If lifejackets are not taken care of, they can become dysfunctional, and their performance is affected. In addition, they can become unsafe to rely on as personal flotation devices should you end up in the water, creating a dangerous situation. Regular maintenance not only preserves the integrity of the lifejacket, but it is also a…
A personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket that is well cared for can last many years, but how do you know if it’s time to replace it? Generally, a PFD or lifejacket with rips, cuts, or tears must be replaced. A foam lifejacket should also be replaced if it has areas that are compressed or…
This article is designed to help you choose the most suitable life jacket appropriate for your activities on the water. I break down the factors that must be considered and provide a list to help narrow down the selection. With all the different categories and types, choosing an appropriate life jacket is akin to walking…
People stranded on a boat or life raft can survive several days longer than the poor souls stuck in the water with just a life jacket. The supplies you have with you also determine how long you can hold out before being rescued. The human body can survive for an impressive two to three months…
The best place to store life jackets and PFDs is on the top deck of a boat in storage bags and marine nets underneath T-tops and hardtops. This can be in clear carry bags or boat kits and storage nets affixed to the hull, bow, or cockpit on the top deck. Life jackets and Personal…
While the best thing to do is discard your torn life jacket and replace it, this isn’t always possible. You may need to save up or wait for the trip to end before you can get a new one. Whichever dilemma pertains to your situation, it is always good to have a plan B. Any…
A buoyancy aid is designed to assist someone who can swim, reducing the effort needed to keep the person afloat. Life jackets are designed to get a submerged person back to the water surface without any effort from that person. Higher-level lifejackets are also designed to roll the victim over and enable them to breathe…
At the risk of sounding too cliche, the best life jacket for sailing is the one you wear. Unfortunately, no matter how feature-rich a life jacket is, it’s no good stuffed away in a locker when it’s needed most. The sailing life jacket you invest in must be comfortable. And while several other considerations should…