Quote:
Originally Posted by Acres per Second
A PFD can force you up under the sail, which has just excluded your air supply.
The World Olympics changed their mandatory PFD rules when one twin brother of the two-brother crew drowned under the sail—unable to get any air!  |
It's always different for them isn't it?
Yes, that can happen. Same argument people used to use with seatbelts, being trapped in a burning car. If the sail trapping people is a common issue, then perhaps a large, circular flotation device needs to be mounted at the top of the mast to allow for air space when the sailboat tips.
But you know, when all kinds of people are making all kinds or rules for everyone, they're generally too busy to listen to common sense, or even discuss alternatives. Maybe the twin brother could have had no PFD, fallen into the water, hit his head, and drowned. There are lots of scenarios, as there are with any boat on the water.