How to Choose the Right Life Jacket or Personal Flotation Device
When it comes to operating personal watercraft, a boat, or even water skis, wearing a life jacket is paramount to your safety. A life jacket is a vital piece of safety equipment for all riders, regardless of swimming abilities. They are designed to help keep the user afloat for extended periods of time and in a multitude of weather conditions.
So what’s the best jet ski life jacket?
When it comes to choosing the right life jacket it is important to know what is available and how they apply to the type activities you are performing. Here are the basic types of life jackets and portable flotation devices that you will need to know so that you can make the best decision about which one to use.
Types of Life Jackets
There are five types of life jackets and flotation devices that are available. Each type has its own specific use and is designed to meet a particular set of parameters when in the water.
Type 1: This is the Offshore Life Jacket designed for the open sea or remote bodies of water where rescue may be slow in coming. This type of jacket is designed to keep you afloat for a very long time so you can conserve energy while awaiting rescue.
The advantages of the Type 1 include being the best flotation device of all the different types of life jackets. It also has the ability to turn you face up in the water when you are unconscious and they are usually made with bright, highly visible colors so that you can be spotted from a long way away.
About the only disadvantage is that it is rather bulky and some may find it a little constricting in terms of their movements, but this is a minor consideration when you take into account its intended use.
Type 2: This is a Near Shore Buoyant Vest designed for rivers, streams and lakes where the chance for a rescue is quick. As with the Type 1, many of these jackets will turn you face up in case you are unconscious and it is less bulky as well, making it easier to move around.
However, this type of life jacket is not well suited for rough water conditions and there are many versions that will not turn the wearer face up which can be quite problematic if they are unconscious.
Type 3: Also called a Flotation Device, this is essentially a stripped down version of the Type 2 which is design for water areas where the chance of being rescued is quite quick. Of all the types of life jackets, this is the most comfortable to wear and is designed to be very flexible when operating a Jet Ski, motor boat or water skiing when you need the room to move around. Plus, it is available in many different styles that include vests and flotation coats.
However, it’s ability to keep you afloat does take a little work as you may have to tilt back your head in order to keep from going face down in the water. It does not work very well in rough water either, as the waves tend to wash over the face of the wearer.
The Type 4 is a Throw-able flotation device, such as a ring attached to a rope, that is excellent for rescuing someone who is drowning, but very poor as a flotation device that will last for very long out in the water.
The Type 5 is a Special Use Device that is designed for specific activities and may be better suited for cooler climate conditions. Plus, they are generally not nearly as good as the types 1, 2 and 3 when it comes to personal flotation.
So, with the different types of life jackets that are available, which one is best when you go out on your Jet Ski? The answer is more along the lines of where you operate your personal watercraft and not the type of Jet Ski that you are using.
Best Jet Ski Life Jacket
The best jet ski life jacket will be the one that is best suited for the environment that you are currently enjoying. Obviously, you want the best life jacket possible under any circumstances which offer you the best chance of survival.
Open Water: The Type 1 is generally the best if you are operating your Jet Ski in open water conditions such as well offshore in the ocean when help will not arrive very quickly. The Type 1 provides the best flotation possible and will help keep your face above the water during rough seas even when you are unconscious.
Close to Shore: Here, a Type 1 or a Type 2 is well suited if rescue is close at hand in case something goes wrong. Admittedly, many Jet Skiers will prefer the Type 2 because it is far less bulky and is perfectly suitable for the maneuvering that needs to be done on this device. A Type 3 is probably a little too risky given the types of accidents that may occur on a Jet Ski.
When it comes to choosing from the different types of life jackets, especially when operating a personal watercraft device, you will want to choose one that fits snugly, but does not restrict your movements in such a way that it becomes a burden to wear. You’ll also want to have it in bright colors such as yellow or orange that can easily be spotted from a considerable distance away.
When it doubt, choose a Type 1 jacket as the best Jet Ski life jacket available even though it is somewhat bulky, it is far better suited to keep you afloat and your head above the water even when you are unconscious. For more experienced riders who may be close to shore or can expect a quick rescue, a Type 2 would be the next best choice as it provides more freedom of movement.
I hope you found this article informative and educational in your hunt to find the best jet ski life jacket. See you out on the water and as always – ride safe.
