{"id":11,"date":"2009-04-07T14:22:49","date_gmt":"2009-04-07T20:22:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nboat.wpengine.com\/life-jacket-lingo-from-nboa-marine-insurance.html"},"modified":"2016-06-22T14:40:01","modified_gmt":"2016-06-22T18:40:01","slug":"life-jacket-lingo-from-nboa-marine-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nboa.largeinc.com\/blog\/life-jacket-lingo-from-nboa-marine-insurance.html","title":{"rendered":"Life Jacket Lingo from NBOA Marine Insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"

How many life jackets do you need?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The United States Coast Guard requires USCG-approved life jackets on all recreational boats. The number and type depend on these 3 things:<\/p>\n

1. Number of passengers aboard
\n2. The size and type of your boat
\n3. Your boating activities
\nLife jackets are split into five categories. Depending on your needs, you will have at least one of these jacket types for each person aboard your vessel.
\n\u2022 Off-Shore life jacket a.k.a. Type I PFD
\n\u2022 Near-Shore Buoyant Vest a.k.a. Type II PFD
\n\u2022 Flotation Aid a.k.a. Type III PFD
\n\u2022 Launch Aid a.k.a. Type IV PFD
\n\u2022 Wearable Special Use Device a.k.a. Type V PFD
\nFederal regulations require children under age 13 to wear an appropriate Coast guard approved life jacket at all times, unless they are below deck or in an enclosed cabin. State laws vary in terms of age; be sure to check with your state\u2019s boating safety office for specifications.
\nBoats 16 feet or longer (excluding canoes and kayaks) must also have at least one throwable flotation device (Type IV) like cushions, buoys, or life rings.
\nLife Jacket Designs
\nAn inherently buoyant jacket is a foam vest that floats on its own and offers buoyancy without the need for inflation.
\nAn inflatable features a chamber that is inflated by a CO2 mechanism when buoyancy is needed; manual and automatic options are available.
\nA hybrid features both an inflatable chamber and buoyant foam material.
\nChoosing a Life Jacket
\nToday\u2019s life jackets offer comfort, style and flexibility, with a wide range of models, sizes and colors. You can find life jackets tailor-made for specific activities like paddle sports, water sports, angling\/hunting, recreational boating and sailing.
\nThere are four basic life jacket types, but not all life jackets are suitable for all activities. Choose your life jacket based on your planned activities and anticipated water conditions. Always look for the United States Coast Guard approval number before you purchase any life jacket.
\nMost adults need only an extra 7-12 pounds of buoyancy to keep their heads above water. A life jacket can give you that \u201cextra lift\u201d until help comes. Keep in mind that fact that life jackets are not \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d garments. How much \u201cextra lift\u201d you need in the water is determined by body weight and fat, lung size, clothing and water conditions (rough or calm). In general , the more physically fit your are , the more \u201clife\u201d you need. Check your life jacket label to be sure it\u2019s made for your weight and size.
\nLife Jacket Basics
\nTYPE I PFD \u2013 Off-Shore Life Jacket
\nBest for open, rough or remote waters, where rescue may not be immediate.
\nBenefits
\n\u2022 Provides the greatest amount of reliable flotation
\n\u2022 Turns most unconscious wearers face-up
\n\u2022 Comes in highly visible colors
\n\u2022 May have reflective material for search and rescue
\nConsiderations
\nInherently buoyant Type I \u2013 May be bulky in and out of the water
\nHybrid Type I\u2013 Needs regular inspection and rearming
\nInflatable Type I \u2013 SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) devices have two separate chambers that must inflate automatically when submerged and indicate when CO2 chamber is empty.
\n\u2022 Requires regular inspection and rearming
\n\u2022 Not suitable for non-swimmers
\n\u2022 Not suitable for activities with frequent water entry
\nTYPE II PFD \u2013 Near-Shore Buoyant Vest
\nGood for calm or inland water, where fast recue is likely. Be sure to water-test before boating activity.
\nBenefits
\n\u2022 Turns some unconscious wearers face up in the water
\n\u2022 Less bulky and more comfortable than foam life jackets (Type I)
\n\u2022 Approved for multiple sizes from infant through adult
\n\u2022 Good choice for children
\n\u2022 Inflatable deploy automatically when submerged and may be suitable for some rough-water conditions
\n\u2022 Their bright colors are more visible in the water
\nConsiderations
\nInherently buoyant Type II \u2013 Not recommended for long hours on rough waters and bulky for adults
\nHybrid type II \u2013 Needs regular inspection and rearming to be reliable
\nInflatable Type II – Requires regular inspection and rearming to be reliable, not suitable for non-swimmers or activities with frequent water entry, and approved for adults only.
\nTYPE III PFD \u2013 Flotation Aid
\nGood for conscious users in calm inland water or where fast rescue is likely.
\nBenefits
\n\u2022 Generally the most comfortable for continuous wear
\n\u2022 Designed for general boating and designated activities marked on the device
\n\u2022 Available in many styles, including vests and flotation coats
\nConsiderations
\n\u2022 Inherently buoyant Type III\u2013 Wearer may have to tilt head back to avoid being submerges face-down. Not recommended for extended survival in rough water; wearer\u2019s face may often be covered by waves. Note to test non-swimmers with vests in water before boating
\n\u2022 Hybrid Type III \u2013 Needs regular inspection and rearming to be reliable
\n\u2022 Inflatable Type III \u2013 Requires regular inspection and rearming to be reliable, not suitable for non-swimmers, activities with frequent water entry, or long hours in rough water. Approved for adult wearers only.
\nTYPE IV PFD \u2013 Throwable Device
\nFunction as throwable devices and are not designed to be worn (Includes buoys, life rings, and boat cushions).
\nUse
\n\u2022 May be thrown from craft or land
\n\u2022 Provide back-up to wearable life jackets
\n\u2022 Some styles may be used as seat cushions
\nNotes:
\n\u2022 Place both arms throught he loops and hold tightly to your chest
\n\u2022 Practice throwing your Type IV device
\n\u2022 Cushions throw best underhand
\nTYPE V PFD \u2013 Special use devices
\nType V varieties include boardsailing vests, deck suits, pullover vests, work vests, some gybrid life jackets, inflatable life jackets with ISAF\/ORC harness and others. They are only appropriate for specific uses or conditions. Some Type V life jackets meet the U.S. Coast Guard\u2019s Carriage Regulations only if worn in accordance with the label.
\nBenefits
\n\u2022 Designed for specific activities \u2013 check label for limits of use
\n\u2022 Continuous wear prevents users from being caught without protection since most accidents occur suddenly
\nConsiderations
\n\u2022 Must be used in accordance with label directions for maximum effectiveness
\nNote: Inherently buoyant jackets and some Hybrid devices may be better suited for cool climates and seasons. Inflatable devices may require more than one operating step to function effectively and are only approved for persons 16 years or older.<\/p>\n

