How to Choose the Correct Life Jacket
Life Jackets or P.F.D. (Personal Flotation Devices)
There are five ratings or “Types” of PFD listed by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). They are as follows:
- Type I - Off shore vest: Provides the most buoyancy of any USCG type PFD and is the only vest designed to turn an unconscious person to a face-up position. They are ideal for remote or rough waters where the possibility of rescue may take some time. They are bulky and it is unlikely they would be used for recreational use such as waterskiing or wakeboarding.
- Type II - Near shore buoyancy vest: Designed to turn “some” unconscious persons to a face-up position. Intended for calm inland waters or where there is a good chance of a relatively quick rescue. Examples of these vests would the orange inexpensive vests most boaters have onboard.
- Type III - Flotation Aid: Designed so wearers can place “themselves” in a face-up position and would be ideal in situations where quick rescue is possible. This is the most common jacket used for recreational purposes such as; waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, inland fishing and general boating. The PFD's are not intended for rough water or the open sea. This vest comes in many different sizes, styles and colors. This type of vest is the most comfortable for continuous wear. Boater's Outlet has thousands of Type III ski vests in stock in a variety of colors and sizes.
- Type IV - Throwable Device: Designed to be thrown to a person in the water, grasped and held by the user until rescued. This type of flotation device is either a life ring (ring buoy) or a throwable cushion. Boater's Outlet stocks 20”, 24” and 30” ring buoys. In the Type IV cushions, we stock a variety of colors including: red, white, blue and camouflage.
- Type V - Special Use Device: Designed and approved only for activities listed on label. Such as commercial whitewater rafting, kayaking or canoeing.
A Closer look at Type III PFD
Since the most common PFD for water skiing, wake boarding, towable tubes, fishing and general boating is the Type III, we will talk a little more in depth about this type of ski jacket.
PFD Materials
P.E. and Ensolite Foam-The guts of the ski vest are shaped pieces of either Ensolite or P.E. foam. The P.E. foam is white, thinly layered pieces that are found in most ski jackets on the market today because of the relatively inexpensive cost. The drawback is that these layers can bunch up or roll inside the jacket over time. Ski Jackets with P.E. foam are generally a cheaper priced jacket. The layered foam ski vests are usually your only choice at a general sporting goods or a big box discounters stores. Ensolite foam is higher quality foam that is a single sheet that won't separate and resists losing it shape.
Ski Vest Exterior
Vinyl Ski Jackets - Years ago, this type of life vest construction was very popular. It is made with high quality Ensolite closed-cell foam that is hot-dipped in liquid vinyl for a shiny, tough finish. This ski jacket, which is still available, is loved by waterskiers because unlike the nylon covered ski jackets, when wet, they are not cold to the skin. Boater's Outlet stocks these vinyl ski jackets. Sizes available, Childs sizes are XS, SM & MD. Adult sizes are XS, SM, MD, LG, XL and XXL.
Nylon Life Vests - The nylon exterior life vest is the one most people are familiar with. Boater's Outlet has thousands of nylon ski jackets in stock in a variety of colors and sizes. Children’s sizes available are Infant, Child, Youth and Teen. Women's sizes are XS, SM, MD and LG. Men’s sizes are XS, SM, MD, LG, XL, XXL and XXXL.
Neoprene Life Vests - In our opinion, the neoprene life vest is the most comfortable and easiest P.F.D. to fit for our customers. Because of the stretchy “wetsuit material”, the wearer can buckle up just a little bit tighter, which is great for safety and also for the wearers comfort level. The neoprene ski vest is quickly becoming the ski jacket of choice. Boater's Outlet stocks an assortment of neoprene life jackets in different colors and sizes. Children's neoprene life jackets come in sizes Infant, Child, Youth and Teen. Women's neoprene life jackets come in sizes XS, SM, MD and LG. Men's neoprene life jackets come in sizes SM, MD, LG, XL, XXL and XXXL.
Look for the following ski jacket brands at Boater's Outlet: Ski Warm, Kent, Super Soft and Sub Zero.
Selecting the Correct Size Life Jacket
Be familiar with the sizing and how it works.
Adult (men & women) - Persons over 90 lbs and are fit by taking a measurement around the chest. For instance, a men's medium is generally 36” - 40” chest size. Women's medium is also 36” - 40”, but the ski jacket is about 2” shorter in length, since women tend to be slightly shorter.
Infant - Coast Guard Type II rating. Infant ski vests are rated up to 30 lbs, they have a support “pillow” and depending on the design, usually most or all the foam is removed from the back area. What this does is position the child face up with their head above the water. A safety strap is placed between the child's legs for extra security.
Note: An adult must be present and remain by the childs side to ensure their safety.
Child - Coast Guard Type II rating. Child ski vests are rated 30 lbs to 50 lbs, a safety strap is placed between the childs legs for extra security.
Note: An adult must be present and remain by the childs side to ensure their safety.
Youth - Coast Guard Type II rating. Child ski vests are rated 50 lbs to 90 lbs.
Note: An adult must be present and remain by the childs side to ensure their safety.
The ski jacket should not have any movement. If the jacket overlaps in the front, it is too big. Consider for a moment, your child is waterskiing and she loses control and goes into the water, if the ski jacket is too big, the ski jacket may come off. At Boater's Outlet, we like to do a small test. First buckle and/or zip the wearer completely up, then grab the ski jacket shoulders and try to lift them off the ground (kids love this). Did the ski jacket slide up? If it did, try the next smaller size. If there is a gap in the front of the ski jacket or the wearer is having a hard time breathing, it's probably too small, try the next size up and do the pull test method above
Parents please, do not get a size or two too big “because she will grow into it”. Not only is this thinking not safe, it's not legal.
Coast Guard approved PFD's of proper size, in serviceable condition, and readily available for each person aboard. All PFD's must be used in accordance with the age, weight activity, and use restrictions listed on the U.S. Coast Guard approval label. Excerpt “Highlights From Utah's boating Laws & Rules” Rev. 6/02
Slightly tight is better than too big.
Ski Belts
We also carry ski belts. They come in single and double belts and sizes SM, MD, LG and XL. Great for pool exercise.
Ski belts are not an approved Personal Flotation Device by the Coast Guard.
*Note: The items listed on this page are suggestions only! It is up to the individual(s) to make sure that they obey the law and to make sure the P.F.D. is properly sized, the appropriate PFD is used, and the PFD is in good condition. We highly recommend anyone who is going boating to have the local Coast Guard Auxiliary or similar agency to inspect all safety gear including his or her Personal Flotation Devices.