lifejacket standard use for rescue water craft operations

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OBJECTIVE This lifejacket standard is to ensure the safety, preserve life and prevent drowning by the proper use of a personal flotation device. To assist personnel in efficient boat operations, visibility and identification of personnel, with the assistance of the single most important piece of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and best practice for the use of, proper Type, Fit and Style of lifejacket. BACKGROUND Rescue Water Craft (RWC) boat use is different from any other type of powerboat vessels. Operators, crew and survivors are exposed at the waterline and may be dragged on top of the water and/or with a stern attached rescue board device moved by laying, kneeling or sitting. RWC operations are an ‘active ride’. RWC have the capability of high speeds and maneuverability and are used in water conditions that can be described as dynamic to static and they can be operated technically in some types of aerated waters, currents, storm, flood and surf conditions. The safety of those on board is imperative due to falls overboard and falls onboard and the reality that a RWC operator or crewperson can lose the RWC, capsize and right the RWC, or the vessel can submerge from water immersion into the hull center compartments, requiring a floating or swimming position.

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Page 1: Lifejacket Standard Use for Rescue Water Craft Operations

Lifejacket Standard Use for Rescue Water Craft Operations 2014

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Lifejacket Standard Use for Rescue Water Craft Operations

Applicable Use: Law Enforcement, Lifeguard, Fire Rescue, Search and Rescue, Volunteer Services, Film Production and Event Management Personnel Safety for Mandatory Lifejacket Use

OBJECTIVE This lifejacket standard is to ensure the safety, preserve life and prevent drowning by the proper use of a personal flotation device. To assist personnel in efficient boat operations, visibility and identification of personnel, with the assistance of the single most important piece of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and best practice for the use of, proper Type, Fit and Style of lifejacket.

BACKGROUND Rescue Water Craft (RWC) boat use is different from any other type of powerboat vessels. Operators, crew and survivors are exposed at the waterline and may be dragged on top of the water and/or with a stern attached rescue board device moved by laying, kneeling or sitting.

RWC operations are an ‘active ride’. RWC have the capability of high speeds and maneuverability and are used in water conditions that can be described as dynamic to static and they can be operated technically in some types of aerated waters, currents, storm, flood and surf conditions.

The safety of those on board is imperative due to falls overboard and falls onboard and the reality that a RWC operator or crewperson can lose the RWC, capsize and right the RWC, or the vessel can submerge from water immersion into the hull center compartments, requiring a floating or swimming position.

For the Best Practice involving occupational RWC/PWC lifejacket use the standardization is set as a Type V. Type III’s may be used in some locations or job applications (Minimum buoyancy of 15.5 lbs). Where the risk and/or mitigation of risk are considered minimal: Risk mitigation involves the adoption of a safety culture and a number of organizational strategies which can affect and limit risk, basically to engage in proactive measures and responses.

Type V Lifejacket refers to the 5th level of the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) classification for personal flotation devices. Type V Lifejacketss are intended for specific activities and must be used in accordance with the specifications on their labels.

NOTE: Inflatable type lifejackets are NOT permitted for RWC use

Page 2: Lifejacket Standard Use for Rescue Water Craft Operations

Lifejacket Standard Use for Rescue Water Craft Operations 2014

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JUSTIFICATION OF USE Occupational users are not above lifejacket wear use or laws, similar to the recreational community, our needs are intensified due to the liabilities encountered of field work and RWC application. Whitewater, flood and operational conditions and lifesaving application while underway: If a crewperson or rescuer is operating in inclement weather or water, or with aerated water conditions at any time while underway:

1. Surf Zone 2. Whitewater (river) 3. Flood Conditions (tsunami, rising waters, receding waters)

A Type V swiftwater lifejacket of a minimum of 22lbs. buoyancy is standard issue. The justification for this is if the operator or crew person needs to support one another or survivor(s) in a mishap whereas the vessel has been lost or sunk, the added buoyancy can assist at preserving life or body recovery.

For Swiftwater RWC applications it is mandatory regardless to wear a Type V swiftwater due to aerated water and keeping the wearer’s body closer to the water surface for effective float or swim carriage to safe zones.

Inclement water and weather conditions will create a ‘dipping’ effect of the body if a lesser Type such as a Type III is used in the water during these conditions, increasing fatigue and risk of water inhalation.

