Types of Life Jackets

By Robert Cliford


If you have a boat of any kind, then you need to know the various life jacket laws. Most veseels will need to have at least One USCG approved life jacket per person. For vessels longer than 16 feet, a Type IV life jacket must be provided. This law becomes nullified in the case of kayaks and canoes. If the vehicle is underway, children under the age of 12 will always need to wear their life jacket.

If approved by the USCG, you can replace your current life jackets with type V jackets. There are a few different criterial for approval, for example the vest must be marked with a USCG approval number. The life jacket will also need to be in good condition. Let's talk a bit about the different life jackets.

Type 1: This is your most basic flocation device. As a life vest these are excellent as they can turn the unconcious face up. They are a big bulky, but they will last for a significant amount of time.

Type 2: You will need to be prepared for fast rescue with this vest. An individual cannot be turned face up by this jacket which tends to create a problem. That said, these jackets must be used by individuals who are either near shore or in good shape.

Type 3: This type is a floatation aid and it works well in calm waters. They are full-sleeved vests, but they will not turn a person face up. Rough waters would be a bad venue for this type of life vest. These are most often used in water sports such as skiing or tubing. Jet skis are a great example as well.

Type 4: This is not your typical life vest. This flotation device is merely tossed into the water. Most often these are referred to as life preservers, and they can only be used in a few situations. If you have an individual falling off of your craft, you can use this device to guide someone in. These are often kept beside lakes and on boats to ensure maximum safety.

Type 5: This design is used for activities like windsurfing, kayaking, and others. They should be worn at all times, and they must be used in accordance with their label.

Inflatable vests will require replacement parts once they are used. The general idea of course is that they will never actually be used, but when they are, it is possible to reinflate. Such parts can be obtained from a sporting goods store or online.

There are more than a few options in terms of life jackets and life jackets inflatable. Having the right safety equipment is necessary any time you want to operate a watercraft.




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