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Life Jackets
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There are five types of traditonal foam flotation devices. Each is designed for different boating activites and water conditions and has its own maximum buoyancy, performance level, and limitations. You should choose your life jacket based on your boating activities and conditions, as recommended below. Buy a life jacket that you will wear.
Try to buy a brightly colored jacked, such as orange or yellow, so that you will be visible to rescuers. Take it out of the plastic, try it on, and learn how to adjust it for a snug fit. Then, test it in the water, make sure your life
jacket supports you and keeps your mouth and head
clear of the water with no effort on your part. Then, try pulling it on once you're in the water...it's not as easy
as it seems. |
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 Manufacturers include valuable information about each PFD on the product label, and in an attached brochure.
The label will give you information about
what uses the jacket was intended for, along with information about the size of
person it will fit, care instructions, and how to wear or 'don' the jacket. Keep in mind that using the jacket outside of its listed restrictions and
intended use is illegal, and can result in receiving a ticket--or more
importantly, the loss of a loved one. |
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The picture below shows what you would find on a typical life jacket label...
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When should you wear your life jacket?
In general, the best time to wear your lifejacket is when you are near the water. Accidents happen...both on the dock, and on quiet, still waters. In fact, most boating fatalities occur when the boat is moving slowly or not at all. If you feel comfortable without a life jacket on during calm conditions, always keep your eye on weather and water conditions as they can deteriorate very rapidly. While you should always wear your PFD, it is particularly important to wear your PFD during the following times:
- Boating at night, or at times of reduced visibility - When it is hard to see, it will take that much longer to
find you if you fall overboard.
- In congested waterways - Many boats and turbulent water might make it difficult to see you in the water.
Wearing a PFD will get you higher up, and the jacket colors should make you easier to see.
- When you are by yourself - If you boat alone, there's generally no one around that can help immediately.
- If you boat in rough weather - Difficult sea conditions make for difficult rescues.
- If you boat in hazardous waters - Hydraulics near dams, or in places with strong currents/cold water--
even if it's sunny and warm--can make it difficult to rescue you quickly.
Even if you avoid these situations, if you are on an unfamiliar boat, or in unfamiliar waters, you should strongly
consider wearing your life jacket. By law, recreational vessels must carry a properly fitted, serviceable PFD for every person on board. Jackets must also be of the correct size for the person wearing it, and you must have life jackets READILY AVAILABLE for use. That means they shouldn't be buried in a locker under a pile of gear, or still in their packaging. Have them out, and ready for use. Better yet, wear them from the start!
What is buoyancy and why is it important?
Buoyancy is the force, expressed in pounds, required to keep you afloat with your head and chin above the water.
Since everyone's buoyancy requirements are different based on size, weight, sex, age, percent body fat, and
general physical condition you should test your life jacket in the water to make sure it will offer you maximum performance when your life depends on it. |
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