Type V will keep the wearer’s head higher on the surface of the water for easier visibility and sighting for safety and recovery.

Life Jackets and the Law For a boat less than 16 feet long you are required to (Rescue Water Craft fall into this category):

Everyone on board a Personal Water Craft/Rescue Water Craft (commonly referred to as ‘JetSki®’) and anyone being towed (towable device-R.B.) behind a vessel must wear a Coast Guard-approved lifejacket. (towed i.e.: Rescue Board attached to stern deck of RWC)

A Coast Guard approved lifejacket must be carried for each person on board. They must be readily available. (RWC Standard: Carry 3 additional Type III lifejackets stowed in the forward front compartment, they will be readily accessible and you can hand them to new occupants/passengers in a safe zone for wearing)

10 feet or 3 meters to the waterline, water safety helmets and lifejackets must be properly fitted and secured for all RWC Operators and Crew

The lifejacket buckles and structural integrity need to be checked for fastened points if struck by repeated waves, swells or from swimming to ensure the fit is secure at all times operationally

You may also keep Type I ‘throw able devices’ stowed on board for emergency use for persons in distress in the water, but they are not to be worn

Float Coats are acceptable but the wearer must be able to swim in the water conditions wearing the Float Coast and it must not place their safety or others are risk, use due caution in dynamic conditions

Page 3: Lifejacket Standard Use for Rescue Water Craft Operations

Lifejacket Standard Use for Rescue Water Craft Operations 2014

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RWC Standard: TYPE V Special use RWC for Surf, Flood or Swiftwater Applications Buoyancy minimum of 22lbs. of flotation

Lifejacket: Fit, Design and Function Recommendations

Check the manufacturer’s ratings for your size and weight and proper fit and care of lifejacket

Make sure the jacket is properly zipped or buckled when in use

Raise your arms straight up over your head while wearing your life jacket, ask a friend to grasp the top shoulder straps and gently tug upward, your lifejacket should not ‘ride up’ it should stay secure in place

If there is excess room above the arm openings and the jacket rides up over your chin or face, it does NOT fit properly. A snug fit in these areas signals a properly fitting lifejacket

Some lifejackets are one size fits all and the side panel adjusts the size to your frame, check all connection points and tug on the straps to make sure they are secure and not loose

No garment shall be placed ‘over’ the lifejacket preventing its immediate removal or blocking access to accessary safety or communication equipment on the lifejacket. (i.e. Rash guards, touring coats or shirts)

While underway any Float Coats or wind breakers need to be worn ‘under’ the lifejacket

Contact points should be constructed in the original design of the lifejacket for affixing radio, PLB, Strobe, knife, rescue scissors, or other accessories, with due respect for catch points, breakage or damage to gear

In some cases mesh vests with fast tech buckles for quick removal may be employed over the use of a lifejacket for agency Identification and accessories and are not considered ‘lifejackets’

Velcro fastening points are permissible for adding agency patches or reflective tags, but must be OEM

Do you take the printed warnings seriously?

Well, you should!

Read the Lifejacket label descriptions.

U.S.C.G. Type V Lifejacket with restricted use for

persons who are knowledgeable about its use.

Obtain training from qualified source.

Do not use in high speed water sports.

Do not carry heavy objects

Page 4: Lifejacket Standard Use for Rescue Water Craft Operations

Lifejacket Standard Use for Rescue Water Craft Operations 2014

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Advice

Not advised to use shoulder strap adjusted type of lifejacket that will cause a ‘slip’ factor for changing the fit to a body profile. The straps must be secure and not capable of releasing when wet or tugged/pulled upon. The lifejacket should not self-adjust its own sizing from your body frame

Not advised that lifejacket use with a front pocket full of accessories be used with RWC operations. These features can restrict the forward bend against our bodies transverse plane restricting our ability to squat, re-board the RWC from the waterline and some physical movements required to operate a RWC

Do not leave lifejackets out in direct sunlight for storage

Air dry lifejackets after use and fresh water rinse

Not advised for the arm panel to be lower than the armpit by 4-5” inches due to the ‘riding up effect’ when floating in the water, or by dynamic water conditions causing a ‘ride up’ effect. Check your airway and throat for clearance of an improperly sized and fitted lifejacket.

