What is the Minimum Personal Protective Equipment for PWC Operations

 

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) requirements for PWC Rescue vary with the conditions surrounding the use of the PWC.  Requirements from Florida would differ from those in Alaska.

WETSUIT provide an excellent value for the money. They come in various thicknesses for different water temperatures, provide maximum protection from injury, work when damaged and are easy to repair.

DRYSUIT provide the best thermal protection, ease of movement, fit different sized people, provide wind protection when out of the water, and provide hazardous material protection when working in contaminated water.

PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III, Type V, or Type III/V personal flotation devices (PFDs) are recommended. These jackets provide a minimum of 15 1/2 lbs. (7 kgs) of flotation. The fit is the most important feature when selecting a PFD. Try to find a jacket that provides the most flotation while fitting you properly.

HELMETS Light, ventilated helmets with foam padding or adjustable suspension systems are the preferred types. Fire helmets or helmets with fixed brims should not be used, as these can cause serious injury.

FOOTWEAR Neoprene Booties with thick soles are an excellent choice. Tennis shoes with wool or Neoprene socks are also a good combination.

HOODS Either Neoprene hoods or some type of pile cap which insulates when it is wet can be indispensable in cold conditions.

GLOVES A combination of neoprene and leather or composition-palmed gloves provide the best blend of thermal protection and manual dexterity.

EYE PROTECTION should be worn when operating boats, personal watercraft or when working under helicopters. Types include safety glasses, goggles, face shields and swimming glasses.

RIVER KNIFE one handed and accessible. a backup knife stored in PFD pocket is recommended

WHISTLE A good whistle is necessary for communication.  It should be loud and work when wet.  The whistle should be attached to the PFD.

SWIM FINS Short, stiff bladed swim fins should be carried in the event the PWC becomes disabled or you must swim into an area to retrieve the victim.

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT Consideration should also be given to additional equipment such as; strobe light, EPIRB, Marine Radio, Throw bag, etc. It all depends on where you are operating. 

By Design: Examining the Jet Ski’s Giant Impact on Big Wave Surfing

“Oh, it’s had a humungous affect on the progression of big wave surfing over the past 30 years. No question. ”

This from Frank Quirarte, the renowned surf photographer and heavy water safety expert from Half Moon Bay, California who, having recently returned from an epic strike mission to Cortes Bank, definitely knows what he’s talking about. He isn’t referencing any particular surfboard design, breath-holding training method or inflatable vest. He’s not talking about different GoPro mounts, either. What Quirarte is pointing to as having arguably the single most significant influence on big wave surfing over the past few decades is the Jet Ski.

Peahi, Teahupo’o, Aussie bommies and slabs, Mullaghmore, Cortes Bank and, of course, Nazarè — all tackled at size with a hand on the throttle, and in each case completely redefining the parameters of what is considered to be rideable surf. Then there’s the paradigm shift when it comes to safety, with the introduction of precise teamwork and coordinated rescue protocol. Yet although having become ubiquitous in big wave lineups around the world, and the topic of much discussion and even controversy since gaining popularity in the early 1990s, the wider surfing world has been told virtually nothing about how and why these machines work, or, in fact, anything about their performance and design evolution. So let’s fix that right now. Read More