Fishing Frenzy

If you own a boat, then you need to be intimately familiar with the laws regarding life jackets. Each person will usually need to have at the very least one USCG approved jacket while the boat is underway. If your vessel is longer than 16 feet, you will need to have a Type IV life jacket onboard. This law becomes nullified in the case of kayaks and canoes. It should be noted that children under 12 must always wear a UCSG approved life jacket in an underway vehicle.

If you wish, you can substitute and jacket on your boat with a type V so long as it is approved by the USCG. There are a few criteria for approval with the USCG, for example the vest needs to be marked clearly with a USCG approval number. You will also need to make sure the life jacket is in decent condition. Let's talk a bit about the different life jackets.

Type 1: This is your most basic flocation device. As a life vest these are excellent as they can turn the unconcious face up. They are a big bulky, but they will last for a significant amount of time.

Type 2: You will need to be prepared for fast rescue with this vest. An individual cannot be turned face up by this jacket which tends to create a problem. Jackets like this should be used by those in good shape or near shore.

Type 3: This type is a floatation aid and it works well in calm waters. They are full-sleeved vests, but they will not turn a person face up. Rough waters would be a bad venue for this type of life vest. These are most often used in water sports such as skiing or tubing. Jet skis are a great example as well.

Type 4: This is not your typical life vest. As a matter of fact it is simply a flotation device which can be tossed or thrown. There are only a few situations that call for these devices. If you have an individual falling off of your craft, you can use this device to guide someone in. You can usually find these beside lakes or on boats.

Type 5: This advanced type is used for many intense activities like windsurfing and even kayaking. Jackets like this must always be worn and used as their label describes.

Inflatable vests will require replacement parts once they are used. The general idea of course is that they will never actually be used, but when they are, it is possible to reinflate. Such parts can be obtained from a sporting goods store or online.

There are more than a few options in terms of life jackets and life jackets inflatable. If you want to use a boat or watercraft at any time in the future, make sure you have the right safety equipment.