Community Corner
Shopping for the Right Vest
Water lovers should be thinking about shopping for this important safety requirement as they prepare for summer.
Soon many of us will be spending our weekends on the boat or at the beach and all will be right with the world again. As we ready our vessels for the spring launch, we should take some time to look over safety equipment, including life jackets.
Maryland law states that “All children under the age of 13 must WEAR a United States Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (life jacket - Type I, II, III or V) while underway on a recreational vessel under 21 feet in length on Maryland waters.” (Just to clarify, this does not apply when your boat is at anchor or if the child is below the decks.)
PFDs are also required for jet skiers, tubing, waterskiing, and all tow-behind activities. While this may cramp the style of many young boaters, it is a pretty laid back regulation overall. With such a wide variety of life jackets available, there is no reason why all boaters cannot find a vest that suits them well enough to wear at all times.
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Type I life jackets are not commonly seen on boaters in this area. These vests are extremely buoyant and often have reflective patches to ease rescue efforts. Many have some level of insulation and they will turn an unconscious victim’s face upward. These vests are designed for scenarios that we would all prefer to avoid, though they are necessary gear for offshore boating. A number of manufacturers make these vests, but they are not usually available at most marine supply stores. If you are in need of this type of PFD, order them online or through your local chandlery.
Type II life jackets are those bright orange, round the neck contraptions found in the lower bilges of most family boats. They are designed for longer use in situations where a rescue might take time. Brightly colored and easily put on, Type II PFDs will turn an unconscious victim face up in the water. Though these inexpensive vests provide excellent floatation, they are not the type of PFD that you want to wear on a Saturday afternoon joyride. They are bulky, uncomfortable, and ugly to wear. However their durability, price, and design make them ideal to keep on your boat to maintain legality.
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West Marine offers packages of four and six of these vests stacked conveniently into a zippered fabric case. This case can be placed into your cabin or suspended from your bimini. Many stores such as Wal-mart and Dick’s Sporting Goods pair recreational vests with Scooby Doo, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Disney Princess motifs to appeal to children. Kids vests also often feature a strap running between the legs and a handle behind the neck for easy overboard retrieval.
Type III life jackets are the easiest to talk people into wearing. Besides looking sporty, these jackets are comfortable, none restrictive, and provide enough floatation to make waterfront fun quite a bit safer. Type III vests are the best for watersports like skiing, kayaking, sailing, and fishing. They are available in a ton of colors and shapes. The best local selection is at Annapolis Performance Sailing in Eastport.
Notable models include the Betsea by Stohlquist, which is designed for a woman’s body and provides good coverage for those hot days when you just want to wear the vest over your swimsuit. Kayakers like the Orbit Tour by Kokatat because it sits up high on your body and allows for the greatest range of motion. Another great vest and a favorite of anglers is the NRS Chinook Mesh Back vest, which has a vented back and plenty of storage pockets. The Chinook is available at Annapolis Canoe and Kayak.
Type IV PFD’s are “throwable” but not wearable. These are essential equipment on most boats and are tossed to a victim in the water. Though many have straps or clips in their design, they are not safe to be worn on the chest or back and do not meet the DNR requirement.
Type V vests are for specialty use. These include the coats with floatation worn by the Coast Guard in cold weather and the inflatable vests favored by single handed boaters. Some boaters prefer inflatable life vests such as the Hydrostatic Inflatable PFD by Mustang. These vests contain an air bladder that automatically inflates when it is submerged in water. They are great but once the vest has inflated, it will require maintenance to replace the air cartridge. Not the best vest for someone who likes to jump overboard for a swim.
The most important thing to remember when shopping for a vest is to make sure that the fit is correct. A PFD should be snug and should not shift when lifted by the shoulder straps. If you are looking for a vest for a child or for someone that will wear it often, make sure they are able to try it on for fit.
Additionally, life vests are available for the furry member of your family, too. Outward Hound makes a very high quality affordable doggie vest that features a floating chin rest, lifting handle, and bone shaped reflectors. It is available at Petsmart.
For the rest of us, I recommend checking out the selections at West Marine in Annapolis, Annapolis Canoe and Kayak, and Annapolis Performance Sailing both in Eastport. Happy sails to you!