You love living life on the water, but your top priority should be safety. In the United States, the U.S. Coast Guard requires that all pleasure craft must carry at least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, or III personal watercraft life jacket of the appropriate size for each person aboard or towed. This can also include kayaks and canoes depending on your state specific requirements.
On BOATiD, we carry an extensive line of PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices) in the form of lifejackets, inflatable lifejackets, and vests, approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for specific activities which can be lightweight, comfortable, and provide mobility for the wearer. You should select the life jacket which is appropriate for the type of water conditions you will encounter and consider what will be comfortable to wear. These factors are important because a life jacket which is not worn provides no protection at the moment of crisis.
Classification Types
Using the Refine Search menu on the left side of the screen allows you to search for life jackets based on their U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Classification, or Type. We define these four types below.
Type I life jackets are rugged and durable life-saving devices designed for offshore, remote and harsh environments where rescue operations can be slow. They are often cumbersome to wear but have ability to roll an unconscious person face up in the water. You will see these mainly on commercial vessels or used on offshore boating trips. They provide maximum buoyancy of over 20 pounds to the wearer.
The Type II lifejacket is designed to provide sufficient buoyancy for rescue operations in calm waters, such as on lakes and close to shore where rescue is a shorter distance away. They are also designed to flip an unconscious person face up in the water. They typically provide buoyancy of 15.5 to 22 pounds depending on the manufacturer. They are approved for use on pleasure craft (ski boats, typical runabouts, canoes, kayaks, etc.) and many models can be found tailored to a specific activity like water skiing, fishing, kayaking and other watersports.
Type III life jackets are for wearers who are conscious and in calm waters. The type III jacket is not guaranteed to turn the unconscious wearer face up in the water. Often referred to as "ski jackets", their fit and style make them an excellent choice for water sports and general boating use. They typically provide buoyancy of around 22.5 pounds for the wearer.
Another popular option for comfort is the inflatable PFD or hybrid PFD. These types are intended to be activated with a CO2 inflation cartridge upon entry to the water either by a manual arming mechanism such as a pull cord or water sensor. This type of product is not recommended for individuals who may not be conscious. They are intended for situations where rescue is nearby and the wearer can try to swim to rescue with floatation assistance from the life jacket.
Type IV is a tossable device that can be thrown to an individual who has tumbled overboard. This can be in the form of a cushion, ring, or horseshoe. They are intended to provide rapid floatation support to an individual in case of emergency. This type of device must be readily available for use when an emergency situation arises. Storage in a locker under a lot of other gear is not considered readily available per the Coast Guard.
And don’t forget the safety of your beloved pets. Dog life jackets are available and are a must for any dogs on board. While dogs are great swimmers, they can get disoriented, swim in the wrong direction, and become fatigued. A day on your favorite waterway is all the better with your best canine friend along, but they deserve safety as well. Check out our wide selection of gear we have for them.
BOATiD carries all the above types of life jackets and more. We have a large selection of sizes and styles to meet your needs, and all at price points which will suit your wallet.
We sell many of the best-known and most-recognized brands including Datrex, First Watch, Kadematic, Kent, Mustang Survival, Onyx Outdoor, Seachoice, Spinlock, Stearns and Veleria San Giogio. With this amazing selection of marine parts, you are sure to find what you need for your boat at BOATiD!
