I've never understood the issue with wearing a PFD, but I know it's a hot button for a lot of people. One argument that comes up a bit is that you can be trapped under a tramp and be unable to swim down to get away. I sort of think it's like the seat belt argument, in some instances, wearing a seat belt might put you in a position to be killed, while being thrown from the vehicle might let you live. I don't want to test it, but it seems to me that the overwhelming odds are in favor of wearing PFDs and seat belts.

Anyway, whether a PFD is approved or not can be the subject of a protest, like any other equipment rule. I'm not a lawyer, so I won't speculate about how far an OA or RC should go with this, but there are some expectations that the rules be upheld.

Generally speaking in the Hobie classes, we won't protest a boat for an equipment issue without first speaking to a sailor and giving him the chance to retire. This normally comes after a competitor brings it to our attention, or we're able to see it on the water. If a competitor sees it, it should be up to them to protest, but if it's a major event, the IJ would make the appropriate inspection and decide whether a protest is warranted.

Mike