When do you wear a life jacket?

This depends on the size of the pleasure boat, while in a canoe I want a vest on (inflatable) all the time. In a 18 - 20 ' bass boat - operating at high speed I would wear it while moving from point a to point b. On a 23' walk around only if the weather got real bad would I think about wearing one or if in an emergency.

Though not required, a PFD should be worn at all times when the vessel is underway. A wearable PFD can save your life, but only if you wear it.

Some activities would require the use of a PFD; Your state or government regulations may require them for canoes, white water rafting, sailboarding and operating a PWC.

.Good Luck and Boat Safe !

State and Coast Guard regulation place age limits on who has to wear a PFD (life Jacket). in my state anyone under the age of 14 must wear one at all times when the boat is underway. Other than that it is a common Sense thing. I always wear mine when I run wide open 100 mph + just go to your Coast Guard Auxiliary or Marine Authority and they can give you the best advice for boating in your State/Country.

when underway I insist on PFD's being worn whenever the activities on deck increase the possibility of falling overboard

Statistically, most people who die in boating accidents AREN'T wearing PFDs. No matter how good a swimmer you are, you can't swim while knocked unconscious. A helmet may protect you from head injury, but it won't keep you from a knock out concussion. Rafting and kayaking have certain inherent risks, they are rugged activities. Pleasure boating may seem more tame, but that is where most people die in boating accidents. Remember in most situations, if you are overboard, or your boat has sunk, you are too far from shore to swim. Ride in a Navy or Coast Guard small craft, and you'll see that everyone is wearing PFDs, all the time (and they are the pros). I am an excellent swimmer, and have been for fifty years, but I still put on a PFD when appropriate.

It is reccomended that you wear a life jacket:

When bad weather comes in,

If it is dark,

At the first sign of an emergency,

When undergoing activities where you are likely to fall off (like mooring)

and at all times for children.

Personally, I have only hired boats and only used the life jackets when we are required to by the hirer.

Not on a pleasure boat (except for life-boat drill), but always wear one when on our small boat on fast rivers and definitely on the Thames.

at night time, when crossing a bar, during rough weather, basically whenever i do not feel comfortable operating my boat. A friend of mine died recently even though he was wearing his life jacket, there is nothing infallible in this world. i wear a manually inflated life jacket for ease of movement and comfort

Wearing a life-jacket is an adult decision. You make the decision.

The one answer I will take issue with is the one that talked about putting one on when feeling uncomfortable.

If you are uncomfortable at the helm Captain: GET OFF THE WATER!

When you are the captain you are responsible for every life on your boat and every one in the water if you are pulling toys. Many people forget that and become very blase about the huge responsibility on their shoulders.

Too many innocent people have lost their lives at the hands of incompetent captains.

If you can't swim you should wear one and if you can swim there must be a jacket for every person on board. and you don't need to wear it but you must know where it is at all times just in case.

Always. Think of it like seatbelts in a car. You may never need it, but when you do, there may be no time to put it on.

Never.