What procedures do you follow with lifejackets when you have a crew?

[jwilson]

I notice when sailing with people who been on boats all their lives, they have a greater awareness of how the boat is moving, they sit or stand so they react naturally to the boat's movement. They are aware of other boats so see the wash coming etc. They will naturally locate themselves in the boat so they are secure without holding on, but probably where there's something to hold if needed. They will almost always have a free hand for themselves.

+1
I am with the ".... after dark, or reefs in, or with non-sailing guests aboard" school of thought. I am certainly now much more safety-conscious than when 50 years ago I regularly singlehandedly sailed a boat offshore with no guardwires, no lifejacket, no liferaft, no VHF, no flares. I did very occasionally tie a line round my waist and round the mast. I simply assumed I'd be dead if I did fall off, so didn't.

I have two options now for lifejackets, an "all bells and whistles" auto with sprayhood etc, and a basic one with just pull-toggle and harness. I hate wearing the fancy one - in fact I have only ever worn it once.

 

[thinwater]

^^ This.

I would add that in the winter I often wear a harness and barely feel it over the other clothes. Instead of a PFD, I usually just have a drysuit, which adds a lot of flotation and in very cold an wet weather, is perhaps the most comfortable wear. It also transitions nicely into sea kayaking, which I often do when I anchor.

In summer, I will wear gear when the hazard level increases enough, something I measure as I go. If solo I will often put the harness on at the dock (I have a very light one) and lay the tether just in case things change or if I need to do something hazardous.

The point is, it varies.

And I will use some protective equipment around the house. Ear muffs or goggles in the shop as needed. I have a jackline and lanyard system for the roof (it's mossy). I generally wear a helmet on the bike, but not if just riding to the store.

 

[steve yates]

Harnesses and lj's go under the dog house, for use when anyone feels the need. They would go on if I ordered them on,
Under 18's have to wear a lj.
When sh ( my usual state) I put the harness on when I get nervous, and the lj on when I get scared
But in general, I rarely wear either, not because my I don't like them, ( tho I don't). But because I don't want to do stuff in fear of what might happen, I prefer to make my own judgements of when I may be at risk or not, and take my own considered degree of precautions.
I don't wear a helmet rock climbing, unless its sea cliffs. But I wear one on ice climbing or on mixed alpine routes, cos I expect stuff to fall down from above.
I wear a buoyancy aid and helmet white water kayaking cos I often end up swimming! ( can't roll) but wear neither taking a Canadian out on a lake.
I will be a lot later putting on a harness or lj on my ketch rigged longbow as i am almost in a cockpit cage of rigging and masts, than I would be in my ittle bradwell 18.

 

[Seajet]

Steve Yates,

shirley most lifejackets and harnesses are combined nowadays and a much better idea, unless you mean attaching a harness line when frightened, singlehanded or in the dark, as I do.

A much better sailor than me once commented " if boats were 200' up on a concrete pillar, no-one would think of going over the side ! " - but I knew a chap at an employment agency - tower crane drivers had a habit of becoming complacent, and one day stepping out into space.