There’s a Reason They Call
‘Em “Life Jackets”
We’re often asked, “What’s the best
life jacket?” The best answer we can give is, “The one you’re
wearing when you need it.” And you’re much more likely to
be wearing it if it fits well and is comfortable enough to wear all
day while you’re on the water. We carry a wide array of models
to ensure there’s a good fit for all body types and builds.
Even if you’re a good swimmer, a life jacket
(often referred to as a PFD, for Personal Flotation Device) gives you
that extra margin of safety while boating. Especially in aerated whitewater
or when the water is cold, a properly chosen and fitted PFD can literally
be the difference between life and death.
Most adults in a bathing suit need seven to 12 pounds
of extra flotation to keep their head out of the water. The US Coast
Guard specifies a minimum of 15-½ pounds flotation in an adult
PFD. If you’re a swimmer and comfortable in the water, a jacket
with 16-18 pounds of design flotation should be fine for you. If you’re
a non-swimmer, you may feel more secure in a higher flotation model,
one in the 22-27 pound range. The more muscle you have, the more flotation
you need.
The more flotation in a jacket, the higher you float
and the faster you pop to the surface. However, that additional flotation
makes the jacket bulkier and possibly less comfortable. Again, finding
a PFD you’re comfortable in is the most important criteria. All
our jackets exceed the Coast Guard flotation minimum. The highest flotation
jacket in the world won’t do you any good if you’re not
wearing it when it’s needed!
In addition to flotation, here are a few things to
look for when choosing your PFD:
- Multiple adjustment points help in customizing the fit to your
body. Start with the lowest adjustment point, generally at the waist,
and then work up the jacket tightening them in turn, the shoulder
straps last. It needs to fit snugly, so it doesn’t slip over
your head when you enter the water.
- Large armholes allow for active movement in rowing and paddling.
- Lash tabs and other attachment points for securing a knife, strobe
or other accessory to the outside of the jacket.
- Pockets for stowing articles you want easy access to.
- Reflective tape or piping on touring jackets to make you more visible
to motorized craft.
- If you have a kayak seat back that interferes with your PFD, look
for a model with reduced foam thickness or mesh in the lower back
of the jacket.
- Bright colors make you more visible.
Children’s bodies are tricky to fit with a PFD; to work right
it must fit snugly. To check for a good fit, carefully pick the child
up by the shoulders of the PFD. If the PFD fits right, the child's chin
and ears will not slip through. A jacket with leg straps helps prevent
ride-up, giving an extra measure of safety.
So, get a good fitting PFD and wear it while you’re on the water.
If you have questions, give us a call at
1.877.677.4327!
or drop us an e-mail at
service@nrsweb.com
.
Coast Guard Approval Ratings:
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Provides the most buoyancy. It is effective
for all waters, especially open, rough or remote waters where
rescue may be delayed. It is designed to turn most unconscious
wearers in the water to a face-up position.
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Intended for calm, inland water or where there
is a good chance of quick rescue. Inherent buoyant PFDs of this
type will turn some unconscious wearers to a face-up position
in the water, but the turning is not as pronounced as a Type I.
This type of inflatable turns as well as a Type I foam PFD.
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Type III -
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Good for conscious users in calm, inland water,
or where there is a good chance of quick rescue. It is designed
so wearers can place themselves in a face-up position in the water.
The wearer may have to tilt their head back to avoid turning face-down
in the water. The Type III foam vest has the same minimum buoyancy
as a Type II PFD. It comes in many styles, colors, and sizes and
is generally the most comfortable type for continuous wear. Float
coats, fishing vests, and vests designed with features suitable
for various sports activities are examples of this type PFD. This
type inflatable turns as well as a Type II foam PFD.
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Type IV -
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Intended for calm, inland water with heavy
boat traffic, where help is always present. It is designed to
be thrown to a person in the water and grasped and held by the
user until rescued -- It is not designed to be worn. Type IV devices
include buoyant cushions, ring buoys, and horseshoe buoys. There
are no inflatable Type IV devices.
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Type V -
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Intended for specific activities and may be
carried instead of another PFD only if used according to the approval
condition(s) on its label. A Type V PFD provides performance of
either a Type I, II, or III PFD (as marked on its label). If the
label says the PFD is "approved only when worn" the
PFD must be worn, except for persons in enclosed spaces and used
in accordance with the approval label, to meet carriage requirements.
Some Type V devices provide significant hypothermia protection.
Varieties include deck suits, work vests, and board sailing vests.
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Type III/V -
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Multi-Purpose Commercial Vests. |
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