Why don’t rowers wear life-jackets?
Scholastic rowing is a rapidly growing sport with almost 50% of USRowing’s membership under the age of eighteen and more than 70% under the age of twenty-three. Throughout much of the United States the rowing season begins on water temperatures below 50f -- conditions that USRowing recognizes as extremely dangerous and life-threatening – yet the use of life-jackets is virtually unknown.
This is true for rowers of all ages, under any conditions, regardless of state laws. Under current USCG regulations rowers in racing shells are exempt from all PFD requirements. Despite the complete absence of any minimum safety standards for scholastic rowers; the fact that young rowers are often unaccompanied by coaches certified in First Aid, CPR, or Boating Safety; and despite continuing deaths and near fatal accidents, young rowers continue to be encouraged to row under any conditions without life-jackets.
This presentation examines the risks of cold-water rowing, available accident data, life-jacket usage, and the challenge of overcoming market resistance and designing life-jackets specifically for this growing market.