Justin Guy Fox

Document ID: USCG-2011-0076-0019
Document Type: Public Submission
Agency: Coast Guard
Received Date: November 22 2011, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Date Posted: November 22 2011, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Comment Start Date: September 29 2011, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Comment Due Date: November 28 2011, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time
Tracking Number: 80f716d4
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This is comment on Proposed Rule

NPRM: Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices (Federal Register Publication)

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Working for 9 years on the Larimer County Dive Rescue Team and for 6 years for Dive Rescue International, I have been exposed to a large number of drownings. One of the only characteristics in these deaths that is the same across the gamut is a lack of the victim wearing a working PFD. Offering youth sized inflatable PFDs would encourage them to wear them more often, increasing their safety. I have investigated child fatalities from children wearing oversized PFDs and slipping out of them. I believe that parents will choose an inflatable that is the wrong size rather than a correctly sized foam PFD if the child is resistant to wearing a PFD. This can lead to a false sense of security for both the parent and child, which can lead to death. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Justin Fox