Try on your life jacket to see if it fits snugly. Then test it in shallow water to see how it performs.
\nTo check your life jacket\u2019s buoyancy, relax your body and tilt your head back. Make sure your life jacket keeps your chin above water and you can breathe easily.
\nBe aware that your life jacket may not act the same in swift or rough water as in calm water. Clothing and items in your pockets may also affect how your life jacket works.
\nIf your mouth is not well above the water, you need a life jacket with more buoyancy. Older life jackets may lose buoyancy over time and may have to be replaced.
\nLife jackets should not ride up on the body in the water. If a wearer\u2019s stomach is larger than the chest, ride-up may be necessary. Before use, test your life jacket to be sure that excessive ride-up does not impair its performance.
\nCaring For Your Life Jacket
\n1. Don\u2019t alter your life jacket. If your jacket does not fit, get one that does. An altered life jacket is no longer U.S. Coast Guard-approved and may not save your life.
\n2. Don\u2019t put heavy objects on your life jacket or use it for a kneeling pad or boat fender. Life jackets lose buoyancy when crushed.
\n3. Let your life jacket drip dry thoroughly before putting it away. Always stow it in a well-ventilated place.
\n4. Don\u2019t leave your life jacket on board for long periods when the boat is not in use.
\n5. Never dry your life jacket on a radiator, heater or any other direct heat source.<\/p>\n

Maintaining Inflatable Life Jackets
\nCheck your inflatable life jacket, including the buoyancy cell and inflation system, at least every 2 months, in addition to the following:<\/p>\n

1. If the life jacket does not have a cylinder seal indication, remove the cylinder, and check for puncture and rust.
\n2. Check all components for dirt or corrosion.
\n3. Check the mouth inflation valve for blockages and tears.
\n4. Store in a cool dry place.
\n5. Replace the bobbin on an automatic model every 12 months, unless specified otherwise.<\/p>\n

Scary Statistics
\n\u2022 70% of all boating fatality accidents result from drowning. Almost 90% of those who drown are not wearing a life jacket.
\n\u2022 9 out of 10 drownings occur in inland waters, most within a few feet of safety and involve boats under 20 ft. long.
\n\u2022 It can take 60 seconds for and adult to drown, and only 20 seconds for a child to drown.
\n\u2022 Most drowning victims had a life jacket available and chose not to wear it.<\/p>\n

Life Jacket Checklist<\/p>\n

When preparing an outing, ask the following:
\n\u2022 Do I have USCG approved life jackets?
\n\u2022 Have I selected the proper life jacket for my boating activity?
\n\u2022 Is my life jacket the right size according to the label, and does it fit correctly?
\n\u2022 Have I trial-tested my life jacket?
\n\u2022 Does my life jacket keep my chin above the water and allow me to breathe easily?
\n\u2022 If my life jacket is an inflatable, have I checked the status of the inflator and make sure that the CO2 cylinder is not punctured?
\n\u2022 If my life jacket is an inflatable, have I checked it for leaks in the last two months?
\n\u2022 Are my passengers\u2019 life jackets suitable and do they fit the same requirements listed above?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How many life jackets do you need? The United States Coast Guard requires USCG-approved life jackets on all recreational boats. The number and type depend on these 3 things: 1. Number of passengers aboard 2. The size and type of your boat 3. Your boating activities Life jackets are split into five categories. Depending on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":927,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[22,18,21,19,20,23,17,14,16,24,15],"class_list":["post-11","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-boat-safety","tag-best-life-jackets","tag-boating-safety","tag-cheap-life-jackets","tag-life-jacket-designs","tag-life-jacket-fitting","tag-life-jacket-guide","tag-life-jacket-safety","tag-life-jackets","tag-lifejacket","tag-mustang-life-jackets","tag-nboa-life-jackets"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nboa.largeinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nboa.largeinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nboa.largeinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nboa.largeinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nboa.largeinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nboa.largeinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nboa.largeinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/927"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nboa.largeinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nboa.largeinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nboa.largeinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}