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The Law of Life Jackets and the PFD that is Right For You

Have you ever looked at an Instagram Reel of someone on a SUP paddling on a clear blue lake in golden hour light and thought to yourself, “I wish it were me out there on the water”. If the answer is yes, then you’re not alone. Now, can you recall whether or not the individuals in that video were wearing a Personal Floatation Device (PFD)? In more cases, they are not, and often, they are also not aware that they are breaking the law.

In Canada, In most cases, if we are out on a paddle board, we are legally required to abide by one of two options:

  1. Wear a life jacket or PFD with an attached sound signalling device at all times while on a paddleboard.
  2. Carry a life jacket or PFD along with a sound signalling device and a 15-metre buoyant heaving line.

These rules are enforced by Transport Canada under the small vessel regulations for all non-motorized watercraft under five metres in length entering open water or travelling from point A to B. This means that if you are on a paddle board playing around in shallow water near the beach, you are legally in the clear to play without a life jacket or PFD. These regulations also include canoes and kayaks but with the addition that canoes and kayaks are required to carry a 15-metre buoyant heaving line whether they are wearing their PFDs or not.

What’s a sound signalling device?

A sound-signalling device is an approved sound-making device that is not attached to your small vessel. These can include whistles, pealess whistles, air horns. We recommend a pealess whistle attached to the PFD or lifejacket.

How do I choose a PFD or life jacket?

When most people think of PFDs, they picture a big, chunky orange life jacket with a head support. Life jackets and PFDs are often confused for being the same thing, but there is a slight difference between the two. Life jackets are designed to flip an unconscious person face-up should they fall in the water. A PFD provides buoyancy and keeps you afloat, but they are not guaranteed to keep your face up should you fall unconscious. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available on the market for those who aren’t interested in a clunky life jacket.

Two popular options for paddleboarders are inflatable vests and hip belts. These inflatable options have a low profile that will help with maintaining an Insta-worthy image and might even allow you to forget that you are even wearing a PFD. It is important to note that inflatables are required to be worn at all times whether you have a 15-metre buoyant heaving line or not. Additionally, these inflatable options are not recommended for children or those who are not strong swimmers.

For canoeists and kayakers, there are plenty of options for PFD vests that are optimized for all-day comfort and range of motion for paddling

Another important consideration is the colour of the PFD. While you are not legally required to wear a bright colour, it is recommended to choose a bright red, orange or yellow colour to increase the chance of success in a possible search-and-rescue event. 

Finally, it is essential to ensure that your life jacket or PFD is Transport Canada and/or U.S. Coast Guard-approved or meets the equivalent certification standards in your region.

So what if I don’t wear a certified Lifejacket or PFD?

Aside from the obvious answer that you risk the chance of drowning should you fall in the water or if your vessel capsizes, there is a chance of getting yourself a fine if the authorities catch you without a life jacket or PFD. The RCMP in the Okanagan has been quoted saying that the fine for paddling without an approved life jacket or PFD is $287.50. You can buy a pretty fancy PFD for that price and have enough left over for a dinner out after a day of paddling.

What are the experts saying?

Norman Hann regularly leads guests on multi-day stand-up paddle board expeditions with his company, Norm Hann Expeditions, based in the Comox Valley. Norm says, “Not only are PFDs required by Transport Canada for stand up paddling, but an appropriate and well-fitted PFD can serve three uses. They, most importantly, provide floatation, keeping your upper body higher in the water column and your head above water; they provide core warmth, which can be critical to survival, especially in the cold waters we have here in Canada for most of the year; they can provide impact resistance from slips and trips on shorelines and protection from falls against the edge of your board. As a bonus, most PFDs will have pockets where you can carry snacks and a communication device in the event you need them. A PFD in combination with a leash will keep you safe for your season of paddling on lakes and oceans.” 

Jamie Mani from Alpha Adventures hosts SUP and sea kayak tours through the waters of the sunshine Coast and has this to say: “Wearing a PFD / Lifejacket does more than just meet a regulation for being on the water. PFD’s save lives and are far more effective if they are worn by the paddler. I have seen numerous SUP paddlers leave them behind or just have them on the board, but then not using a leash. In that case, a fall off the board can easily mean no access to the board or your PFD.”

Are there any other rules that I should know about?

There are several other rules that are sometimes applicable to paddle boarders, canoeists and kayakers. For any of these vessels, if you are out paddling after sunset, before sunrise, or in periods of limited visibility, such as a foggy day, you are required to carry a watertight flashlight. Additionally, for any watercraft that is travelling out of sight of the shoreline you are required to carry a radar reflector and a magnetic compass. Finally, a bailer or bilge pump is required for any boat that can hold enough water to make it capsize. So obviously, paddleboards are exempt from this final rule, but our canoeist friends are not.

Is that all?

Hopefully, this article has inspired you to think more about your safety on the water. If you want to learn more, you can find all this information and more on the Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide.

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