INFLATABLE
BASICS
Inflatable life jackets
offer significant advantages over inherently buoyant
life jackets by providing greater buoyancy and a greater
ability to turn an unconscious wearer face up. We’ve
found inflatables are exceptionally comfortable and
wearable. The low profile over-the-shoulder models can
be mistaken for a safety harness, while belt pack models
can look almost exactly like a fanny pack worn across
the belly.
These
jackets must be inflated with air, or in this case
carbon dioxide, to keep you afloat.
Belt
packs, unlike the traditional inflatable models, are
made with the life jacket “bladder” (the part that
holds the air) in a tiny pack around a boater’s waist.
When the jerk cord is pulled, out comes the inflated
bladder from the front of the pouch, where it then
needs to be manually pulled over the wearer’s head.
This crucial detail-- the need to be cognizant and
capable to make this jacket work—is what makes belt
backs more suited for inland, warm weather boating.
A few things you should know about these models and inflatables in general: the wearer must be at least 16 years of age, they’re not meant for weak swimmers or non swimmers, they should not be used in temperatures below freezing, and they aren’t intended for extreme watersports like personal water craft, waterskiing, whitewater rafting, or kneeboarding.
What
belt packs are meant for is sailing and cruising,
fishing and hunting, and generally lower-risk inland
boating activities. They offer a compact, easy-to-wear
alternative to inherently buoyant jackets.
All
inflatables require care and maintenance to ensure
they are ready to go when you need them. Your unit’s
user’s manual will have specific instructions
on how to test and take care of your jacket, things
like orally inflating it each year to check for leaks.
Read and follow these instructions carefully—they
could save your life.
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