Motorboat & Yachting: Buying the Right Life Jacket

Life jackets have evolved drastically over the years to better save lives. They come in a variety of models suited for your boating lifestyle. With this in mind, here is a list of 12 key questions to ask before buying your life jacket.

1. Does it have a sprayhood?

You may be floating, but this feature has the potential to save you from drowning from spray inhalation.

2. Is there a safety harness?

Useful for hauling you back on board, but also for keeping you there in the first place.

3. Plastic or metal buckle?

Metal buckles are stronger, but plastic buckles are easier and quicker for cold fingers to operate.

4. 150N or 275N?

275N is only strictly essential if you’re going to be wearing clothing that has its own buoyancy.

5. What about a hanging loop?

Invaluable if you don’t want your life jacket to permanently fester in the bottom of a smelly locker.

6. Are there any pockets?

A rarity, but extremely useful if your life jacket closes off access to your usual oilskin pockets.

7. Automatic or manual firing?

Automatic may appear the safer bet, but manual may be appropriate for some watersports fanatics.

8. Is there a safety window?

A clear window allows the red/green firing mechanism and gas cylinder indicators to be checked every time you go afloat.

9. Does it have AIS or PLB?

High-end life jackets increasingly have integral AIS or PLB available as optional extras. Some auto-activate when the life jacket is inflated.

10. Do you get a whistle and a light?

Either device could save your life, especially at night.

11. Are there any kill-cord loops?

This is fairly self-explanatory: the loops can also be useful for attaching gloves etc.

12. How comfortable is it to wear?

This can be different for men and women so don’t assume all of your crew will have the same preference.

Conclusions

Life jackets have significantly evolved in recent years and are better equipped to save your life in an emergency situation.

The simpler life jackets are sleeker and more stylish, and therefore far more likely to be worn in the first place, and the top-end products bristle with new refinements.

Details such as pockets and kill-cord loops just make life easier, others like integral AIS and visible green (all okay) and red (not working) indicators may well be the difference between life and death, so choose carefully.

Source: Dave Marsh, Motorboat & Yachting