Boaters enjoy the feel of sun and spray. So it’s tempting to boat without wearing a life jacket — especially on nice days. But modern life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Many are thin and flexible. Some are built right into fishing vests or hunter coats. Others are inflatable — as compact as a scarf or fanny pack until they hit water, when they automatically fill with air. There’s no excuse not to wear a life jacket on the water!
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division wants you to know these things about life jackets:
- Certain life jackets are designed to keep your head above water and help you remain in a position that permits proper breathing.
- To meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements, a boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III or V life jacket for each person aboard. Boats 16 feet and longer must have at least one Type IV throwable device as well.
- All states have regulations regarding life jacket wear by children.
- Adult-sized life jackets will not work for children. Special life jackets are available. To work correctly, a life jacket must be worn, fit snugly and not allow the child’s chin or ears to slip through.
- Life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once each year. Waterlogged, faded or leaky jackets should be discarded.
- Life jackets must be properly stowed.
- A life jacket — especially a snug-fitting flotation coat or deck-suit style — can help you survive in cold water.
One-half of all recreational boating fatalities happen in calm water. These fatalities occur close to shore and are caused by drowning. Also, in most cases, life jackets are stowed on board but not worn. When a vessel is underway with children under 13 years old, they must be wearing a life jacket unless they are below deck or in an enclosed cabin. On some state waters this age requirement may vary. Boaters are encouraged to check with their respective state boating authority regarding these requirements.
If a life jacket fits properly, it will keep your head above water. Too big, and the life jacket will ride up around your face. Too small, it will not be able to keep your body afloat.
Try it on for size
1. Check the manufacturer’s label to ensure the life jacket is a proper fit for your size and weight.
2. Make sure the jacket is properly fastened.
3. Hold your arms straight up over your head.
4. Ask a friend to grasp the tops of the arm openings and gently pull up.
5. Make sure there is no excess room above the openings and the jacket does not ride up over your chin or face.
The U.S. Coast Guard recommends and many states require wearing life jackets for water skiing and other towed activities (use a life jacket marked for water skiing), while operating personal watercraft (use a life jacket marked for water skiing or personal watercraft use), during whitewater boating activities and while sailboarding (under federal law, sailboards are not “boats”). Federal law does not require life jackets on racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes and racing kayaks; state laws vary. Check with your state boating safety officials.
For more information, visit www.uscgboating.org or call (202) 372-1261
