Life Jacket Required

while I was in LP I read in the Lake Placid newspaper an un noticed bill will most likely be passed to law. Starting Nov. 1 2009 (if passed) everyone will be required to wear an approved PFD in any watercraft under 21' in length from Nov-1 until May-1 . Don't matter how old or young one is, if it's a canoe, kayak ,raft , float tube or motor boat under 21' you Must WEAR your PFD durring that time period. After May-1 and until Nov -1 you will not be required to wear it but rules as they apply now.
 
The theroy behind that time period is water temp. and survival rate. In those cold waters you will loose use of your functions much quicker and chance of survival is much lower..
 
I think it's not a bad idea but why not just make it year round ? Less chance of getting a ticket because you forget the dates.
I will be investing in new inflateable PFD's which will be a pretty big expense but still cheap compared to possibly saving a life.  
 
Thoughts ?

I've got an auto-inflatable vest. Very comfortable. But it only counts as a life vest in your boat if you are wearing it. I learned that the semi-hard way. Got a ticket, sent in my guilty plea with a nice note to the judge. It's been 2 months and haven't heard anything.
 
My thoughts on this is the same as my thoughts on seatbelts. Should be a personal choice for an adult. I thought we lived in a free country.

Although I think it is wise to wear a life jacket in cold water due to hypothermia, I do dislike there being one MORE regulation set by our government. but cant get to bent as long as I can fish. I have one though a bit uncomefortable I'll have to invest in a vest. any one have a good one with pockets they recomend?

good comments folks:

I tend to agree with both side... Mind you I have had 4 no-seat belt tickets before I gave in and now always wear it. You know what, for the most part it aint bad. Sure it’s a pain in the but with waders & gear on . I also don't and hate wearing a life jacket in my raft while on those small brook trout ponds. But if it passes I cant take the chance, I may loose my guides license.

The flip side:
In the past year we have heard of many drowning in the cold weather months. Some were foolish others were caused by outside factors (heavy currents , boat wakes) Would a life jacket saved their life ? I don't know but they surly died without it. 
Then it becomes others being put at risk during the rescue & finally recovery efforts. Take just a minute and think about that. Others must go into the waters to search & recover now their lives are at risk.

That was pretty heavy stuff I know and I'm with you about more gov't regs.
Please keep the comments coming and any advice or helpful ways such as equipment or comfortable PFDs to prepare for if this gets passed.

The biggest advantage to wearing a life jacket in cold water is that it makes it easier for them to find the body. 

Well I hate a growing fed gov and its regulations, although I admit some regs are neededas to say like a kid having to wear a life jacket when the adult is'nt responsible enough to make sure he has it on. And true it can and doe put people (rescuers) in jeapordy trying to save or recover these victoms, it still just rankles an old fart like me who have watched these regs grow over the years and realy jump these last ten yrs. It may not seem like much but to an old dog like me I see the storm clouds on the horizon... sorry I try not to go to far as it gets my dander up.
So I'll grumble  a bit then make another cast and get back to fishin. lol

KJ:
is that a self inflate or manual pull tab ?  I fish in some serious weather and in a float tube, or raft you can get things pretty wet. I have heard the self inflates are prone go off if submerged.
 
Thanks for the input and link... 
 

ORIGINAL: hot tuna
is that a self inflate or manual pull tab ?  I fish in some serious weather and in a float tube, or raft you can get things pretty wet. I have heard the self inflates are prone go off if submerged.

 
Can be either.... Came setup as whichever comes first - Meaning when the washer disolves in water, or when you pull the ripcord.  It does have a cap that can make it manual only if I remember correctly.  I've never had a concern in the rain, but I don't raft or float tube and from the video I think submerging would make it pop very quickly. Theres another technology that Mustang has called Hydrostatic, its been explained to me as follows - you can get it as wet as you want but it will not engage until its submerged by X inches underwater.
 
 

Revenue Enhancement.

ORIGINAL: backin79

you know any public traded companies selling certified coastguard approved fishing floatation devices?

 
Jarden Corporation is your ticket... here are a few of their 'outdoor' brands under the Jarden umbrella...
 
Coleman
Stearns
SOSPenders
Sylveor
Hodgman
it also owns alot fishing brands... Berkley, Shakespere, Pfluger, mitchell and I think Penn & fenwick