There’s no excuse not to wear a life jacket on the water, and as your insurance agent, we strongly encourage you, and the passengers on your boat to wear one when you are on the water. Boaters enjoy the feel of sun and spray. So, it’s tempting to boat without wearing a life jacket. Regardless of your swimming ability, it’s important to wear a life jacket.

Life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Many are thin and flexible. Some are built right into fishing vests or hunter coats. Others are inflatable and compact as a scarf or fanny pack until they hit water, when they automatically fill with air.

Things to Know:

  • The best life jacket is the one you will wear.
  • Life jackets are designed to keep your head above water and help you remain in a position that permits proper breathing.
  • Some styles of life jackets are not intended for weak or non-swimmers (read the label and be honest).
  • To meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements, a recreational vessel must have a U.S. Coast Guard Approved life jacket for each person aboard.
  • Adult-sized life jackets will not be suitable for children.
  • When worn correctly, a foam filled life jacket will fit snuggly, and will not allow the life jacket to rise above the wearer’s chin or ears.
  • Foam filled life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once a year. Waterlogged, faded, or otherwise damaged life jackets should be discarded.
  • Inflatable life jackets should be maintained per the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Most adults only need 7 to 12 pounds of buoyancy to keep their heads above water.
  • If you are boating with your pets, you should have a life jacket for them as well.

Failure to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) or life jackets remains one of the largest contributing factors associated with boating deaths.  78% of boating incidents occurred during recreational activities such as fishing or power boating. Help keep yourself and those on your boat safe and enforce that everyone wears a life jacket!

We love to spend time on the water with our family, friends, and pets, but safety comes first. Taking time to review these safety precautions about life jackets, might just save a life!  We are looking forward to providing insurance coverage for all your boating needs. You can reach us at (610) 738-9400 or online at https://westtowninsurance.com/, or any of our social media channels.

Source: https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php and https://pleasurecraftoperatorcard.info/in-2000-boating-incidents-accounted-for-one-third-of-the-water-related-deaths-in-canada-147-out-of-a-total-of-472/