SEACHOICE Commercial Offshore Vest & Jacket, Fluorescent Orange, Reflective Panels

The Essentials of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) Strap In! Life jacket, life preserver, vest, buoyancy aid – these are all different names for the most essential piece of individual safety equipment on a boat: the wearable personal flotation device (PFD). PFDs come in a wide range of configurations and styles, making it challenging to navigate through all the options and arrive at the right purchasing decision. To assist you, we have prepared this comprehensive PFD buying guide to answer your questions and help you select the appropriate PFDs for your needs.

Sizing Matters By federal law, recreational boats must have one wearable PFD correctly sized for each person onboard. We offer infant, child, youth, and adult sizes based on weight and/or chest circumference. A loose or ill-fitting PFD may not perform as expected or, worse, may not be worn at all. We strongly recommend that you test the fit, especially for infants, children, and non-swimmers. To test, grasp the wearer's PFD at the shoulders and pull upward. If it rises above the wearer's chin or ears, it's too loose or too big. Either tighten the straps or go down one size.

Activity-Specific Considerations Wearable PFDs for recreational boating can be divided into two categories: general boating, worn when the wearer does not expect to get wet, and water sports, worn when contact with the water will most likely occur. Inflatable PFDs, which inflate automatically when submerged, belong in the first category, as do most inherently buoyant PFDs (vests filled with buoyant foam panels). Multi-sport and ski PFDs feature several adjustment points for a snug fit that won't shift or ride up in the event of high-speed impact with the water.

Wear It! It may seem obvious, but it's still true: An unworn PFD will be useless in an emergency. Half of all boating fatalities due to drowning occur close to shore in calm waters; in most cases, the life jackets were stowed, not worn. So don't just bring your PFD onboard, wear it!

PFD Sizing Chart Infant: Babies less than 30 lbs. Child: Weight: 33-55 lbs., Chest: 20-25 in. Youth: Weight: 55-88 lbs., Chest: 25-29 in. Adult Universal: Weight: 90 lbs. and up; Chest: 30-52 in. XL/XXL: Weight: 90 lbs. and up; Chest: 40-60 in. 3XL/4XL: Weight: 90 lbs. and up; Chest: 50-70 in.

Product Offerings General Purpose, Keyhole Inflatables, Multi-Sport, Ski, Commercial

Customer Reviews 4.2 out of 5 stars (83 reviews) 4.5 out of 5 stars (5,620 reviews) 4.0 out of 5 stars (7 reviews) 4.3 out of 5 stars (71 reviews) 4.6 out of 5 stars (213 reviews)

Pricing $31.35, $16.82, $69.99, $44.99, $52.99

In conclusion, selecting the right PFD is crucial for ensuring your safety on the water. By understanding the essential PFD features, sizing requirements, and activity-specific considerations, you can make an informed decision that will provide the necessary protection and give you peace of mind during your boating adventures.

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