Life jackets, life vests, ski vests…they’re all common names for PFDs, or personal flotation devices. Their job, as the names imply, is to keep the wearer alive and afloat should they unexpectedly end up in the water or elect to participate in watersports such as skiing or wake surfing. Although the goal might be simple, life jacket styles, fit and method of use can all affect whether your PFD does the job it’s intended for.
Jackets offer the greatest buoyancy (over 20 pounds) and are designed primarily for offshore use. They’re bulky to wear but have the distinct advantage of turning an unconscious person face up in the water.
Once you select the proper type of PFD for your conditions and/or activity, make sure it is in good condition, with no holes or tears, and fits properly. A jacket that is too large can slip off the wearer. One that is too small might not offer sufficient buoyancy to keep the wearer afloat.
Those that are worn all the time, sometimes over clothing. Here, the design goal is also that wearing them is moderately comfortable. Example users are sailors, and people doing certain water sports. This use is called preventative.
Those that are only worn on occasion: For example, those on planes, or on passenger ferrries. Usuallly they are designed so that they are easy to use (and quick to put on). This use is called interventative.
The degree to which a person's body is securely attached to the life jacket is referred to as attachment. If a person is wearing a life jacket, he should not be able to easily slip out of it. The attachment on a life jacket should be strong enough to keep a person firmly in place.
The flexibility of a life jacket refers to how well it conforms to a person's body. If a person wears the same type of life jacket repeatedly, it should be comfortable each time. A life jacket should also be flexible enough to allow a person to bend and stretch comfortably.
