Do you always wear them?

amanda · 12-31-2009, 09:35 PM

Sometimes I take my life vest off while I'm rowing. I know it's dangerous, but there's something that is just so much freer about being without one. My siblings get mad at me, but I think it's okay. Who's right?

OutTheBackDoor · 12-31-2009, 09:45 PM

I don't ever go without my life vest. I'm too old to take chances now. I know it feels much better, cooler and freer, but it's much safer to wear it and live to paddle another day.

Morgan · 12-31-2009, 09:51 PM

Its better to be safe than sorry as they say. And I strongly believe in this saying especially when you do things that accidents are a possibility. Amanda's sibling is absolutely right about wearing a life vest even it seems that its reducing the freedom to enjoy the thrill.

HillbillyMama · 01-01-2010, 11:27 AM

Legally here in Oklahoma, you do not have to wear your vest all the time. You just have to have them accessible on the vessel. I rarely wear mine. I can't stand them.

campclose · 01-01-2010, 06:48 PM

I'm all about safety so I Never take it off. I usually have my daughter with me when I'm in the canoe or boat. What would I be teaching her if I took mine off?

Please be safe everyone, you never know when you will need it.

**2coastcamper** · 01-03-2010, 01:19 AM

I have to be honest, every now and then when we're paddling in calmer waters, I'll take my life vest off and wrap it around my lap.

I know ... it's bad. Shhhhhh ... don't tell my wife!

But I also go mountain bike riding, rock climbing and solo camping. All dangerous. You have to accept some amount of risk, especially if you have the personality I have. But ever since I found out I was gonna be a father, I've worn the life vest every time. I even bought a bike helmet. Gotta practice setting a good example. I'm still going solo camping when I can, though.

jason · 01-04-2010, 12:51 PM

I am bad about life vests. I will admit it. I should start wearing one now that we may have a youngin coming with us, and I should set a good example.

And congratulations 2coastcamper on your good news.

ATVfan · 02-13-2010, 11:58 AM

I always wear my life jacket. I value my life and will take the necessary precautions to be safe. I take out my kids with me a lot and what what that say to them. I am not wearing mine so you don't have to?

Archer · 02-13-2010, 03:41 PM

For safety's sake, you really should keep it on, but I can understand that in calm waters, if you are a strong swimmer, and there are plenty of friends watching out for you, how it would seem acceptable to go without for a while.

Adventurelover · 02-13-2010, 09:44 PM

If it is a calm area of water then yes I will leave it off and place it right under my feet however, if it is in an area I haven't been or the water is choppy then it stays on.

12-31-2009, 09:35 PM	#1
amanda Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 30	Do you always wear them? Sometimes I take my life vest off while I'm rowing. I know it's dangerous, but there's something that is just so much freer about being without one. My siblings get mad at me, but I think it's okay. Who's right?

01-04-2010, 12:51 PM	#7
jason Look 2x Safe a life Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 1,202	I am bad about life vests. I will admit it. I should start wearing one now that we may have a youngin coming with us, and I should set a good example. And congratulations 2coastcamper on your good news. Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/outdoorbasecamp Youtube Channel Coming soon...

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12-31-2009, 09:45 PM	#2
OutTheBackDoor Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 45	I don't ever go without my life vest. I'm too old to take chances now. I know it feels much better, cooler and freer, but it's much safer to wear it and live to paddle another day.

12-31-2009, 09:51 PM	#3
Morgan Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 34	Its better to be safe than sorry as they say. And I strongly believe in this saying especially when you do things that accidents are a possibility. Amanda's sibling is absolutely right about wearing a life vest even it seems that its reducing the freedom to enjoy the thrill.

01-01-2010, 11:27 AM	#4
HillbillyMama Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hillbilly Heaven Oklahoma Posts: 146	Legally here in Oklahoma, you do not have to wear your vest all the time. You just have to have them accessible on the vessel. I rarely wear mine. I can't stand them.

01-01-2010, 06:48 PM	#5
campclose Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: NY Posts: 183	I'm all about safety so I Never take it off. I usually have my daughter with me when I'm in the canoe or boat. What would I be teaching her if I took mine off? Please be safe everyone, you never know when you will need it.

01-03-2010, 01:19 AM	#6
2coastcamper Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 415 Blog Entries: 6	I have to be honest, every now and then when we're paddling in calmer waters, I'll take my life vest off and wrap it around my lap. I know ... it's bad. Shhhhhh ... don't tell my wife! But I also go mountain bike riding, rock climbing and solo camping. All dangerous. You have to accept some amount of risk, especially if you have the personality I have. But ever since I found out I was gonna be a father, I've worn the life vest every time. I even bought a bike helmet. Gotta practice setting a good example. I'm still going solo camping when I can, though.

02-13-2010, 11:58 AM	#8
ATVfan Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 33	I always wear my life jacket. I value my life and will take the necessary precautions to be safe. I take out my kids with me a lot and what what that say to them. I am not wearing mine so you don't have to?

02-13-2010, 03:41 PM	#9
Archer Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 89	For safety's sake, you really should keep it on, but I can understand that in calm waters, if you are a strong swimmer, and there are plenty of friends watching out for you, how it would seem acceptable to go without for a while.

02-13-2010, 09:44 PM	#10
Adventurelover Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 34	If it is a calm area of water then yes I will leave it off and place it right under my feet however, if it is in an area I haven't been or the water is choppy then it stays on.