Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The Life Jacket Policy

By Robert Cliford


If you have a boat of any kind, then you need to know the various life jacket laws. Most veseels will need to have at least One USCG approved life jacket per person. For vessels longer than 16 feet, a Type IV life jacket must be provided. This law becomes nullified in the case of kayaks and canoes. If the vehicle is underway, children under the age of 12 will always need to wear their life jacket.

If you wish, you can substitute and jacket on your boat with a type V so long as it is approved by the USCG. There are a few different criterial for approval, for example the vest must be marked with a USCG approval number. The life jacket will also need to be in good condition. Let's talk a bit about the different life jackets.

Type 1: For flotation, these are excellent. As a life vest these are excellent as they can turn the unconcious face up. Even though they can be awkward to wear, they last for a considerable amount of time.

Type 2: You will need to be prepared for fast rescue with this vest. An individual cannot be turned face up by this jacket which tends to create a problem. Jackets like this should be used by those in good shape or near shore.

Type 3: This floatation aid works in calm waters. They are full-sleeved vests, but they will not turn a person face up. Rough waters would be a bad venue for this type of life vest. Water sports would definitely be the venue for this vest. They might also be used on jet skis.

Type 4: This is not your typical life vest. As a matter of fact it is simply a flotation device which can be tossed or thrown. There are only a few situations that call for these devices. If you have an individual falling off of your craft, you can use this device to guide someone in. You can usually find these beside lakes or on boats.

Type 5: This advanced type is used for many intense activities like windsurfing and even kayaking. They should be worn at all times, and they must be used in accordance with their label.

Inflatable vests will require replacement parts once they are used. Though you don't want to use the vest, you can at least effect repairs when you do use them. Such parts can be obtained from a sporting goods store or online.

There are more than a few options in terms of life jackets and life jackets inflatable. Having the right safety equipment is necessary any time you want to operate a watercraft.




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