Sailing Life Jackets – Three Types of Lifejacket for Three Purposes

 

The most important accessories boaters should have aboard are sailing life jackets. You should use an offshore sailing jacket if you frequently take your sailboat out on the ocean. However, the classic life jacket for adults and children is often referred to as the near shore survival jacket. These are three different types of lifejacket you should add to your sailing gear to improve water safety.

 

 

Type II or near-shore buoyancy sailing life jackets are intended for use in calmer waters. These sailing jackets will turn some unconscious wearers face-up and are designed for waters where there is the likelihood of a rapid rescue.

 

 

Sailors can also use Type III or flotation aids. Type III is the most common personal flotation device (PFD) used by boaters. It does not give face protection to an unconscious wearer, but the design otherwise offers the same flotation as Type II.

 

 

Sometimes referred to as an inflatable PFD, an inflatable life vest can be a superb alternative to a conventional lifejacket in many applications. These types of sailing life jackets are easier to wear, and allow for more movement. You can choose a manually or automatically inflatable life vest, or a belt pack inflatable PFD. Even in hot weather, inflatable life jackets are comfortable and lightweight to wear, and they have a supple, low profile that won’t get in the way of your sailing.

 

As is often said, the best sailing life jackets are the ones you wear. Always wear your lifejacket while on the water, because it would be difficult to get it on during the heat of an emergency, especially if you’re unconscious. Many strong swimmers drown each year because they do not wear a life jacket on the water. Every passenger on your boat should wear a life jacket, including your dogs, to prevent accidents from becoming tragedies.