How to Select the Right Life Jacket – Life Jacket Guide

August 5, 2024 Published: July 30, 2024 29

When selecting a life jacket, you want to keep both your comfort and safety in mind. You need to know how your life jacket, life vest or inflatable PFD (personal flotation device) works, as well as how to read the label.

Thankfully, modern life vests and jackets are more comfortable, lightweight and stylish than the bulky orange style of the past. Life jackets that use inflatable PFD technologies are cool and comfortable, take up very little space nor restrict movement, and automatically inflate when submersed in the water.

The following guide will help you select your life jacket, highlighting some important points that you may not be aware of when making your choice.

Note: Most boaters are required to have a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket on board for every person on their boat. Boating safety advocates recommend all boaters and passengers to wear them at all times while boating. There are no seat belts on a boat. Accidents happen fast and allow for little time to reach and put on a life jacket.

Get to Know Newtons – Buoyancy Numbers

The performance level is measured in newtons. This is a measurement of gravitational force, which in the case of a life jacket is essentially buoyancy. Simply put, the higher the number, the greater the flotation. A lower level number offers more mobility, comfort, and style with good flotation, intended for near shore (calm water) activities. The higher level number offers greater flotation, turning, and stability in the water. These are intended for offshore activity, and when more time is needed in rescue situations.

Time to rescue is important. If you’re boating near shore, 50 newtons should be fine. If boating offshore, you would want to consider a 150 newton rating. However, if boating near shore, in an area where rescue is hours away, a higher level jacket may be necessary. For the time being, most all of the life jackets being sold in the US are 70 newtons.

Understanding the Life Jacket Label

Using the label below, you’ll see size specifications outlining the minimum weight and chest size to use the jacket, as well as the newton rating (70).

Regarding the warning icons below:

The curved arrow indicates the turning ability of the life jacket. Turning ability is whether or not the jacket can turn an unconscious person face up, unassisted. If there is no slash, it will turn most wearers face up. The higher the level number the more turning ability.
This particular life jacket is not approved for operating a personal watercraft such as a jet ski or wave runner, nor is it approved for towing sports such as tubing, water skiing or wakeboarding, or whitewater paddle sports.

Life Jacket Manufacturer & Certification

This label confirms that your life jacket is approved by the USCG to meet carriage requirements. You’ll find this information, as well as testing approval numbers and manufacturer information on this section of the label.

You will also find a label with care and maintenance instructions.

Which Life Jacket or Life Vest Would Be Right For Me?

Ask yourself the following questions to help select the proper life jacket for you

Boating offshore or in potentially rough water?

Offshore Life Jacket

Designed to turn an unconscious person face-up
Brightly colored
Higher newton rating for more buoyancy

Using a personal water craft or enjoying towing and water sports?

Life Vest

Inherently buoyant
Close fitting
Multiple fasteners
Designed for comfort and range of motion

Fishing? Hunting? In cold water?

Hunting or Fishing Vest or PFD

Designed for comfort and range of motion
Available in camouflage colors for waterfowl hunting
Plenty of pockets

Life Jacket and Inflatable PFD Maintenance Pointers

A life jacket can serve you for many years if properly cared for and stored. Make sure to:

Dry life jackets completely after each use
Hand wash with mild soap & water
Store in a dry place when not boating
Ensure the USCG label is never removed, and is legible
If your life jacket becomes torn, waterlogged, buckles or zippers break, or smells of mildew, it’s time to get a new life jacket.
Inflatable PFDs use compressed air, or CO2 cartridges to inflate. Ensure you have the right cartridge for your jacket / PFD, check the cartridge for corrosion and always carry a spare rearming kit in the event of an unexpected inflation.

Where to Buy

We carry life vests, life jackets and inflatable PFDs from major brands in the industry, Mustang Survival, Revere Survival and Lalizas Lifesaving. See here!: Life Vests and Inflatable PFDs

Have a good one!