佛蒙特州新救生衣法冷季生效 11月至5月在甲板上必须穿戴救生衣
Montpelier——冷水季节临近，佛蒙特州一项新的救生衣法律开始生效：根据州长 Phil Scott 签署的参议院法案 S.326，在佛蒙特州水域航行中的船只上，任何身处开放甲板的人都必须穿着正确系好的、经美国海岸警卫队（USCG）批准的个人漂浮装置。该规定每年11月1日至5月1日执行。
法律针对的是突然落入冷水的严重、往往致命的风险：人体落入冰水时会触发不由自主的喘气反射，大幅增加吸入水和溺亡的风险；同时肌肉快速冷却会使最有经验的游泳者也迅速失去力量与协调能力，来不及游到安全处或找到存放的救生衣。在冷水条件下，紧急救援也会因水上船只较少、淡季搜救力量有限而耗时更久，因此船员须具备更强的自救能力。
该强制要求适用于在州内水域航行的休闲船只，包括摩托艇、帆船、渔船、浮筒船、皮划艇、独木舟和桨板，但不适用于经海岸警卫队检验的商业船只。所穿救生衣须处于完好可用的状态，并符合穿着者的体型。
信息来源：佛蒙特州参议院法案 S.326、The Charlotte News
Vermont's New Life Jacket Law Takes Effect for Cold-Water Season, Nov. 1 to May 1
MONTPELIER — A new Vermont life jacket law has taken effect as the cold-water season begins: under Senate Bill S.326, signed by Governor Phil Scott, anyone on the open deck of a vessel underway on Vermont waterways must wear a properly secured, U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device. The rule is in effect each year from November 1 through May 1.
The legislation addresses the severe, often fatal risks of sudden cold-water immersion. Falling unexpectedly into freezing water triggers an involuntary gasp reflex that sharply increases the risk of inhaling water and drowning, while rapid muscle cooling robs even experienced swimmers of strength and coordination, making it nearly impossible to swim to safety or locate a stowed life jacket. Emergency responses also take longer in cold-water conditions because fewer boats are on the water and off-season search and rescue assets are limited, so boaters must be more self-sufficient.
The mandate applies to recreational watercraft operating on state waterways, including motorboats, sailboats, fishing vessels, pontoons, kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, and exempts U.S. Coast Guard-inspected commercial vessels. The required life jacket must be in serviceable, undamaged condition and correctly sized for the wearer.
Sources: Vermont Senate Bill S.326; The Charlotte News
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图片来源：Lake Champlain 上的船只，佛蒙特州。Boat on Lake Champlain, Vermont. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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