Cold Water Life Jacket Wear Requirement November 1 through April 30 Mission: To protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities
Dec 31, 2015
Cold Water Life Jacket Wear Requirement
November 1 through April 30
Mission: To protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities
Pennsylvania Boating Deaths10 years
746 accidents; 125 total fatalitiesPFDs not worn in 80% of fatalitiesNov 1-Apr 30 incidents
8% of total accidents 29% of total fatalities 82% in unpowered boats & motorboats <16 ft. High-risk segment
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec0
20
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80
100
120
140
160
180
0
10
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Fatalities vs. Accidents by Month2002 - 2011
% of accidents resulting in Fatalities # of Accidents
# of
Acc
iden
ts
% F
atal
ities
Pennsylvania Statistics
Cold water shockWater temp < 70o F
Involuntary gasp (aspiration of water)HyperventilationBreathlessnessReduced ability to control breathing & swimmingProbable factor in 5 of 7 fatalities in 2010
Connecticut Oct 1-May 31All unpowered boats
Maine Jan 1-Jun 1All canoes/kayaksSaco River only
Maryland Nov 15-May 15Upper Potomac River only
Massachusetts Sept 15-May 15All canoes/kayaks
New York Nov 1-May 1All boats < 21 ft.
West Virginia Nov 15-May 15Shenandoah River only
Pennsylvania Nov 1-Apr 30Motorboats < 16 ftAll canoes/kayaks
Title 58, Pennsylvania Code, Section 97.1* * *
(i) Beginning November 1 until midnight April 30 of the following year, a person shall wear a Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V PFD while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak.
Effective November 1, 2012