Life Jackets for Boating » Yachts & Boats

Lifevest 2

Type II – Near Shore Buoyant Vest. This "classic" life jacket comes in several sizes for adults and children and is for calm inland water where there is chance of fast rescue. Provides a minimum of 15.5 pounds of buoyancy and will turn some unconscious person face up in the water. It is an excellent choice for children (some models have a collar handle and crotch strap for added safety). It is less bulky and less expensive than a Type I. Inflatable Type II are available.

Type III – Flotation Aid. Provides a minimum of 15.5 pounds of buoyancy. Includes inflatable and foam type life jackets. Most versatile and comfortable type of life jackets. Excellent choice for most boating activities including water skiing, wake boarding, tubing, paddle sports, hunters and anglers. They are for use in calm water where there is good chance of fast rescue since they will generally not turn an unconscious person face-up. Flotation aids come in many sizes and styles.

Lifevest 3

Type IV – Throwable Special Use Device. Seat cushion or ring buoy styles. Designed to be thrown to a person in the water and grasped and held. It is not designed to be worn. Type IV PFD devices include buoyant cushions, ring buoys, and horseshoe buoys. One must be on all boats 16 feet or longer in addition to the required wearable life jacket.It is important to keep these devices immediately available for emergencies, and they should not be used for small children, non-swimmers, or unconscious people. Throwable devices include boat cushions, ring buoys, and horseshoe buoys.

Lifevest 4

Children`s Life Jackets
All life jackets are clearly labeled with the appropriate weight range for the product. Check the label to match the weight range of your child. To check for a good fit, pick the child up by the shoulders of the life jacket. If the life jacket fits, the child`s chin and ears will not slip through. Children come in many sizes and shapes. If a life jacket style does not work well, try another one.
While some children weighing between 30 and 50 pounds may like the freedom of movement that a Type III life jacket provides, most children in this weight range, especially those who cannot swim, should wear a Type I or Type II life jacket.

The best option is to always wear a vest, however, the smart boater will definitely wear a vest anytime there is a chance of the following:
- High boat traffic – increased boat traffic elevates the risk of collision.
- Severe weather – high seas and winds increase the chance of capsizings and swamping.
- Dangerous water conditions – swift water, especially at or near low-head dams, create unsafe conditions and need to be avoided.
- Dangerous local conditions – rip tides, water intakes and discharges, shoaling and unmarked hazardous areas are of concern when boating in unfamiliar waters. Yachts

- When off-shore – the further away from land you travel, the greater the need to wear a PFD.
- Operating at night – night boating presents hazards such as unseen floating objects, difficult visibility and unlit structures.
- When boating alone – always consider wearing a PFD when boating solo as there is no one available to assist you should you end up in the water. Attempting to put on a vest after you are in the water is a tiring, extremely difficult maneuver, especially in a situation where the water is cold, or the waves are high, and you are experiencing a life-threatening situation.