According to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) regarding the replacement of life jackets and PFDs, their guidelines are: 1️⃣ Serviceable Condition: PFDs must be in a serviceable condition to be effective in an emergency. This means they should not show signs of deterioration or loss of integrity. 2️⃣ Signs for Replacement: PFDs should be…
Life jackets are, by definition, fairly simple things. But shop around for one, and you’ll quickly be overwhelmed by the choice on offer. So, when browsing for a PFD, consider the specific use, the environment in which you’ll be boating, and who will be wearing it. Life jackets come in various designs, each tailored to…
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…