About
Falls overboard are the second leading cause of death among commercial fishermen in the United States. Between 2000 and 2014 there were 210 fatal falls overboard in the United States and NONE of the victims were wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) when they drowned. Stan fell overboard setting pots at the start of Dungeness crab season in Oregon, his story has a different ending because he was wearing his PFD.
Format: MOV
Language: English (US)
Developed by: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Others in this series
Describes how a lobsterman fell overboard without a life vest and was rescued.
Describes how a lobsterman survived a fall overboard while wearing a life vest.
Explains how a crew used an emergency stop on their deck winch to prevent an injury.
Suggested citation
NIOSH [2018]. Fishing safety success story: My life vest saved me. Spokane, WA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2018-107.
Content Source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health