AS SEEN IN THE MARCH/APRIL '07 ISSUE

“Wow! The seas are really kicking up! This thunderstorm is really, really bad. The boat is all over the place and it doesn’t look like there is any relief in sight. This would probably be a good time to put on a life jacket. But I don’t know, the darn thing is so big and bulky – plus it’s hot and it gets in my way. I guess I can always grab it if I need it.”

It’s unfortunate, but the above seems to be the general consensus when it comes time to put on life jackets. However, a new option exists - inflatable life vests. They are light, they are comfortable to wear and more importantly, they provide all of the safety and security of a standard foam-filled personal floatation device. To top it off, only minutes after putting them on, you completely forget that you are even wearing a life vest.

In reality, the question of “Should I wear my Life Vest,” really boils down to the simple fact that the vast majority of drowning victims were not wearing a PFD. The Coast Guard claims that if everyone on the water wore a personal floatation device, literally hundreds of lives would be spared. That fact alone should tell you that in order to prevent loss of life while on the water, everyone should wear a life vest and at all times. This is obviously easier said than it is to enforce.

In the last few years inflatable life vests have become increasingly popular. Consistent improvements to their design have left safe boaters with live saving equipment that is now lightweight, comfortable, easy to wear and even stylish. Inflatables are the choice of professionals in fishing tournaments and other aquatic events which require the participant to be wearing a life vest

Inflatable Options:
There are two basic designs to choose from when selecting an inflatable life vest. A Type III which provides a minimum of 22.5 lbs. of buoyancy, and the more popular Type II which provides a minimum of 34 lbs. of buoyancy. The more buoyancy the PFD has, the better it keeps your head above water in rough seas. Some manufacturers have Type III inflatable PFDs with the same higher buoyancy as the Type II. That is a good feature to look for.

Type II PFDs also are equipped with an automatic inflation valve. An automatic inflation valve does just that. It triggers the life vest to inflate upon submersion in water. This becomes a life saver if a person falls overboard and is stunned, dazed or worse yet, knocked unconscious. A Type II inflatable vest will automatically roll the victim over and hold their head up and out of the water. Even with a manual inflation valve, the Type III vest provides Type II performance in the water if it has the same higher 34 lbs. buoyancy as the Type II.

Fantastic Features:
One important factor to look for in a high quality Type II or Type III inflatable vest is a visible indication that the CO2 cylinder is in a ready condition. A small window on the front of the vest displays a Green “Go” or red “No-Go” indicator to ensure you that the cylinder is charged. The technical term is a “Single Point Status Indicator.” Less expensive vests without the window are classified as Type V even if they have the same buoyancy and performance as a Type II or Type III vest. On these Type V vests, the only way to check to see if the cylinder is fully charged is to unpack the vest and visually inspect the cylinder for a small green plastic breakaway tab or to look for a puncture hole. High quality vests also protect against the accidental installation of empty cylinders.

Prior to making your final purchasing decision, look for inflatable life vests with large patches of reflective tape which help locate someone in the water. The best vests also come equipped with a water activated beacon light which greatly assists finding a person at night when it is otherwise nearly impossible to locate someone in the rolling waves due to the lack of visibility. The addition of an approved whistle permits the victim in the water to be pro-active in their rescue.

The fit of the equipment is very important if we could ever hope that boaters will wear their vests. You may want to look for vests with 2” webbing instead of 1”. This means the vest will be twice as strong. Wider webbing also translates into a more comfortable fit as do double adjusters which do not leave a long strap hanging on one side where it may become an encumbrance. Corrosion resistant stainless steel hardware rather than plastic is also a sign of a long-lasting product.

An additional benefit of inflatable life vests is that when they are stored on the boat, they take up remarkably little space. It is not unusual to store eight inflatable vests in an area where you could only store two or three standard vests. This frees up some of the limited storage space we have on our boats.

It is legal to stow Type II and Type III PFDs even while underway, but it is safer to be wearing them. However, Type V PFDs without the indicator window are marked, “Approved only when worn” above the Coast Guard approval. This means Type V vests must to be worn at all times on the boat to count towards the number of vests you are required to carry, even if you are anchored and fishing in shallow water.

The latest options in quality built and ingeniously designed inflatable life vests offer comfort, mobility of movement and above all, safety! There are no more excuses not to wear a life vest. Remember, the life you save, may be your own!

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