • FALSE – YOUTH UNDER 13 MUST “WEAR” PFDS WHENEVER UNDER WAY UNLESS THEY ARE BELOW DECKS OR IN A CABIN.

HOW DESIGN AFFECTS FUNCTION ROLLING FROM FACE DOWN TO FACE UP • THE RATIO OF FLOTATION FRONT-TO-BACK DETERMINES HOW MUCH A PFD HELPS OR HINDERS ROLLING FROM FACE DOWN TO FACE UP

• EXCESSIVE FLOTATION ON THE FRONT PANEL MAKES THE PFD BULKY AND MAY IMPEDE MOBILITY, IMPACT RESCUE, OR INCREASE DIFFICULTY WITH FRONT ZIPPERS.

HOW DESIGN AFFECTS FUNCTION BUOYANCY FULCRUM POINT & AMPUTEES

PFD flotation is mostly on the head-end of a buoyancy fulcrum point.

When he stops swimming, he will tilt at the fulcrum point head-up and feet-down.

HOW DESIGN AFFECTS FIT AND FUNCTION BUOYANCY FULCRUM POINT & AMPUTEES If someone is missing lower extremities, the buoyancy fulcrum point shifts When he stops swimming, he will tilt at the fulcrum point feet-down and head-up.

Only known safe solution – shift PFD as far as possible toward head

HOW DESIGN AND FIT AFFECTS FUNCTION HIGHER FREEBOARD RESCUES

HOW DESIGN AND FIT AFFECTS FUNCTION RESCUES KAYAK AND SUP

WHAT’S WRONG HERE? DEVELOPING CRITICAL-EYE SKILLS

WHAT’S WRONG HERE? DEVELOPING CRITICAL-EYE SKILLS

WHAT’S WRONG HERE? DEVELOPING CRITICAL-EYE SKILLS

WHAT’S WRONG HERE? DEVELOPING CRITICAL-EYE SKILLS

WHAT’S WRONG HERE? DEVELOPING CRITICAL-EYE SKILLS

WHAT’S WRONG HERE? DEVELOPING CRITICAL-EYE SKILLS

WHAT’S WRONG HERE? DEVELOPING CRITICAL-EYE SKILLS

WHAT’S WRONG HERE? DEVELOPING CRITICAL-EYE SKILLS

WHAT’S WRONG HERE? DEVELOPING CRITICAL-EYE SKILLS

INHERENTLY BUOYANT LIFEJACKET CARE EVERY USE

OCCASIONALLY

SEASONALLY

RINSE AFTER USE, ESPECIALLY AFTER USE IN SALT WATER.

HAND WASH IN MILD DETERGENT TO HELP PREVENT MILDEW, RINSE AND HANG TO DRY.

INSPECT PFD FOR TEARS AND HOLES

HANG TO DRY AWAY FROM SUNLIGHT

MTI RECOMMENDS:

BE SURE ZIPPERS AND BUCKLES ARE WORKING PROPERLY

MCNETT’S WETSUIT AND DRYSUIT SHAMPOO.

INSPECT FOAM FOR DIMPLES, CREASES, OR CHANGES IN BUOYANCY

MCNETT’S MIRAZYME OR SURF REMEDY TO ELIMINATE STINK

IF YOU NOTICE SIGNS OF WEAR:

REPLACE

MANUAL INFLATABLE LIFEJACKET CARE EVERY USE

SEASONALLY

YEARLY

IF THE PFD HAS BEEN SUBMERGED, OPEN THE SHELL, UNFOLD THE BLADDER AND HANG TO DRY

IF NOT BEING USED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME:

INSPECT PFD FOR TEARS, FRAYING AND HOLES

BACK THE CYLINDER OUT, MAKING SURE YOU DON’T BREAK THE BAYONET ON THE CYLINDER

OPEN AIR BLADDER AND VISUALLY INSPECT

IF YOU NOTICE SIGNS OF WEAR: REPLACE

TUCK THE JERK TAG INSIDE SO IT CAN’T ACCIDENTALLY INFLATE IF CAUGHT ON SOMETHING. BE SURE TO UNTUCK BEFORE USE!

CHECK CO2 CYLINDER FOR CORROSION AND MAKE SURE BAYONET IS NOT BROKEN ORALLY INFLATE BLADDER AND MAKE SURE IT WILL HOLD AIR FOR AN HOUR.

OTHER RESOURCES USCG – HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT LIFEJACKET – ONLINE: HTTPS://WWW.USCGBOATING.ORG/IMAGES/HOWTOCHOOSETHERIGHTLIFEJACKET_BROCHURE.PDF

BOAT US FOUNDATION – ONLINE: HTTPS://WWW.BOATUS.ORG/LIFE-JACKETS/

ACA INSTRUCTOR MANUAL – AVAILABLE THROUGH WWW.AMERICANCANOE.ORG

LIFE JACKET & RESCUE STUDY OF BOATERS WITH ADAPTIVE NEEDS. THOMAS CLAGETT, JR. MEMORIAL CLINIC & REGATTA (THE CLAGETT). FUNDED BY THE BONNELL COVE FOUNDATION IN 2015, PRESENTED FINDINGS AT LIFE JACKET ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN 2017, PUBLISHED REPORT 2018.

PROUD TO SUPPORT ADAPTIVE WATER SPORTS

DISCOUNT CODE = ADAPT30 30% OFF ALL MTI PRODUCTS AT WWW.MTILIFEJACKETS.COM

IN DEEP WATER LIFEJACKET SELECTION & CONSIDERATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES Joe Moore - Adaptive Expeditions Crystal Skahan - Northeast Passage Project funded by MTI Life Jackets