Coast Guard Life Jackets Are Certified For Offshore Boating

The life jackets you buy for your boat need to be Coast Guard Life Jackets, which means they must contain a tag stating they have been certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. An inflatable PFD is a personal flotation device designed to keep your head above water and save your life until help arrives.

The average adult only needs between 7 and 12 pounds of artificial buoyancy to remain afloat. The offshore life jacket certified by the Coast Guard has 22 pounds of buoyancy and is the perfect PFD to use if you are in a remote area. The inflatable life jacket is an indispensable part of all safety equipment on any boat.

In order for your inflatable life jacket to serve the intended purpose of saving lives, you need to look after it and keep it in good condition. The PFD should always be left to dry in the air before you put it away. You also need to check it at least every six months for any signs of tears, mould or mildew. The straps on a Coast Guard certified life jacket need to be adjustable so that you can tighten it around your waist. In your routine check, make sure the straps are in good condition.

Click Here for a Great Selection of Inflatable Boats

In order to meet the requirements of the Coast Guard boating regulations you must have a PFD for each person on board your boat. The life jackets can be inflatable flotation devices, near shore or offshore personal flotation devices. If your boat is over 16 feet long you also have to have boating accessories such as a throwable life saving device or life ring.

Personal flotation devices or PFD are very important should you get thrown into the water. Even if you can swim, accidents do happen and you may be unconscious. The offshore and nearshore life jackets save lives by turning your face up. Any inflatable device certified by the Coast Guard will keep your head above water allowing you to breathe until you can be rescued.

Return to Boating Safety Courses

Return from Coast Guard Life Jackets to the Inflatable Boats N' Kayaks Home Page