How to Choose the Right Life Jackets, Vests & PFDs

When trying to decide what life jackets and personal floatation devices to have onboard, it can get a bit confusing. Safety is at the heart of these decisions so it’s understandable that you want to be sure of exactly what you need before making a decision. This guide lays out the differences between the two and what kind of devices you want to have onboard for different scenarios.

What’s the Difference Between a Life Jacket and a Personal Flotation Device?

While these terms are used sometimes interchangeably, this is a common misconception as there are actually different specifications for lifejackets and personal flotation devices (PFDs). Life jackets offer a higher level of protection than PFDs, but are less comfortable and stylish. Life jackets come in orange, red, and yellow with reflective stripes on them and are designed to turn the person wearing it face up in the water.

There are two types of PFDs - wearable and throwable. Wearable PFDs are used more commonly for general wear and are more comfortable and stylish. They do not usually have the same level of protection since most do not flip the person face up in the water and they are harder to see, but for constant wear and watersports they tend to be the go-to. Throwable PFDs are portable floatable devices (such as a ring) and are used more so for emergency situations.

Who Needs a Life Jacket or PFD?

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, everyone on the boat must have a life jacket or PFD onboard and accessible that fits them properly. To put it simply, you should have as many life jackets/PFDs on board as there are people. Depending on your state, children under a certain age may be required to wear a life jacket or PFD the entire time they are on board.

How to Fit for a Life Jacket or PFD

It is extremely important to find a life jacket/PFD that fits you properly. If it is too loose, it can come up over your head and if it is too tight it can restrict your movements and make it hard for you to breathe. When you try your life jacket on dry it should feel pretty snug since they will stretch out when they get wet. It should feel slightly hard to breathe, but also not restrict your movements too much. Another thing to help determine if it is too tight is it should be able to easily zip up.

Types of PFDs Approved by U.S. Coast Guard

• Type I: Large and uncomfortable but keep the person wearing it higher in the water with 22 pounds of buoyancy. These are required on commercial vessels, but not recommended for recreational use.
• Type II: These are the basic orange life jackets with a single strap and buckle that offer 15.5 pounds of buoyancy. They are inexpensive and don’t take up too much room.
• Type III: More comfortable, available in multiple styles and offers up to 15.5 pounds of buoyancy. These are what you typically think of when you think of a life jacket/PFD and used in multiple styles of boating including kayaks, watersports, and sailing.
• Type IV: These are throwable PFDs and are required to be carried on board by all boats 16 feet and longer in addition to a life jacket per person. These are used in emergency situations when you need to be able to throw someone a floatation device for safety.
• Type V: These include a variety of special use PFDs that require knowledge on how to use them. An example would be inflatable PFDs with a harness.

What Type of PFD Should You Get?

Watersports

For watersport activities such as tubing, skiing, and wakeboarding you have to ensure your life jacket is secure. There is a risk of hitting the water at high speeds in these activities, so a belted vest works best for watersports. Having three or four belts securing your vest helps ensure it will stay on your body even if you hit the water at a high speed. Some specific vests have a “watersports” label to help you find the right one.

Recreational Boating

Most recreational boaters prefer a life jacket that provides freedom of movement and is comfortable and stylish. An inflatable or belted PFD is usually recommended to ensure safety and comfort. While a Type II PFD would work, they are bulkier and not very comfortable which is why most recreational boaters opt for a Type III.

Sailing and Paddlesports

A zippered and comfortable life jacket is recommended for sailing and paddlesports such as kayaking and canoeing. It should fit snugly but still allow a wide range of movement. There are specially designed PFDs for these activities that have larger arm holes to prevent chafing since there is a lot of arm movement.

Fishing

There are special vests made for anglers with pockets that allow them to keep smaller things such as lures or other gear on hand at all times. However, if you are planning on fishing on a high-speed bass boat, you need to have a more similar PFD to the recommended type for watersports to protect you from high impact.

Offshore Sailing

Offshore sailing can be dangerous and there are specific PFDs that these sailors should use. It is recommended to have an inflatable life vest with a safety harness for these kinds of adventures. These will only inflate once fully submerged, so it allows freedom of movement while also increasing safety.

Stay Safe on the Water with the Right Life Jacket, Life Vest, or PFD

In general, Type III PFDs are the most popular. Remember to make sure they fit snug and keep in mind that they will expand a bit once they get wet. No matter what kind of water activities you embark on, there is a PFD for you - ensuring you get the right type is crucial to providing you safety.