Not advised that a ‘live bait or swim tether’ be affixed to the lifejacket during RWC operations, please remove and stow for future swiftwater rescue applications as needed, it is a catch point

Required (engine kill switch) lanyard tether point to be attached to the lowest left side strap, preferably not on a fast-tech buckle release point. Operators must remain ‘hands free’ of lanyard attachments

All loose webbing or strap tail end straps shall be rolled and taped back but not so much to prevent minimal adjustment as needed

Reflective tape at the high points of the lifejacket construction is preferable

Color is defined by agency use as: Black, Yellow, Red, Blue, Green or other as required

No alterations will be made to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of a lifejacket

Lifejacket shall be replaced when worn, frayed or damaged, broken buckles or zippers, mildew or rotting of any materials is present

Do not use as a bumper or a cushion against hard objects

Lifejacket will be destroyed if in contact with significant amount of bio hazard or Hazardous Materials

Lifejacket will not be cleaned with bleach or bleaching agents which will compromise construction materials and degrade the structural integrity of fabric

Lifejacket will be destroyed if buoyancy materials are compromised

Lifejacket must be in serviceable condition upon use

Do not overload your attached accessories to the point of diminishing the buoyancy factor of your lifejacket

Strobes/chem lights will be affixed ‘away’ from front vision with the strobe facing in the reverse direction to not inhibit night vision

Radios shall not be affixed straight off the front of the lifejacket but should be placed near the shoulder area either right or left side of the person, front loaded radios will be destroyed or damaged from strikes against the helm station during active ride or reboarding and can be lost

PLB’s should be stowed on an OEM designed back pouch in a facing upward position as best as possible on the back side of a lifejacket is applicable to its inherent design

Overcoats can be worn on shore for thermal protection in cold environments, but need to be adjusted when returning to the water as a RWC Operator or Crew

Read the warning labels and be familiar with the manufacturer recommendations

Page 5: Lifejacket Standard Use for Rescue Water Craft Operations

Lifejacket Standard Use for Rescue Water Craft Operations 2014

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ABOUT K38 is the global leader in Rescue Water Craft and Personal Water Craft training and standardization for Federal, State, Local and Country of origin for safety regarding recreational and occupational operations and PPE. Shawn Alladio the founder of K38 is a world renowned Subject Matter Expert (SME) and consultant for program and equipment design, expert witness and project developer for water safety. She is the coordinator for the Rescue Water Craft Association and has received numerous boating safety awards covering a 32 year PWC career. www.K38rescue.com [email protected] REFERENCE PLB - Personal Locator Beam (PLB, SPOT, Deloreme InReach) PFD - Personal Flotation Device (lifejacket) RWC - Rescue Water Craft: 3 person Personal Water Craft with a minimum weight Capacity of 496lbs PWC - Personal Water Craft Buoyancy - The tendency of a body to float or sink in water or any other fluid. Most people will naturally float in water, especially if they fill their lungs with air. Most require only about 11 pounds (50 Newtons) of extra buoyancy to keep their head out of water. That is why a PFD with just 15.5 pounds (70 Newtons) of buoyancy can provide adequate flotation for an adult -- even a very large person. PFDs with 22 to 34 pounds (100 to 155 Newtons) can provide superior performance. In technical terms, buoyancy is determined by Archimedes' Principle: Anybody partially or completely submerged in a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the body. That means someone immersed in water is "buoyed" upward by a force equal to the weight of the volume of water that their body takes up (displaces). Gravity pulls a person's body downward by a force equal to their weight. The difference between these forces is a person's net buoyancy. A PFD is very light weight, but displaces enough water to make the PFD and the person wearing it very buoyant. It also follows that the people hardest to float are those with compact, dense bodies. These tend to be people with athletic body builds, with a lot of bone and muscle mass, and not much fat. Fat is not as dense as muscle and bone, so people who are overweight can actually be easier to float than someone who is much smaller and leaner. Heavy people do not need much higher buoyancy PFD because of their weight. (USCG Reference: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5214/pfdselection.asp) Note: Updated February 2014. Please refer to current laws, rules and regulations in your area of operation for updates to any changes Federal or State regarding Lifejackets, types and recommendations, as well as manufacturer updates on current product use. Reader assumes all responsibility. Please refer to your Country Code and regulations are not operating with the USA boating rules and regulations.