Life Jacket Safety
A life jacket is the single most important piece of equipment on your boat. It is important to be sure you have an adequate amount of flotation devices on your boat before taking to the water.
Florida is the countries number one boating destination. With that being said, it is important to take adequate and necessary safety precautions before taking to the waterways. According to the U.S. Coast Guard “There is no excuse not to wear a life jacket on the water!”. Life jackets come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Many are thin and flexible and some are cumbersome and bulky. Some are even built right into fishing vests or hunting coats.
Life Jacket Facts:
- Life jackets should be tested for buoyancy at least once a year.
- It is important that when not in use, life jackets are properly stowed.
- Boats 16 feet and less are required to have at least one type of IV throwable device as well as adequate life jackets.
- Life jackets are designed to keep your head above water which allows for proper breathing. This will prevent drowning if knocked unconscious.
In order to meet the U.S. Coast Guard requirements, a boat must have U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets for every person aboard the vessel.
A life jacket could save your life. More than two-thirds of all boating related fatalities are drowning related and 9 out of 10 drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. The coast guard recommends and requires life jackets for the following water going activities:
- For water skiing and other towed activities (Tubing, wake boarding, wake surfing, etc.)
- While operating a PWC
- Required while sailboarding
- During white water boating activities (this is not a Florida based activity)
To learn more about life jacket safety visit the U.S. Coast Guards Website by clicking here.
