problem is this though- just because they chose that line of work doesn't mean they always relish being in those situations. do soldiers like being shot at? No. If they could avoid it, would they? yep

My point was ….
IMHO, that is not a good argument for why the public should wear a PFD, to keep rescue people from having to rescue you.

PTP
So what your saying is recreational sailors don't deserve rescue? If that's it ,then you should sell your boat and keep the first responders from being at risk.
Contrary to your post, all the fireman I know love the excitement and really enjoy their job the more difficult it gets.
as for the soldier comment ,I'd say that's apples to oranges.

As x-military (and served in the gulfwar) i think i have ground to say that military don’t want to be shot at... but understand that its possible we will be ordered into dangerous situations and put in harms way.

If you join the coast guard or a rescue team... you KNOW you will be out there rescuing people in inclement weather and crazy conditions so the argument that we put them at risk, as a reason to wear a pfd is weak.

That being said.... those guys in the Coast Guard who go out and do rescue ops are CRAZY! (but thank god for them).

HERE-HERE
Karl Brogger FOR PRESIDENT

The population of the world on average increases by 166,000 a day. If a few people want to not wear pfd's seatbelts and helmets more power too them. More resources available for me.
I feel sorry for this persons family but not the person. Your choices in life affect you first and foremost. If you don't care about your life enough to take proper safety procedures you become an example of what not to do for others.
Get on my boat wear a life jacket, at all times. I alweays have flares gps and a radio. signal mirrors in my life jacket with the whistle. and for ocean a phone in the dry bag.
As for a volunteer coast guard id rather have someone who wants to serve than someone forced to serve.
Bless our troops everywhere!
Former USN 4 tours to the gulf, and somalia.

cat fever-
I didn't mean that recreational sailors don't deserve rescue. Not sure where you got that....
as far as the fireman/police/SAR people... I thought of that when I typed it- they do enjoy the adrenaline rush of what they do but I am sure they are also thinking "jackass!" when they are rescuing some people.
my opinion is what people have echoed on here- it is stupid not wear a pfd when out on a catamaran, less stupid if you don't wear one while cruising on a bigger boat. either way is stupid but I agree that I don't like laws that mandate anything but someone tell the lawyers that. There is, unfortunately no such thing as personal culpability anymore. gotta blame someone for everything

BTW, I was deployed as critical care evacuation team leader in the Phillipines and loved it when I was actually doing my job. Taking off in a helicopter at night with lighting all around to transport a local who got in a motorcycle accident and had a brain bleed (and I do not believe he was wearing a helmet) was sketchy but thrilling.

PTP

I agree that those in certain professions enjoy the thrill of fighting fire, jumping out of airplanes, blowing stuff up, searching & rescue, or combinations of the above.

And yes, they do think (or speak amongst themselves) "dumb--" for those that really do brainless stuff..

I've had to document patient information during EMS transports, and more than once I've caught myself mumbling under my breath "...and THAT'S why you're here (in this ambulance)"

I mean really, did (s)he really think that 'surfing' on top of a moving car was a good idea?

Or trying to steal cable TV by splicing wire (which turned out to be another illegal AC power line already stealing electricity) was smart?