What is Life Vests, Tethers and Harnesses?
Personal safety equipment includes personal flotation devices (PFDs), safety harnesses, and tethers. Inflatable PFDs are a common sight on many recreational and commercial vessels, but must be maintained and serviced properly.
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What it is
Personal safety equipment includes personal flotation devices (PFDs), safety harnesses, and tethers. Inflatable PFDs are a common sight on many recreational and commercial vessels, but must be maintained and serviced properly. Inherently buoyant life jackets are always effective but are bulkier and can limit movement. There are many types of PFDs, each designed for specific conditions. For vessels sailing offshore, undertaking long voyages or sailing at night it is generally considered good practice for crew to wear harnesses and tethers, which help prevent person overboard events. To determine which type of lifejacket best suits your purposes, read more about USCG life jacket categories and ratings here: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/CG-ENG-4/PFDSel/.
What it does
This equipment keeps crew members afloat and attached to the boat. Life vests provide buoyancy to keep head above water, and many models include lights, whistles, and harness integration. Harnesses transfer load to the body's core rather than a single point and help prevent life jackets from slipping off a limp body. Tethers physically connect crew to the boat via jacklines or strong points, preventing man overboard.
Why it matters
Personal flotation is useless if you go overboard beyond help, and connection to the boat prevents going overboard in the first place. Together they create a system where crew can work on deck in rough conditions with confidence. Statistics show that most man overboard fatalities involve people not wearing PFDs or not clipped in. Having properly maintained, well-fitting equipment that crew actually uses is the foundation of on-deck safety.
General Maintenance
Don’t alter your PFD. If it is uncomfortable or ill-fitting, invest in a new one. Inspect personal safety equipment before sailing and after any hard load or water activation. Law requires PFDs to be in good shape before used on any vessel. For inflatable PFDs, check CO2 cylinders are charged, often indicated by a green service indicator, before sailing. Every 6 months, conduct a deeper inspection as recommended by the manufacturer. This often includes an extended leak test, checking the inflator mechanism, and cleaning the lifejacket. For inherently buoyant PFDs, check regularly for rips, tears, and holes. Check that seams, straps, and hardware are still functioning as intended. Consider rinsing with freshwater after exposure to saltwater. Drip dry; do not use direct heat sources to dry. Store dry in a well-ventilated environment. If kept onboard for emergency use and used infrequently, check regularly for mildew, waterlogging, or shrinkage. For harnesses, inspect all stitching for wear or damage. Check all buckles and adjustments function. Verify size tags are legible. Replace if any component is showing significant wear. For tethers, inspect for cuts, abrasion, or UV damage. Verify clips open and close smoothly under load. Check the shock absorber isn't torn. Replace any component showing significant wear.
Common Issues
- Inflatable PFD CO2 cylinders fired or expired but not replaced
- Automatic inflation mechanisms accidentally triggered or failed
- Inflatable components worn and leaking, no longer holding air
- Harness stitching deteriorated from UV exposure or age
- Tether clips corroded and won't open under load
- Equipment stored in inaccessible location, not worn when needed
- Sizing incorrect making gear uncomfortable and thus not used
- Shock absorbers in tethers torn or damaged
- Lights or whistles on PFDs non-functional from dead batteries or corrosion
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