Life Jacket Requirements

Life Jackets Float, You Don't! Drowning is the No. 1 cause of death in boating accidents, and 90 percent of the people who drowned weren't wearing a life jacket. Are you wearing yours? In 2008 eleven children under age thirteen lost their lives while boating, of those 63% died from drowning.

Use only life jackets and life preservers that have a label indicating that they are tested by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and approved by the US Coast Guard (USCG). Life jackets are labeled by type (1, 2, 3, 4) or (I, II, III, IV) and designate for whom they are designed to fit (child or adult).

Inflatable Life Vests

Inflatable life vest's must be USCG approved and all status indicators must be green to satisfy the onboard PFD requirement. Remember to pay careful attention to the condition and inspect the device at least once a year. Inflatable life vest's are not allowed to be worn by people under 16 years old.

Youth Life Vest

Children under the age of 13 are required by Federal Law to wear a life vest at all times unless below decks or in a closed cabin. Please check with your local authorities. Make sure the life vest is the right size for the child. To check, put the life vest on the child, then attempt to lift the child by the jacket shoulders. If the jacket comes up 3 inches or more before it lifts the child, then it is too big. A child's PFD should also have a crotch strap, lifting ring and a flotation collar. It should always be worn as instructed with all straps belted. Remember, life jackets and life preservers should never be substitutes for adult supervision. Blow-up water wings, toys, rafts, and air mattresses should never be used as life jackets or life preservers, they are not safe!

Pet Life Jackets

Pets should also be considered for floatation devices. It is not uncommon for a pet to fall overboard, become disorientated and swim away from the boat or in circles. Drowning can occur once the pet has tired.

All PFD’s must be USCG approved, in good serviceable condition and the appropriate size for the intended person. An adult PFD on a child could force the face under water and a child’s PFD on an adult will not give sufficient buoyancy. It is vital that the PFD be available and ready to put on quickly in case of an emergency. The PFD’s should be readily accessible (do not store in locked compartments or under other gear). Remember to remove the plastic bag the PFD came in. Throwable devices must not be stored; they must be available for immediate use in case someone goes overboard.

Most states require wearing a life vest while being towed such as water skiing, wake boarding and tubing or while riding a personal watercraft (PWC). Use life vest's marked for these particular activities. White water rafting and sail boarding may also require the use of life vests, please check with your local authorities.